November 2017
SPOTLIGHT on Marianna When their daughter was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome and a heart defect, Dan and Anjanette Rushing immediately sent up a prayer. Like most parents whose children are born with Down syndrome, the couple felt a wave of anguish upon learning of Marianna’s condition. Marianna – now five years old – has thrived, though, and is now enrolled in Pensacola Christian Academy’s K5 class. While the Rushings attribute much of Marianna’s success to their faith, it was The Arc Gateway’s Pearl Nelson Center (PNC) who provided the road map. When Marianna was two months old, she began working with Wendy Lawrence, an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist with PNC, during regular, weekly visits to the Rushing’s home. During these meetings, Lawrence continually educated the family on ways to stimulate Marianna and encourage her development. Jeannie Hoppe, a physical therapist with PNC, was also assigned to Marianna to provide instruction on Marianna’s motor skills. After a surgery at five months old to repair her heart defect, Hoppe was there
to help in the recovery process. Within the next year, Marianna learned to crawl and then walk. “We were so excited to see her progress and grateful for the continual encouragement and support we received from Vanessa, Wendy and Jeannie throughout the process,” said Anjanette. Marianna in a speech therapy session with Alita Fisher. At 18 months old, Marianna began seeing an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a speech therapist. The Rushings were thrilled with Marianna’s progression. “It has been a wonderful journey to see Marianna change and grow from a baby that couldn’t walk or talk to a big fiveyear-old,” Anjanette said. The Rushings admittedly felt discouraged at times throughout the arduousness of raising a child with Down Marianna in a physical therapy session syndrome, but throughout it all, the with Jeannie Hoppe. therapists of The Arc Gateway were there for guidance. It even became a family since subsided. atmosphere when Marianna’s three older “Our friends at the Pearl Nelson Center brothers began participating. have taught us through their constant Dan and Anjanette have learned a lot positive encouragement and hard work from their team at PNC, so much so that to believe that Marianna will accomplish those initial feelings of anguish have long great things,” Anjanette said.
Wreaths of Joy Gala November 30
at 5:30 p.m. Skopelos at New World
The Arc Gateway
The Arc Gateway Foundation is organizing the much anticipated Wreaths of Joy Gala, our largest annual fundraising event. Every year businesses, organizations and individuals gather at this highly regarded affair to enjoy a three-course dinner, entertainment, auctions, and more!
November 2017
A message from Missy... Great things are happening around The Arc Gateway!
The Arc Gateway recently received the 2017 Arc Florida Communication award. The Marketing Department was recognized for a successful rebrand effort which now allows the agency to align with the national logo. Also, we were acknowledged for extraordinary efforts in our promotional materials, newsletters, videos, website, social media, and fundraising activities. Congratulations to Emily Clutter for all her hard work, creativity and dedication. This honor would not have been possible without her vision for excellence. We are also excited to formally announce that we will be opening a day program in South Santa Rosa County. For many years, this area has been underserved in our region. There is a very limited number of providers to service Gulf Breeze and Navarre and anyone wishing to attend a day program must travel to another city to do so. With this new program, we will be able to support the residents of the south end of the county so they can be successful.
Missy Rogers,
Chief Executive Officer
In just a few short weeks, we will hold our Wreaths of Joy Gala. This premier event has become one of the largest fundraisers in our community. We are overwhelmed at the support from sponsorships, auction items and wreaths that have already been received. This year, you are able to bid on auction items even if you aren’t attending the gala. Look for a link to be sent out in the next few weeks. We are excited to host what we hope will be another successful event. These are just a few of the exciting stories we have to tell. Stay tuned for much more to come!
November 2017 Calendar Nov. 3-5 Adult Enrichment at Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival Fri & Sat. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sun 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 Poinsettia Pre-order Deadline
Thursday & Friday, Nov. 23-24 Thanksgiving Holiday Programs Closed Thursday, Nov. 30 Wreaths of Joy Gala 5:30 p.m. Skopelos
Tuesday, Nov. 10 Veteran’s Day (observed) Programs Closed
Tuesday, Dec. 5 Board of Directors Meeting 5:30 p.m. Administration Building
Wednesday, Nov. 15 Foundation Meeting 12 p.m. Administration Building
Thursday, Dec. 14 Tree of Lights 6 p.m. Pollak Training Center
Sunday, Nov. 19 Wreaths of Joy Sponsor Party 5-7 p.m. Palafox House
Find great gifts this holiday season while supporting The Arc Gateway Shop with Amazon Smile and designate The Arc Gateway. At no cost to you, we will receive a donation from Amazon equal to a portion of the purchase price. #StartWithaSmile and shop for great deals at www.smile.amazon.com/ch/59-0940528
Panhandle Charitable Open donation
Thursday, Dec. 15 Program for Adult Learning & Support (PALS) Graduation Ceremony 10 a.m. Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio
Florida Housing Grant Awarded We are excited to share that The Arc Gateway was awarded a Florida Housing Grant to rebuild our sixth Group Home. Lejeune will be rebuilt from the ground up, a 3,000-square foot, six-bedroom home that is 100% ADA compliant and accessible.
