12th Annual After d'Arc Gala Raises Over $104,000 for The Arc NCR

The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region (The Arc NCR) hosted its 12th Annual After d’Arc Gala on March 19, 2016 at Water’s Edge Events Center in Belcamp, Maryland. This year’s event brought together more than 320 supporters for an evening in Bollywood, which raised money for The Arc NCR’s services for people with differing abilities in Harford and Cecil Counties. The gala is The Arc NCR’s most successful to-date, raising net proceeds over $104,000.

“I am overwhelmed by the amazing outpouring of support from Harford County each year at our gala,” says CEO of The Arc NCR, Shawn Kros. “Our attendees truly believe in our mission to empower people with differing abilities to live, work and play in the community.”

The gala’s title sponsor was Harford Mutual Insurance Company, with presenting sponsors Chesapeake Bank of Maryland and the Rotary Club of Aberdeen. The event was emceed by WXCY 103.7 FM’s Bob Bloom and WJZ’s Kristy Breslin. The Silent and Live Auctions featured exciting packages including the evening’s premier Live Auction package, “Outdoor Oasis.” In addition to the auctions, a lucky winner won a $5,000 shopping spree provided by Saxon’s Diamond Centers. Guests enjoyed a belly dance performance by Amartia, a Bollywood dance by Radha, Teja and Advaya Kausik, followed by Bollywood dance lessons from Vidya Kausik.

The evening also included the 4th Annual Fund the Need campaign, which focused on raising money for Assistive Technology. Assistive Technology helps people with differing abilities in their daily lives, and includes iPads/tablets, apps, large-print keyboards, weighted eating utensils, power wheelchairs and assistive reading devices. Attendees heard from Ron Shuford, who is now able to have a voice for the first time in his life thanks to Assistive Technology. Thanks to the generosity of the community, $23,000 was raised for Fund the Need!

Sponsors:

Title Sponsor: Harford Mutual Insurance Company

Presenting Sponsors:

Chesapeake Bank of Maryland

Rotary Club of Aberdeen

Jewelry Sponsor: Saxon’s Diamond Centers

Premier Sponsor: C.N.A.

Entertainment Sponsor: Plumtree Pharmacy

Web Design & Sponsor: WebIXI

VIP Reception Sponsor: Greene Construction

Décor Sponsor: Group Benefit Strategies

Ambassador Sponsors:

Absolute Investigative Services, Inc.

Harford County Government

M&T Bank

Morris & Ritchie Associates

Plaza Ford

PNC Bank

WXCY 103.7 FM

Patron Sponsors:

Advance Business Systems

Anonymous

AREAS

Elegant Restoration

I95 Business Magazine

Klein’s ShopRite of MD

McGuire Woods

Next Generation Mechanic, Inc.

Callegary & Steedman, P.A. Attorneys at Law

Associate Sponsors:

Acadia Windows & Doors

APG Federal Credit Union

Dennis F. Metz in Loving Memory of

His Son, Jason Jeffrey Metz

Ecotone, Inc.

Freedom Federal Credit Union

Gray Insurance Group

Maryland Environmental Service

Palumbo Insurance

Professional Care Pharmacy

Shaffer, McLauchlin & Stover, LLC

The Stewart Companies

In-kind sponsors included Flowers by Lucy, Bob Gilley, Nathan Rhodes, Alpha Graphics, Jay Edwards, Silent and Live Auction Donors, and Tim Reca of Video Accord. Thank you to Sizzling Bombay for hosting the gala’s pre-event.

The After d’Arc Planning Committee included Melody Bennett, Pat Chambers, Sho DuBois, Linda Flint, Katie Hargrove, Sue Manning, Diane Sengstacke, Lee Tayson and Season Voelker. After d’Arc is an annual gala - visit www.arcncr.org for updates on next spring’s event on April 1, 2017! Check out The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region’s Facebook page for beautiful photos of this year’s After d’Arc.

Photo by Nathan Rhodes.

Photo caption: Nadine Martinkus supports Ron Shuford as he speaks with The Arc NCR’s CEO, Shawn Kros, about Assistive Technology.