32nd Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner highlights essence of Ulster-Greene ARC
Over one hundred guests came together for an evening of storytelling, dining and revelry; all in support of Ulster-Greene ARC. The event shined a light on both those who receive services from the Agency and those being honored as Humanitarians for their efforts in endorsing opportunities for those who are disabled “to live and experience full lives”.
For the first time, Ulster-Greene ARC has been awarded generous sponsorships thanks to Relph Benefit Advisors and Rifton Equipment. Both organizations had representatives on hand to be recognized and presented with certificates of appreciation.
Executive Director Laurie A. Kelley was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and made sure to keep everyone’s focus and heart on the mission of Ulster-Greene ARC. While celebrating the Co-Employees of the Year, she spoke of how every moment, even when cleaning out the agency refrigerator, is an opportunity to teach. This was an example used when acknowledging Brenda DeBaun who was unable to attend. She also spoke of when one of the agency’s service recipient needs help, the staff may choose to be with them, in the hospital, by their side, all night long, just like Co-Employee of the Year Kimberly Litts. Community spirit was highlighted by the Rosendale Senior Citizens Club, honoree of the Heart of Gold Award, who have made it a tradition of presenting an annual donation to the Brookside School each holiday season so that students may be given gifts. Kelley’s self-proclaimed favorite award, Personal Achievement, was presented to George Dodge for his transformation from quiet and shy to outgoing and personable, telling the crowd that he is the “King of the Bottles” at Ulster-Greene ARC’s Catskill Bottle and Can Return. The Jack Deyo Award was presented to Mark Storch for his commitment to advocate and take on the role of guardian for those who are supported in life by Ulster-Greene ARC. President and CEO of Rondout Savings Bank, James F. Davenport, represented the bank by accepting the Humanitarian of the Year award. Sharing how the origins of his relationship with Ulster-Greene ARC began even before he joined Rondout Savings Bank, Davenport graciously acknowledged each of the honorees and spoke of Rondout’s commitment to both the community, Ulster-Greene ARC and those who it supports.
A memorable night for all those who attended, it was provided the opportunity to communkity stakeholders, families, those supported by the agency and employees to remind each other of Ulster-Greene ARC’s goal… a full life for those with intellectual and other developmental disabitlies.
To become involved in the efforts of Ulster-Greene ARC’s Foundation, contact Kathy Bonelli, Events and Development Coordinator, at 845.331.4300 ext. 281.
ALCOA Grant Advances Learning at Brookside
Long after graduation, you can still give back to the school that nurtured your child.
Thanks to a $15,000 grant from Alcoa Fastening Systems in Kingston, preschool students at The Brookside School have brand new technology to help them learn the fundamentals before venturing off to kindergarten.
“Twenty-two years ago, my wife, Joni, and I were blessed with our son Sean. I can’t describe the emotions that were running through us when we were told he may never walk”, says Ron Chambers, Team Leader at Alcoa Fastening Systems. “It’s a school that truly works for the children’s best interest. The love and dedication that is given to each child, day in and day out, is utterly amazing. Seanie, our son, standing tall at 6’6”, would not be where he is today if not for Brookside’s care and dedication”.
On Thursday, April 18th, five employees of Alcoa Fastening Systems in Kingston got a firsthand view of their grant money at work. The Alcoa Fastening Systems group was accompanied by Brookside School graduate Sean Chambers, his brother Ron Jr. and his mom Joni.
The grant, awarded by the Alcoa Foundation, afforded Brookside School the opportunity to purchase eleven iStartSmart Mobile Learning Tablets for Kids from Hatch. Now each of the nine classrooms at Brookside School as well as the speech and occupational therapy department has a tablet with pre-programmed software designed specifically for students from four years of age, that engage them with games based on specific skill development areas including language development, alphabet knowledge, numeric operations, reasoning and logic.
“Each tablet is loaded with the names and photos of each student in the class. In order to ‘log in’, the student independently chooses his or her own photo / name. Once this is done, students are shown a second set of names and photos and asked to choose theirs again. This is how each student logs into the tablet. Once the student is logged in, the device will automatically track the lesson that they decide to play and how they answer each question. Our teachers can then review the progress of each student based on the type of lessons they choose. Each time the student logs in, the tablet offers different lessons and will increase in difficulty as the student masters easier ones”, explains Marcene Basch-Johnson, Director of Education at Brookside School.
“We are so very thankful for Alcoa Fastening Systems’ community giving and for the Chambers family’s commitment to Brookside.
Do you have a family member who was a graduate of The Brookside School? Are you interested in giving back? Contact Marcene at (845)687-7250.
Creating Opportunities and Jointly Benefiting
Employees of Catskill Bottle & Can Redemption Center (photo below) meet with Bob Hempstead, Superintendent of Highways & Parks for the Town of Cairo.
Town of Cairo is building a new playground at Angelo Canno Park and they are in need of monies to help fund this endeavor. Amazingly, the town did not realize that their recycling center had a stockpile of hidden money… Money in the form of New York State deposit bottles and cans! Now the Town of Cairo has an exclusive partnership with Ulster-Greene ARC’s Catskill Bottle & Can Redemption Center for the purposes of redeeming reimbursement for all New York State eligible containers that are brought to the Town of Cairo Recycling Center. It’s a win win for both sides as it provides needed business to Ulster-Greene ARC while eliminating extra work for the Town of Cairo.
Click here to check out The Daily Mail Newspaper online and see the photos and article that was created by Claude Haton.
Sign-Up for Future Mailings
Yes, I would like to receive updates and agency news.
Of Special Interest
Up-coming events
Ulster-Greene ARC is a private not-for-profit agency founded by families in 1956. We offer a full array of customized supports for intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals at twenty-five Residential Units and seven Day-Service sites in Ulster and Greene Counties.
Our Mission is to offer people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities opportunities to live and experience full lives.