It may not be looking a whole lot like Christmas… in fact, it’s a safe assumption that it’s not even beginning to look a lot like Halloween yet, so I won’t ask you to prematurely flip your calendar pages or make any entries in your planner in ink, but I am asking you to think about one way you could make a contribution to The Arc this holiday season.

Every year, from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve Day, The Arc of East Central Iowa sets up camp in the Lindale Mall Food Court, wrapping presents, informing the public about The Arc, and spreading holiday cheer. This annual fundraiser is certainly profitable to The Arc in the sense that it raises money to support our services and programs, but it is also profitable in the sense that we have 30 days in which to educate and interact with our community. “Wrapping for a Cause” also presents an opportunity for consumers, employees, families, and friends of The Arc to meet one another and interact in a friendly and festive environment- all the while providing a valuable service to The Arc.

Last year, more than 150 volunteers came together and helped us achieve a record breaking year for “Wrapping for a Cause.” This year we will have more than 250 shifts to fill, and we need your help! We know that not everyone is an expert wrapper, but we always need people to help with the cash register, keeping the booth free of clutter, and of course – people to keep our tape and bow supplies stocked!

This year, in addition to individual volunteers, we are looking for families, groups, or organizations (National Honor Society groups, Church Groups, Service Groups, Book Clubs, etc.) to volunteer to host a day. Hosts of the Day will be recognized on The Arc’s website, in The Challenger and will also be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate from Lindale Mall.

There’s no need to make a commitment now, but please keep volunteering in the back of your mind. Talk to your book club, your department at work, your family, or even a group of your friends who you haven’t seen in awhile, and suggest volunteering for “Wrapping for a Cause” this year. The time commitment is small, but the payoff is great!

If you have questions about the event or (even better) if you’d like to reserve a time to volunteer, please feel free to contact Jessica at (319) 365-0487 x1020 or jesch@arceci.org. Let the holidays begin!

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PDD/Asperger's Support Group

An informal meeting that includes time to share will take place from 4 - 6p.m. at Salem Church (225 1st Ave. S.W. - across from Dairy Queen). The purpose of PDD/Asperger’s meeting is to provide support and information for the parents of children with Asperger’s PDD diagnosis.

If you have questions, contact Beth Horth at 294-0993, Tim and Barb Soukup at 364-6173, or Melinda Kranig at 298-9590.

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HADSA
Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association

HADSA is an organization for individuals, friends, families, and professionals in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area that are affected by Down syndrome. Their mission is to provide education, support and advocacy, and through their efforts, enhance the quality of life for all individuals with Down syndrome.

HADSA strives to meet the following goals:

• To provide information, support, and contact for new parents.
• To provide accurate, current information, education, and support to parents and family members of individuals with Down syndrome.
• To increase community awareness of the capabilities and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome.
• To provide parent-to-parent or other direct family support.
• To provide advocacy for families and individuals.

Meeting Information

Meetings are usually held on the first Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. at The Arc of East Central Iowa in Cedar Rapids, or in Iowa City at CDD. Participants are encouraged to bring their own beverages and a snack to share. Children and families are welcome and encouraged. All meetings are held from 3-5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Childcare is provided. (If you plan on using the childcare provided, please call ahead toe ensure adequate childcare providers are available.)

Questions or More Information:

Visit www.hadsa.org or contact Dave or Amy Pasley at dpasley@hadsa.org, or Kristen Hatfield at kristenmaryhatfield@yahoo.com.

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Self Advocacy Do's and Dont's
2-1-1 Get Connected. Get Answers

One of the ways the United Way of East Central Iowa is making our community stronger is by creating new projects that help more people. One of these new projects includes United Way 2-1-1, a 24-hour hotline number and website for health and human services. United Way of East Central Iowa is a lead partner in providing 830,000 Iowans throughout 24 counties access to 2-1-1 – making it the largest call center in Iowa.

United Way 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that is similar to 9-1-1. 2-1-1 connects people to human services and community resources by guiding them to the appropriate community-based organization or government agency. The hotline is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assure help is available when it’s needed.

The 2-1-1 website is located at www.211Iowa.org. Visitors have access to resource information and support service information in a few easy steps.

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7th Annual Assistive Technology Expo
and Abilities in Action Conference

Individuals with disabilities, their family members and professionals working in the field of disabilities will have an opportunity to view the latest advancements in assistive technology devices and services for people with disabilities at the 7th Annual Assistive Technology Expo. The expo, which is scheduled in conjunction with the Abilities in Action Conference, will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Kirkwood Training and Outreach Services Center, 3375 Armar Drive, Marion.

Vendors will display and demonstrate the latest in home and vehicle modification techniques, as well as communication, mobility and other adaptive devices. The expo is free and is open to the public.

The Abilities in Action Conference will feature educational opportunities focusing on issues affecting individuals with disabilities. Sally Lemme, Educational Consultant with the Grant Wood Area Education Agency will provide the morning keynote address, and Judy Warth, Director of Training and Technical Assistance with Iowa Creative Employment Options will provide the afternoon keynote address. Concurrent training sessions will target three topic areas: Aging, Behavior and Community. One of the sessions will feature a panel of “self-advocates,” who will share information regarding their disabilities. CEUs and CEHs are pending. For more information about the conference, or to request a conference brochure, contact Tina Cottrell at Options of Linn County at 892-5800.