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The United Arc January 2019 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

We hope you enjoyed all of December's holiday festivities. The month was jam packed with joy and cheer. The Greenfield Elks Lodge #1296 and the Greater Athol Area Advocates for Families with Special Needs (GAAAFSN) each hosted festive holiday parties for the individuals and families The United Arc serves in both Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region. Additionally, both the North Quabbin Friends and Friends In Common youth clubs celebrated the holidays with their annual Winter Wonderland Dance.

As we continue to digest all of the love, warmth and treats from December's festivities, we are eager to dive into all the great work we will do together in 2019. If you have not had an opportunity to read Francis' story there is no better time than the present. The possibilities are endless when you achieve with us!

Lynne Marie Bielecki
Executive Director

Living Life to the Fullest!

You may see him as Santa one day, bagging your groceries at Big Y another day or maybe greeting you at the door at the Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub some evening. Francis keeps himself busy. He is a board member, advocate, artist, caring family member and friend, volunteer and an all around fun guy.

Read Francis' full story by clicking the button below.

Francis' Story

Holiday Giving was a great success this year!

Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations who made donations this year.
With your generous contributions, we were able to provide gifts to 142 individuals.

Photographed above: Staff from The United Arc's Youth & Family Services Department accompanied by Annabelle from Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters.

"I am so grateful on behalf of our families to all of the donors whose generosity embodied the spirit of the season." -Sue Jones

Individual Donors:

Barb M.

Elaine M.

Ann D.

Gretchen K.

Betty B.

Jennifer M.

Businesses/Organizations:

United Way of Franklin County

Yankee Candle

Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters

Adopt-A-Family of Franklin County MA

Athol Congregational Church

The United Arc's Chat & Knit Group

Greenfield Family Medicine

Bernardston Kiwanis

Montague-Gill School District

Our Lady of Peace Church

BMP Greenfield Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine

The United Arc Staff Holiday Party

Greenfield Elks Hosted Holiday Party

GAAAFSN Hosted Holiday Party

Please welcome our new

Systems Administrator

Gordon Lovelace

Gordon Lovelace joined The United Arc Team on December 3rd as the new Systems Administrator. Gordon joins our team with a wealth of Information Technology (IT) work experience as well as experience teaching others. Gordon was born in Canada and became a U.S. citizen when he was a teenager. He graduated from Greenfield Community College (GCC) with a business management degree, and has loved working with computers since he was five years old. He is married to a wonderful woman who works with student veterans at GCC. They have three adult children and a 3-year-old grandson. Gordon now lives on top of Brush Mountain in Northfield, and enjoys spending time on his land. In his spare time, Gordon plays multiple musical instruments and appreciates many styles of music. Gordon is very excited to be working at the United Arc because he is able to help his colleagues and the community every day. He loves solving problems.

Friends In Common
Fridays - January 11th, 18th & 25th
6:00 - 8:00 pm

North Quabbin Friends
Saturdays - January 12th, 19th & 26th
12:00 - 2:00 pm

North Quabbin
Creative Adventures Club
January 17th & 31st
6:00 - 8:00 pm

Friends In Common
Fine Arts Club
January 9th & 23rd
6:00 - 8:00 pm

New Legislators and Supporting Families Day

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Massachusetts State House, Grand Staircase

The 41st Annual Legislative Reception

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Massachusetts State House, Great Hall

Family Support Centers

Franklin County - Turners Falls Office

January 17th - 3rd Thursday- 5:30 - 7:00 pm:
Franklin County Caregivers Night & Conversation

TBD - Watch for details on DDS 101 Training & AWC

North Quabbin - Athol Office

January 9th - Wednesday - 6:00 - 8:00 pm:
Supporting Challenging Behaviors w/ Rochelle Castell

January 10th - Thursday - 10:30 am: GAAAFSN Board Meeting

January 14th - 2nd Monday - 6:00 - 7:30 pm:
North Quabbin Resource Group - Self-facilitated Gathering

January 17th - 3rd Thursday - 6:00 - 8:00 pm:
North Quabbin Resource Group - Training/Workshop

Please be on the lookout for our flyers for January events!

Starry Starry Night Committee Thanks
The United Arc

Crystal Parent, Chairperson for the Orange Revitalization Partnership's Starry Starry Night Committee, which puts on the New Year's Eve events in Orange, MA, thanks The United Arc for allowing the committee to use the North Quabbin Family Support Center for their meetings.

Photographed is Crystal Parent Chairperson of Starry Starry Night and Sue Jones of The United Arc.

Tap into the Excitement:
The United Arc Annual Business Meeting

We are delighted to announce that Greenfield Cooperative Bank/Northampton Cooperative Bank Division will be our Lead Sponsor for The United Arc 2019 Annual Business Meeting at Terrazza Ristorante on May 16th. This event features The United Arc Awards, the election of the Board of Directors, and our Auction Kickoff. Become a member today to join us for this event. Contact Development & Events Coordinator Kristina at kristinatams@unitedarc.org for more information or to nominate someone for an award.

Sponsor The United Arc 2019 Gala & Auction

The United Arc Annual Gala & Auction will be held on Saturday, September 14 at Hadley Farms Meeting House.
We are proud to announce that Greenfield Cooperative Bank/Northampton Cooperative Bank Division will be again joining us as an Associate Sponsor.

Become a sponsor or donate a package by contacting
Development & Events Coordinator, Kristina Tams at kristinatams@unitedarc.org.