International Paper Volunteers Beautify Play Space for New JumpStart Preschool

Special thanks to International Paper for sending a team of volunteers on May 13 to spruce up the play space for The Arc Lane County's new JumpStart Preschool.

Volunteers Jeff Givens, Jodi Williams, Pat Leabo, Kevin Barr, Brian Renzi, Aaron Mueller, Matt West and Brian Gronseth spent a day spreading 68 yards of bark chips and beautifying the playspace for preschool-age children.

Enrollment for the JumpStart Preschool will open soon. Contact Annie for more information.
Columbia Bank to Host Toy Drive for Jumpstart Preschool

The Arc is gathering supplies for an inclusive preschool it will open soon for children ages three to five years. Columbia Bank will host a Supply Drive the weeks of May 24 through June 7. Simply purchase items and deliver to any local Columbia Bank Location or directly to The Arc Lane County at 4181 E Street in Springfield.

Alternately, visit the JumpStart Preschool Wish List on Amazon, purchase a toy and have it delivered to The Arc Lane County.
Familias en Conexión Parents Meet Virtually for First Time in More than a Year
Familias en Conexión, part of The Arc Lane County's family network, hosted its first virtual meeting on May 13 after a year of not meeting due to the COVID pandemic.

Thanks to a $10K donation from the Oregon Community Foundation, Familias en Conexión purchased iPads with Internet access to help connect Latinx parents who are raising children with disabilities.

Read how the Familias en Conexión virtual meeting helped reduce isolation and allowed parents to share resources with one another in a supportive environment.
Oregon Community Foundation Awards $40K to The Arc Lane County
Special thanks to the Oregon Community Foundation for awarding The Arc Lane County a $40K grant for the CARES Center. The Emil W. and Lois E. Brammert Fund and the Elizabeth S. Holden Fund of Oregon Community Foundation awarded $25K and $15K, respectively.

The Arc Lane County will use the funds to provide information, support, and resource coordination to underserved populations in Lane County, including Latinx families with a child who experiences intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
PacificSource Gives Large Gift to CARES Center
The PacificSource Foundation for Health Improvement gave $15K to The Arc Lane County for use in its CARES Center. The funds will be designated for the Ride United – Door Dash program that delivers food and resources to families and individuals who have barriers to visiting the CARES Center due to disability, lack of transportation or other barriers.
Roseburg Forest Products to Sponsor Auction on August 14
Roseburg Forest Products has signed on once again to sponsor The Arc's Play Your Part Auction this summer. We are thrilled to add them to our amazing list of auction sponsors.

The Arc also wants to thank Cabela's for the incredible package it put together for our live auction. Be sure to tune into our live event on August 14 to bid on this amazing outdoor package.

We can also use YOUR help. Please consider donating gift cards, experiences, vacation stays or specialized services to help us create more incredible auction packages. To donate, contact Laura.
The Arc U.S. to Host Webinar on Home and Community-based Services Act
The Arc U.S. will host a webinar on June 3 about the Home and Community-based Services Act that has been proposed in Congress.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience many barriers while trying to live and participate fully in their communities. The Home and Community-based Services Act (HAA) will help remove these barriers and provide ALL people with disabilities the supports they need to access their community.

Register now for The Home and Community-based Services Act: a Law 70 Years in the Making, and learn how you can help support this important bill.
Wildlife Safari Hosts Day of Discovery Event
Wildlife Safari's Day of Discovery event was a carefree and stress-free opportunity for people with disabilities to experience the animal park. Several families from The Arc's Families Connected program attended, with one parent praising Wildlife Safari for the wonderful experience.

"I've been to Wildlife Safari a zillion times, and I can honestly say, this was the most incredibly staffed day ever. It was so clear Wildlife Safari planned this special event with a lot of care and thought, and they did so much to make everyone feel welcome and happy."

Kudos to Wildlife Safari, its tremendous staff, volunteers and corporate sponsors who made this fun day possible!