The Arc of Jefferson County

2011 Run or Walk for Someone Special was a HUGE success!!!

We are still floating on cloud nine here at The Arc of Jefferson County from our record breaking Run or Walk for Someone Special event held on Sunday, April 10th. We broke records for both participants and money raised. Our community, our businesses, our special needs population is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! We have been so blessed to have all of our operations for our summer camp programs funded by this event. Three camps, four vans, 8 acre camp ground, 2 buildings on our property and more... all taken care of because of YOU.. words do not do justice to how much we appreciate everyone involved.. And what a Planning Committee we have.. Thank You all for your HARD work to put on such a huge event. Pat Mowrey, Erin Cameron, Frank Hetrick, Vicki Howertown, John and Janet Stormer, Jean and Jen Roberts, Alice and John Orsich, Marie Elkin, Marcie Plyler, Cheryl Golembiowski, Ranee Sikora, Don and Sylvia Liedl

Record Breaking... There are so many people to thank for this year, we could never do it here in our little ole newletter. We had more than 100 new participants, raised more than $3,000 more than last year, had several new business donors step up and help us accomplish this and had new prizes donated that drew in more money at our Chinese Auction table than ever. A Special and Heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to Flatirons Development, LLC for donating $5,000 and being our major sponsor of this event for the second year in a row. This money covered ALL of our expenses from advertising, t-shirts, food and drinks. Thank you for your commitment to continue sponsoring this event for us next year!!

Other Sponsors we wish to recognize as donating more than $250 are: Blue Sky Realty, Sykesville, PA ~ J.R. Resources, L.P. Ringgold, PA ~Sykesville Lions Club ~S & T Banks, Punxsutawney, PA Northwest Savings Bank, Sykesville, PA ~Brownlee Lumber, Brookville, PA

Top Individual Fundraisers:
Josh Golembiowski $4688.00 ~ Mike Tattersall $1828.66 ~ Linda Lyons $1381.00 ~Jennifer Roberts $1275.00 ~ Ken Smith $1108.00

Top Team Fundraisers:
Will's Walkers $4164.31 ~Came So Far $1210.00 ~Erin Camerons Daycare $ 902.31 ~Punxsy Curves $ 842.00 ~ Mark Sicheri Graduation $500.00

Top Schools:
SSCD in Punxsy raised $1654 and Luthersburg Elementary raised $783.75

Winners of the raffle at the Run/Walk are:
Pat Ferko, Reynoldville $200 ~ Dave Pearce, Rossiter $100 ~Ray Woodruff, Kalkaska, MI $50 ~Marsha Pierce, Reynoldsville $50 ~Donna Adams, Punxsutawney $25

Why do we hold this event?? What is Camp Friendship??

Camp Friendship is an 8 acre property owned and operated by The Arc of Jefferson County. Here at Camp Friendship we hold 3 separate summer camps for children with special needs. One camp is for children from Punxsutawney area. Second camp is for children from Brockway/Brookville/DuBois areas. Third camp is for children with Autism.
On average it costs us $100 per camper per week to host them. Each day we offer them a nutritious snack and lunch, transportation, certified teachers to provide activities such as arts and crafts, nature study, fitness, and music. And most important of all, the opportunity to spend time with their peers, make new friends and have a great time.
ALL money raised at this event is kept right here... it is used for the summer camps, to maintain our camp property and landscaping, to keep our vehicles in good shape to safely transport the children and adults, and to bring trainings and workshops to our members.
As well as the summer camp programs, we also currently offer sign language workshops, a monthly parent support group/ playgroup for our children, a lending library stocked with Signing Times videos and several books, and trainings to benefit parents and caregivers.
We also offer an Adult Recreation Program that meets each Saturday, currently funded by MH/MR.

We are proud to be affiliated with The Arc of United States, The Arc of Pennsylvania and other local chapters of The Arc in the Commonwealth.