Vanguard, Autumn 1999

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The year 1999 has been kind to The Arc-South Bay: Southwest Industries has assisted over 100 businesses with subcontract work; the enrollment of both of our Adult Development Centers has grown; Southwest House is at full capacity; and we continue to provide a strong leisure activities program.

As we approach the end of the calendar year we can look back and see that The Arc-South Bay has reaped tangible benefits due in large part to the GENEROSITY of YOU, our members! We were able, because of your financial support, to provide our programs with some of their needed "wish list" items during 1999.

The Adult Development Centers at Gardena and Hermosa received fax machines and miscellaneous donations to offset the costs of consumer parties and excursions; and Southwest House was painted on the inside, with help from the South Bay Sunrise Rotary Club (and they have promised a new fence for the property in the near future)! Southwest Industries received some new work stools and seven L-bar sealers, and the Administrative offices purchased five new computers and a refurbished copy machine.

Still, there are needs that have not yet been fulfilled, and December is our Annual Pledge Campaign month, when you can make a difference for next year. As in the past, we know that you, our members and other supporters, will continue to show your approval and support of The Arc-South Bay through your generous donations to this worthy campaign. We now have the capability to receive your contributions via credit card, which can make your giving even easier.

Whatever amount you are able to give when the pledge letter arrives, we know that your support is given with kindness from the heart. And for that we sincerely say, "THANK YOU!"

As we near the end of 1999 and our 40th year, we look forward to not only a New Year but also a New Millennium, serving ALL individuals with developmental disabilities. I would like to take this opportunity, along with all the members of the Board of Directors, to wish each of you and your family’s health and happiness in the New Year!

Lyn O'Neill-Burton

40th Gala a Huge Success

If you did not attend the 40th Anniversary Celebration, shame on you for missing the party of the year (maybe the century)! Studded with dignitaries and our very own special people, the party was hugely successful. Judy Baron started us off on the right note with the invocation, which she wrote especially for the event. (And did a wonderful job, I might add.) After a delicious buffet dinner and informative program, a ceremonial cake cutting took place with participants Senator Debra Bowen, Past President Shirley Thurman and son Larry, and Floyd S. "Pete" Hathaway. After cake, attendees danced off the calories to the tunes of DJ Galactic Productions.

One of the highlights of the evening was the granting of our very first Lifetime Achievement Award to Floyd S. "Pete" Hathaway.

The award was meant to be a surprise and he WAS surprised! For those of you who were in attendance, "good job" keeping it a secret. The only other two individuals receiving awards were Edna Mae Harville and Danny Cappelli (in absentia) for 30 years of employment.

A historical slide show with decade by decade commentary was the main course of the event. Viewers were treated to pictures of our programs from the very earliest days through the present time.

The Arc-South Bay’s 40th Anniversary Celebration may have come and gone, but not our legacy of service to people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. If you did not attend the Gala, you may purchase a Keepsake Program for $5.00. The book is 32 pages long, with both black/white and color photos of consumers, staff and volunteers (including parents, of course). There is a detailed history of the Arc, along with historic memorabilia. You will find it well worth the $5.00. (Each of our facilities has a preview copy available.) To order your copy, send your $5 to Judy Senter at the Arc Administration office, 1735 W. Rosecrans Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249. (Please make checks payable to The Arc-South Bay.)

Many thanks are due to all of our generous friends who either made donations in lieu of attendance, donated or purchased silent auction items, or purchased ads for the keepsake program. The silent auction, the Arc’s first, netted $2000 and engendered a lot of good-natured bidding, and the ads for the Keepsake Program covered most of the printing cost (there was a hefty donation from our printer, International Speed Print, too). Congratulations and many thank you’s to the committee who worked so hard to produce the gala: Lyn O’Neill-Burton, Ann Ramirez, Judy Senter, Mary Leuci, Edythe Crawford and Michele Cole-Franks.

BEWARE CHARITY FRAUD

The majority of charities are just what they seem – worthy organizations that assist the needy and challenged. But because of a small number of shady operators, consumers need to ask the right questions and know where to check to be sure that their donation is going to the cause they wish to support.

To ensure your donation goes to a legitimate charity, consumers can contact the National Charities Information Bureau by calling 212-929-6300 or by writing them at 19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003. Additionally, when consumers receive a call requesting a donation to an unfamiliar charity they can ask the charity for the organization’s annual report and financial statement. If the caller is reluctant to provide this information, be on your guard.

Other warning signs include:

• An organization which will only take cash donations.
• Charity representative asks you to make check out in their name, not the organization’s; always make check out to the organization.
• Organizations that use a name which sounds like another well-known charity.
• Solicitor who pressures you to send an immediate donation; do not accept any offers to have a courier come by your house to pick up your donation.
• A charity that offers valuable prizes in return for an additional contribution.

