Melissa Mayer - Daily Sun - 7/17/07

Arc Rehab Services is an organization that depends upon volunteers and community support to operate.  The United Way agency's annual awards luncheon, which occurred Monday, is one way Arc Rehab thank people and companies in the community for its efforts its poured into the Arc.  "We get to celebrate the many good people and companies that help us fulfill our mission," said Arc Executive Director Brent Cardin.  "That mission is helping people with disabilities and others in need teach reach their maximum potential in their community.  For 37 years, Arc Rehab Services has been a part of the Boone County community.  Arc and its programs of First Steps, WIC, Mainstreet Enterprises, PCS and Job Connection is a not-for-profit corporation.

During the luncheon, Arc Board President Debra Easterday had each member of the Arc staff stand as she thanked them for their hard work.  "Due to your efforts last year, we served 145 people in our adult programs and 591 women, infants and children in Boone County," Easterday said.  The six awards presented during the luncheon went to the following individuals for their dedication to an important cause; Parky's Smokehouse was name Employer of the Year; American Ultraviolet was named Business of the Year, Paul Bowman was honored for 10 years of service at Arc, Jamey Hickson, Heritage Librarian and the Lebanon Public Library was named Community Partner award winner; Staff Person of the Year is Brenda Lesperance; and Volunteer of the Year is Steve Horton of Create-A-Tee company. 

In addition, a slew of dedicated volunteers this year brought the completion of a new building.  Arc celebrated of opening of a new facility, 819 W. Main St. with an open house last month.  "The big news this year is the completion of the new building for our adult services program called PCS," Easterday said.  "We've had quite a year, and we're pretty proud of it as you can tell." 

Pictured Below:  Back Left, Parky's Smokehouse catering manager Krista Lalas, owners Gary and Julie Parks, staff member Derick Edmondson and Kitchen Manager Jon Richardson, Parky's was named the Employer of the Year.  John Ostermeyer, General Manager of American Ultraviolet, which was name Business of the Year.  Front from left;  Paul Bowman, who was honored for 10 years of service at the Arc, Community Partner award winner Jamey Hickson and the Lebanon Public Library, Staff Person of the Year Brenda Lesperance and Volunteer of the Year Steve Horton.