November 21, 2022

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Arc Mercer, Mercer County’s premier agency providing resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over seventy years, held its annual gala on Friday, November 18^th at 5:30 p.m., at The Stone Terrace in Hamilton.

Every fall at the annual gala The Arc Mercer seeks to raise awareness and support for the mission and to show appreciation for those who work on the front lines every day.

The Arc Mercer honored three Mercer County Mayors with the Mayoral Champion Award during the event.  Mayors Jeff Martin of Hamilton, Bert Steinmann of Ewing, and Reed Gusciora of Trenton were recognized for their enduring partnership and support of The Arc Mercer and its programs throughout the county. 

Mayors Steinmann and Gusciora are long-serving members of Arc Mercer’s board of Directors.  Through contributions by their administrations and the mayors themselves, the three have helped The Arc Mercer to expand their community-based homes, offer employment to hundreds of individuals, and provide cultural and recreational experiences to the special needs community.  Twelve of Arc Mercer’s nineteen homes are located within these communities.

Annual awards presented during the gala include: The Employee of the Year – John Strycharz, The Rising Star of the Year – Andrew Kesten, and The Dawn Carmosino Team Impact Award winner – Diana Parker.  These three individuals have gone above and beyond expectations, and were selected from over 250 nominations submitted during the year by Arc Mercer employees.

“The Gala is our chance to publicly recognize those who support our mission and exemplify why Arc Mercer is the premier agency serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Executive Director Steve Cook.  “This year, we are excited to announce that all proceeds raised in connection with this event will go towards LiberiArc, our project to open the first international chapter of The Arc of the US in Liberia.”

This year’s record-breaking fundraiser, which was simulcast to a sister-gala in Liberia, brought in over $200,000 which Mr. Cook has pledged to invest in the research, infrastructure, and staffing of The Arc’s most ambitious project to date.  Announced to much fanfare in July of this year, “LiberiArc will bring our standard of excellence to the special needs population in Liberia” according to Mr. Cook.

The Arc Mercer is a non-profit organization that has provided support and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Greater Mercer County region for more than seven decades. The Arc Mercer provides over 1,000 individuals with special needs, access to their community, specialized pre-vocational training, readily available job opportunities, specialized medical care, friendships and oftentimes, love. 

To learn more, or to support The Arc Mercer, visit www.arcmercer.org

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