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| Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Arc, individuals win state awards
Published September 28, 2009
The Arc of Jackson County, as well as a local family and man were recipients of awards from the Arc of Alabama earlier this month.
The Family of the Year Award recognizes a family having a member with a cognitive, intellectual and/or developmental disability who has been an inspiration to other families. One of the Family of the Year Awards was presented to the Guerin Family—Edna Guerin and her sisters Edith Culver and Sue Baldwin of Section.
In the nomination form sent to the state, Arc administrator Sara Haynes said the sisters provide a stable home, making sure that Guerin is a fully-participating member of society. She said Culver and Baldwin are role models for other siblings of persons with intellectual disabilities, showing that it can be done and done well.
Haynes said Guerin separates her time with each sister, spending two weeks at a time at their homes.
“Now instead of being part of one family, she is truly part of both,” Haynes said.
“I have seen many families who think that their loved one will be cared for by a family member, only to find that the person has to adjust to losing their parent and adjust to a group home at the same time,” she continued. “This is one family where ingenious thinking on the part of siblings and a willingness to share their own families created a better life for one of their own.”
Lee Thompson of Scottsboro was awarded the Bill Sackter Citizenship Award, which recognizes outstanding individuals with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities who are achieving and included members of society.
Thompson was nominated for the honor by the staff of the Arc of Jackson County because of his volunteer work with the local fire department and also works with his church and the Christian Motorcycle Association.
Thompson has worked for the Arc's maintenance department for 13 years.
“Lee is a dear to all who know him,” Haynes said in her letter to nominate Thompson. “He has a great sense of humor, and you always know he will do the honorable thing. Lee is a great citizen of the year already to those who know him.”
The Arc of Alabama also presents Membership Awards to the local chapters of The Arc which “demonstrate excellence in membership development and recruitment for the year ending December 31, 2008.” The 2009 State Membership Award was presented to The Arc of Jackson County.
Taco Bell of Scottsboro was also named the Employer of the Year for utilizing people with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities in its work force.
According to a press release about the awards, the Arc of Alabama also recognizes the outstanding achievements by Media, Community Service Organizations, Educators, Employers, Families, Local Chapters, Professionals, Consumers, Volunteers and others who give tirelessly of themselves to improve the quality of life for all Alabama children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities and their families.
The honors were presented Friday, Sept. 11 at The Arc of Alabama annual convention in Pelham.
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