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The Arc seeks partners to brighten the holidays for its clients

  • Atlantic County

PROVIDED/Employees from Hard Rock Casino Hotel load gifts they donated during the Holiday Partners Campaign.

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The Arc of Atlantic County is seeking community support to make the holidays bright for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Thanksgiving and Adopt-A-Family Holiday Partners Program is seeking Thanksgiving meals and holiday gifts for more than 150 people living in Atlantic County.

Holiday partners can include businesses, individuals, families, schools, community groups, service organizations, employee resource groups, and others who epitomize the spirit of giving by providing meals, gifts and monetary assistance to individuals and families who would otherwise go without. This is a fun and meaningful way to give back as a family, group of friends, club or office.

Our Holiday Partners program is in full swing, and we're asking the community to help us provide holiday meals and gifts for people who use our services, Director of Clinical Services Rebecca Reed said in a release. People with disabilities are challenged with access to transportation and the finances to shop for food or be able to provide gifts during the holidays. The Holiday Partners Program provides a meaningful way to give back so that everyone we serve can enjoy the simple joys of the holidays and the spirit of the season.

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 13. Monetary donations will be used to purchase Thanksgiving meals, holiday gifts, and gift cards for those in need.

The Parrish family (center) is pictured with their donation of 10 Thanksgiving turkey dinners for families.

This year, Holiday Partners can view individual or family wish lists at roonga.com/holidaypartners2023, where donors can select a family or individual to adopt, then follow the links or directions to purchase gifts. You can choose to wrap and deliver the gifts yourself, or a team of holiday helpers will assist.

Individuals residing in The Arc of Atlantic County's residential programs are also in need and included in the wish lists. Items needed most are clothing, shoes, pajamas, socks, games, gift cards and more. Each donation helps make the holiday season a little brighter for people living with disabilities.

The Arc volunteers will be on hand noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at The Quarter at Tropicana to wrap gifts purchased at retail stores in The Quarter. Donations will also be accepted.

Donate online at thearcatlantic.org/donations or via check mailed to The Arc of Atlantic County, Attn: Holiday Partners, 6550 Delilah Road, Suite 101, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234.

For more information, or to adopt a family, contact Rebecca Reed, Director of Clinical Services, at 609-485-0800 ext. 175 or [email protected].