Every spring, David White, MBC’s talented birder and witticist extraordinaire, birdily champions a most worthy local cause, The Arc of the Piedmont, and asks us to support him in his Lark for the Arc marathon birding extravaganza. David outlines all details below.
Whooos looking at you? And what’s new?
Dear Friend:
Here’s what’s new: The Arc of the Piedmont will soon be moving crosstown to new digs with better spaces more specifically designed and better suited for the special needs of the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID and DD) that The Arc supports. This marks a successful three-year effort to improve the day-to-day experiences of our clientele and to better provide for their long-terms needs, as well.
Here’s what’s “old”: for 65 years the 501-c-3 non-profit Arc has been providing both long and short term care and services to some of our most vulnerable citizens including housing, medical oversight, day care with educational and socialization elements, 24/7 in-home care, and advocacy and legislative efforts at the state and federal levels.
As a non-profit The Arc continues to strive for adequate funding for the expensive and under-reimbursed services it provides. The fact that it continues to improve its facilities and maintain its level of excellent care is a mark of a fiscally sound organization. As always, the need for additional funding beyond the monies in the state budget is necessary. So what else is “old” you ask? Well, for the past 10 years, the Lark for The Arc has strived to help fill the gaps and now, in year eleven, we again turn to the Lark to see what it can bring home to add to The Arc’s “nest.”
A brief review: The Lark for The Arc is based on a long-standing “citizen science” bird count in which I will participate in early May. I will be asking for a donation based on the number of species that I identify that day in my designated area. The amount of a donation is up to the donor, of course; a typical goal is $1/species, “a buck a bird,” if you will, but amounts vary. Many folks just give a flat amount that fits their situation, and many of those contributions start to migrate to The Arc long before the Lark even flies! All donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law based on the 501-c-3 tax status of The Arc of the Piedmont.
Whether you care to make a donation based on the success of the bird count or to just make a gift based on your personal situation, there are two ways to do so:
1. Write a check to The Arc of the Piedmont. Mail it to 509 Park Street, Charlottesville VA 22902.
2. Visit The Arc’s secure website: www.arcpva.org and use your credit card.
Voila! You gave a hoot, and the lives of the folks supported by The Arc will be enhanced.
Donations of any size are very much appreciated and all gifts will be receipted.
Gratefully yours,
David
David I. White, Jr.
Volunteer, The Arc of the Piedmont
