Celebrate
We believe in inclusion in community life for people with disabilities. The Arc fosters social connections and relationships throughout the year through parties, gatherings, and other community events.
Annual Event
We gathered in person for the first time since 2019 on Saturday, June 11, 2022 for Arc in the Park at the Blacksburg Municipal Park (the Caboose Park). The afternoon of field games, blowing bubbles, face painting, pulled pork barbecue and hot dogs with all the fixin’s was so much fun and a great success! The main events were a Gift Card Raffle and the presentation of this year’s Renee Brown Award to our very own Robert Metz! Wonderful speeches were given by Robert’s friends and colleagues. The Raffle raised as much money as our past Annual Event fundraisers have raised and highlights all the great NRV businesses who donated gift cards.
Renee S. Brown Award
Traditionally awarded each spring at the Annual Event, and this year at Arc in the Park, the Renee S. Brown award shines a light on remarkable individuals in our community who embody the Arc’s vision: People with disabilities leading full, rich lives as active contributing members of the communities.” The award is named for Renee Brown, a former Board member of The Arc of NRV, and beloved member of the Blacksburg community. In 2022, we broke with tradition and nominated a sitting board member, Robert Metz whose legendary enthusiasm has touched so many lives. Heartwarming speeches were given by Robert’s former school principle and current pastor, Gary McCoy of Blacksburg Christian Church, his supervisor of 10 years at VT Dining Services, Charlene Mitchell, and his current supervisor at Lefty’s Main Street Grill, George Perkovich, where Robert has worked for 18 years and is still going strong!
The Christmas Cookie Party
Each December, our Board members, community members and friends get together to enjoy a tempting array of homemade cookies and other kinds of sweet treats as we sing along to holiday songs! This year we held our Cookie Party over Zoom as a decorating contest on December 13, 2020!
Join in the fun!
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