In a similar vein, we are pleased to announce that The Arc-U.S. is declared in compliance with "all standards" of the National Charities Information Bureau in the Fall 1998 Edition of Wise Giving Guide. The designation reflects positively on Arc local chapters as well.

Giving can be a wonderful experience, but when you give, give with your head as well as with your heart.

** Thanks to Redondo Beach’s Senior News for the information in the above article.

ARC BOARD ACTION TAKEN

At its October and November meetings, The Arc-South Bay Board of Directors approved some changes to the bylaws. Many of these were cosmetic, but a significant change was made to the nominating/election procedure for the Board of Directors. The November membership meeting is no longer mandatory, and the nominating of candidates for election will be done by mail. This change is the result of a declining interest in the nominating process as it was. Members of the association will soon receive information regarding the new procedure.

If you wish to view the changes, you may request a copy of the revisions by calling the Arc administration office at 310-532-6333, ext. 221, or viewing them at our website at www.lafn.org/community/arcsobay click on news). Also new on the Arc website - links to disability resources and organizations.

"SPECIAL BLESSING"

Dedicated to all parents of children with special needs from Ann P. Grant, member and parent.

"A special task I have for you,"

God said, "It’s a job that only you can do.

A special person I will give to you.

My Special Children need love too.

She will not like her sisters be,

But you’ll find joy in her, just wait and see.

‘I love you Mommie’ she may never say,

Just give you love in her special way.

A special blessing will come with this task."

"How can I do the job Lord," I humbly asked.

"It won’t be easy, but I’ll see you through.

This task was designed just for you.

Her look will be different and her walk not straight.

But she is special, a blessing I did create.

I know you will have sorrow and there will be pain.

This I promise, you do have a great reward to gain.

Your family and friends will stand with you, yes, they will be there,

And her special love they will also share.

This special blessing I give to you.

Because I know a special job you will do."

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try." – Beverly Sills

 

TRUCK DONATED TO ARC

Paul Kang, former Treasurer of the Board, obtained a donated truck for us through Michael Han, one of his business acquaintances.

The used truck is a bobtail, very similar to the truck used for Southwest Industries, and an additional truck will come in very handy for delivery and pickups.

We deeply appreciate the generosity of Michael Han in donating the truck.

 

FIREWORKS BOOTH A KNOCKOUT!

For the 4th of July, 1999, The Arc-South Bay was fortunate enough to secure a fireworks booth on the site of Food-4-Less on Artesia in Gardena. We shared the work and the proceeds with the Gardena Valley Kiwanis Club and still exceeded our expectations by netting over $11,000. Thank you to all who helped by purchasing fireworks from our booth. Watch for us next July in the same location.

THREE CHEERS FOR ROTARY

The Sunrise Rotary Club of South Bay-Torrance has officially adopted our Southwest House in Torrance as a service project.

Their first foray into the house was in the early summer when club members took a Saturday and repainted the upstairs inside. Armed with brushes, rollers and donuts, they painted up a storm. Their next project is the replacement of the fence. This project is expected to occur in the next few months.

Our hats are off to this club for their "Service Above Self." to the Arc-South Bay. The residents and staff of the house are very appreciative.

Due to increased donations last year, the House also recently got new carpeting and blinds.

 

"I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE WORD TO YOU…

…plastics." So said Mr. McGuire to Benjamin in "The Graduate." And we took his advice. The Arc-South Bay now accepts credit card donations (including memberships over $15.00 and pledges). If you would like to make a donation to The Arc using MasterCard or Visa, please fill out the form on the back of this newsletter and mail or fax it to us.

If you have questions about this process, please call Judy at 310-532-6333, ext. 226.

MEMORIAL GIFTS FOR 1998-99

For our fiscal year October 1, 1998-September 30, 1999, the following memorial gifts were made to The Arc-South Bay:

In Memory of Diane Wickersham:

Mary Ayer

In Memory of Frank Ruiz

Kenneth Gronlund

Runway Inc.

Rosemary Dzida

Mary Hernandez

Lydia Hegg

Ruth Kahn

Ann Ramirez

Sylvia Cameron

Marguerite Thacheray

In Memory of Michael Kaskay:

Margaret Pulver

APD Financial

Loyce Dravigne

Mary Ann Belfy

Robert Catalanotti

A memorial gift is a caring way to remember a loved one, especially someone who has benefited from The Arc, or someone who has devoted their time and efforts to serving our population. Is there someone you would like to remember in this way?

When you make a memorial donation, The Arc-South Bay will send an acknowledgement card to the family of the deceased.