The Arc Gateway was honored to be chosen as a recipient of $2,000 of the record $280,000 raised during this year’s Panhandle Charitable Open.
Supported Employment celebrates milestones
Shuan
Bridgette
Richard
Supported Employment consumers Shaun and Bridgette started new jobs with SnackCrate this month. This is the first paying job for both Shaun and Bridgette, so we are very proud to be a part of this important first step. Congratulations Richard on your 10-year anniversary at Winn Dixie. For more information on The Arc Gateway’s Supported Employment Program and its benefits to the community, contact Jeff Weikert at jweikert@arc-gateway.org.
Healthy inspiration goes the distance
Donations Donations Pensacola Charitable Bingo Nurses on Call for Senior Adult Program D. B. Taylor Hal Cowen Donna Hoffman Ocia Polk for Senior Adult Program Merchant Services “Giveback Program” Michael Laven for Adult Enrichment Jazz Festival Table Heidi Badger-Chrisman Virginia Richmond Kim Hogan in thanks to Artie Shimek Panhandle Charitable Open In Memory of Peggy Joiner for Pollak Training Center Anne J. Westley In Memory of Robert Hamel Belle & Lewis Bear In Memory of John W. Gallimore Daniel & Linda Boyd Dean & Sandra Cheek In Memory of Michael Morelock H. Mallory & Martha Reeves Ann Oakey In Memory of Frank Cherry Bob & Melissa Dandridge
Bradley finishes Bridge-toBridge 5K.
Venessa and Bradley on campus between classes.
Healthy habits can be fun, rewarding, and addicting. Venessa, who works with The Arc Gateway as a peer mentor with the Program for Adult Learning and Support (PALS) at Pensacola State College, found this out personally when she took up walking and running about a year ago. She shared her enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle with Bradley, a PALS student. It started with talking about running and getting fit, then became an encouragement to do more. Now, Bradley just finished his first 5K in October. Congratulations Venessa and Bradley for inspiring each other to pursue a healthy lifestyle.
Plant Nursery Best of the Coast 2017 Thank you to everyone who voted for The Arc Gateway, Inc. for inweekly’s Best of the Coast 2017. We are proud to be the winner in the retail category for “Best Plant Nursery” as well as runner-up for “Best Non-Profit” and “Best Charity Event” for our Wreaths of Joy Gala. Thank you for your support. We couldn’t have done it without you.
To Thank the “Good Samaritan” in Prattville, AL Robin Shuman In Honor of the wedding of Cameron Northup & Nick Delgado The Broutin Family Bill & Sarah Hayes Belle & Lewis Bear Mrs. Rawle Ray, Sr. Mrs. Janis Smith Candy Holland Analisa Trstensky Paula & Pat Paterson Nancy B. Miller John & Sandra Thompson Mrs. Marion Brown Debbie & Roy Bass Mrs. Jane Winn Margie & Alan Moore Billy Kohlmann Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kahn Mick Northup Sylvia Bratcher Carolyn & Dickie Appleyard Robin & Bennett Shuman Non-Cash Contributions Val Harmon Karen Jenkins Mary Inman Ellen Vinson Debbie Hibberts Jean Nall Lynn Griffin O’Connor Management Group Michael Laven
Foundation Donations
In Memory of Dix Darby The Ralph Connell Family Ronald & Janice Hall Bob & Melissa Dandridge
Donations Pensacola Charitable Bingo Alfred I. DuPont Foundation, Inc.
Memberships
Individual Carol Beede Frances Garner David Sutton Jean White
Family Tina & Chuck Condon Fred & Clayton Knodel Patty & Steve Northup
Supporting Cindi & Chad Bonner Carol, Charles, Kevin Durbin Rich, Tina & Beth Marshall Vickie & Steve Smithee & Jared Morgan Patron Jane & Will Merrill Thad Robison
Become a member and/or donate online. Visit: www.arc-gateway.org/ways-to-give/
The Arc Gateway 3932 N. Tenth Ave. Pensacola, FL 32503 www.arc-gateway.org 850.434.2638
United Way Partner Agency
A S p e c i a l T h a n k s T o O u r C o r p o r at e S p o n s o r s !
18th
Annual
Thursday
December 14th 7:00 p.m.
at the Pollak Training Center 1000 E Fairfield Dr, Pensacola, FL