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3rd Annual Trick or Trot

On Saturday, October 28th, The Arc of the Ozarks held it’s Third Annual Trick or Trot 5k, 10k, and One Mile Fun Run. The cold weather did not stop 80 runners and 13 sponsors from coming out to support The Arc. The race took place at Landreth Park in Joplin at 8am to raise awareness and funding for individuals with disabilities receiving services through The Arc’s Joplin Division.

The 5K, 10K and One Mile Fun Run took runners through the beautiful trails at the park. TwelveOne Race Management partnered with The Arc to provide timing services. The costume contest brought out the Halloween spirit in everyone. Our costume winners were Forest Gump and his “followers.” Following the race, prizes were awarded for top runners overall along with age division medals. Our overall winners for the 5K were Alex Brownstein with a time of 22:10 and Lauren Joyner with a time of 23:04. Our 10K overall finishers included: David Wilden with a time of 42:55 and Lindsay Maize with a time of 50:42.  

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Third Annual Trick or Trot. We look forward to next year!   

https://runsignup.com/race/results/?raceId=53296&remMeAttempt=#resultSetId-99962

Board Member Recognized at Drury University

Warren Davis, a member of The Arc of the Ozarks Board of Directors since 2008 recently received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Achievement from Drury University. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes alumni of Drury University whose life and accomplishments have earned the respect of their industry, profession or community. The Award is given to a person whose accomplishments, service and engagement embody both the University’s and the Alumni Council’s mission and values.

The Arc is proud to have such an influential member of the community on our Board. Congratulations, Mr. Davis.

Drury University 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

Warren has a passion for education and hard work. He earned a bachelor’s in Business from Drury in 1959 and completed his MBA in 1966. Confident he would be an asset to his father’s Bolivar-based business, Warren returned to his hometown after graduation to work at Orval Davis Tire Company. With relentless determination, Warren advanced through the ranks to eventually become President of the growing company. After 31 dedicated years, an opportunity arose for Warren to retire and sell the business. True to his hard working roots, Warren couldn’t take it easy for long. Recognizing his love for real estate, Warren established Davis Properties, in 1994, and an entrepreneur was born. With the purchase of the Woodruff and McDaniel buildings, along with the acquisition of the Heers and Park Central Office buildings, Davis Properties is today one of the largest property owners in downtown Springfield. With diligence and integrity, Warren has achieved lifetime success.

3rd Annual Trick or Trot coming up on October 28th

Join us for our 3rd Annual Trick or Trot on October 28th! Sign up for either our 5k, 10k, or 1 mile fun run! Be sure to wear your best costume to get into the Halloween Spirit. There will be awards for best costume. All funds raised from this event will go directly to services provided in and around Joplin. This year at the Joplin Trick or Trot Race we will be assigning each runner to a team captain. Each team captain receives services from our Joplin office and will be at the race to cheer you on.

Registration is open until Thursday, October 26th at 11:59pm. Packet Pickup will be held at the Joplin Division office on Friday, October 27th from 4pm -7pm. Address: 1515 West 10th Street Joplin, MO. You may also pick up your packet on race day from 6:45am -7:30am at Landreth Park.

Register here.

Nacho Average DSP Week

This year’s DSP week was held September 10th-16th. The Arc celebrated their direct support staff throughout the week in various ways. The theme this year was “Nacho Average DSP”.

The Arc Administration provided a nacho bar lunch to over 500 support staff at four of the divisions; Springfield, Monett, Kansas City and Joplin. During these luncheons staff were able to participate in fun games like sombrero ring toss and bust the piñata. Staff were also entered to receive door prizes and were given Sonic gift cards upon arrival.

Management staff over each team also held parties throughout the week at their various locations to say thank you to their specific teams. Each staff was given the chance to relax and enjoy a break from work for a moment.

The Arc employs roughly 1,000 Direct Support Professionals. Newly hired Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are required to complete over 40 hours of training including: Orientation, Medication Administration, CPR, First Aid, Mandt, Abuse and Neglect, Documentation and additional specialized trainings specific to the individuals they work with. Behavior Support Technicians (BSTs) work with individuals with autism or a dual diagnosis. They complete additional classes in Applied Behavioral Analysis principles and topics specific to their unique needs. In addition to classes, training for new support staff include on-the-job training with shadow shifts and weekly meetings with their supervisors.

As the back bone of this organization, The Arc continues to make improvements and strives to recognize its DSPs for the important job they do every day. DSP week is one small way The Arc can truly say thank you.

Annual Sporting Clays Shoot Had A Great Turnout

The Arc of the Ozarks’ annual Sporting Clays Shoot took place Saturday, August 19th and proved to be another success. The event was held at Ozark Shooters in Branson. With the help of a strong committee, the event raised almost $7,000 for The ISL (Individual Supported Living) Start-Up- Fund. The fund is used for things like deposits on new apartments, furniture and various moving expenses not otherwise covered. The Arc was thrilled with a wonderful turnout of 111 shooters. The event could not have happened without such a great location and host, Ozark Shooters, and a wonderful group of people from across the community with a passion to help The Arc.  

