TINTON FALLS — The Arc of Monmouth’s Circle of Friends, a club of approximately 65 individuals with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities, spent the month of December spreading holiday cheer.
The club, a program that operates through the agency’s recreation department, participated in the holiday Adopt-a- Family program, which offers support to families through donations and club funds. In addition, they gave wrapped gifts to 97 individuals served by The Arc of Monmouth who otherwise would not have received a holiday present. The United Way’s Snowflake Wishes program, theAT&T Pioneers and clubs from Ocean Township, Colts Neck and Neptune high schools donated these gifts.
The Circle of Friends club also participated in the Festival of Trees at the Sheraton in Eatontown. This annual event at the hotel gives participating organizations the opportunity to erect and decorate a tree in a theme of their choice. The club members made the decorations for their tree, incorporating The Arc of Monmouth’s new logo and colors. The tree stayed up through the holidays, adding a festive atmosphere to the hotel.
Club members also set up a holiday tree in the lobby of the Arc Center, decorating it with new donated hats, scarves and gloves. If an individual is in need of such items, they simply take it off of the tree.
In honor of Circle of Friends’ 20th anniversary, members attended The Arc of Monmouth’s 45th Winter Glow Ball on Dec. 2. Every year, a table of served individuals is sponsored by the Janice Colondrillo Memorial Fund, set up by her parents after Janice died in 2007. Janice was an individual served by The Arc of Monmouth.
“We thought it was a perfect time to invite members of the Circle of Friends Club to the ball,” said CindyWiegers, director of recreation for The Arc of Monmouth. “The club is really thriving, and having some members at the ball was a wonderful way to celebrate their anniversary. To continue the celebration, we will be planning several events throughout the new year, including community service.”
The Arc of Monmouth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, annually serving more than 1,400 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with education, vocational training, residential services, health care, supported employment, recreation, individual and family supports, self-directed services and advocacy.
To learn more about The Arc of Monmouth, call 732-493-1919 or visit www.arcofmonmouth.org.