Central States Industrial (CSI) who has been a lead sponsor for many years, brought out 31 shooters to the event. The Arc hopes to continue to grow this event into two sessions of shooters next year to help raise awareness about The Arc. Congratulations to the overall top shooter, Chris Ferris, who won with a score of 95. Ferris took home the first-place price of $75 in Bass Pro gift cards. The rest of the scores can be found below. Next year’s shoot is set for August 18th, 2018.

Scores

The Arc Sponsored Go Blue FORE Autism Day

Sunday, August 13th was the last day of the Price Cutter Charity Championship Golf Tournament (PCCC). Despite the excessive rain, many spectators attended to watch a great game of golf and support their favorite local charities. This was the PCCC’s 28th year and 47 local children’s charities were involved. The Arc of the Ozarks has been involved with the tournament for 12 years. The Arc sponsored Championship Sunday, Go Blue FORE Autism Day for the 3rd year, as well as, VIP Parking for the entire tournament. The Arc was set up at the 18th green under a big blue tent. Information about The Arc’s autism services was handed out along with blue goodies. Blueberries and cream popcorn donated by Ozark Mountain Popcorn as well as blue doughnuts from Krispy Kreme were a huge hit. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to wear blue to show support for The Arc and increase autism awareness. Families affected by autism were admitted free. 

The champion of the Price Cutter Charity Championship, Ben Silverman shot a 25-under-par and a 263 to win it, earning a $121,500 payday. He also found out he received his PGA card the final day of the tournament.

Over the course of the weekend, thousands of people came out to the tournament and supported organizations such as The Arc of the Ozarks, Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks and The Hope Foundation. All of the funds raised were directed to programs each organization offers for children. The Arc’s No Limits Summer Camp program will benefit from our participation in this event. The 28th Annual Price Cutter Charity Championship was a huge success. We look forward to next year.

Terry Has Cookies with the Governor

On Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 Terry attended the 2017 Mental Health Champions’ Awards Banquet in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was nominated by Mary Hawkins and although he was not selected, he was honored for being nominated.

The afternoon of June 14th he was given a special tour of the Governor’s office and then of the Governor’s Mansion. The Governor left moments before he arrived to tour his home so he left a copy of his book with a special note to Terry included. The Mansions Chef gave him a few of the Governor’s favorite chocolate chip cookies, too. Terry toured the Capital Building, the train station and a museum of photos taken throughout Missouri. Before leaving on Thursday he walked around Lincoln University. Terry told his staff that one day he would like to go to school at the University.

Terry went to the Capital Plaza Hotel for the banquet that evening. Terry hyped up the crowd by moving his hands for the crowd to cheer for him as he walked across the stage to receive his nominee award. It was an amazing opportunity and experience for both him.

NuMotion Repairs Wheelchairs at The Arc

Today, August 3, 2017, NuMotion Wheelchair Repair was set up from 10am- 2pm at The Arc of the Ozarks’ Program Services Office fixing and cleaning client’s wheelchairs free of charge. Taking two at a time, NuMotion assisted The Arc’s individuals with tune ups, cleaning and overall maintenance. From work on breaks, tightening bolts or ordering parts, the NuMotion technicians took great care with each repair and the interacted with the individuals and staff beautifully. NuMotion was able to service a total of 18 wheelchairs.

“Many of the individuals in Residential have adaptive equipment and they are so excited to have the opportunity to have their wheelchairs worked on. They do not normally have access to this type of resource, so this is a big deal,” stated Abby Simek, Assistant Director of Residential Services.

Partnerships like these not only mean a lot to the clients, but they mean a great deal to The Arc. Opportunities like this are a wonderful way to support businesses doing great things in the community and raise awareness for the needs of the clients we serve. We are thankful for their services today and hope to continue this event annually.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Good things come to those who wait. This statement came true this week for Janice. Over the last few years Janice has been on the hunt for different volunteering opportunities. Not just anything would do as Janice really enjoys office type work. It has been a goal of hers to find something new that she would feel great about doing and could give back to her community.  Janice’s Shift Supervisor in her home, Kendra Ridpath, encouraged Janice and her 1 on 1 staff to be looking for new opportunities when in the community. This hunt took years and was an ongoing task during her weekly 1 on 1 outings.

Every Monday, Janice and her 1 on 1 staff, Susi Meredith, would go to the library to research volunteer opportunities. As it turns out that opportunity was right under their noses.  Recently during Janice’s weekly trip to the library Susi noticed a sign asking for volunteers at the library.  After doing a little research Janice along with her staff applied for the volunteer program.  Janice and Susi were accepted.  Janice is extremely excited and proud to be volunteering for Greene County Public Library. Her family and staff at The Arc of The Ozarks are extremely proud of her too.