Submitted
CROSSVILLE —
Once again in 2011, The Arc of Cumberland County is the thankful recipient of a $5,000 grant from the MR Foundation of Tennessee, a Tennessee Knights of Columbus charity. This donation is earmarked for the Structured Athletics of Cumberland County year round sports program.
The Arc Cumberland County has a long-standing relationship with the Knights of Columbus Council 8152 going back more than 20 years. For a number of years, the Knights have provide volunteers at The Arc Special Olympic Track and Field Day each year and in many of the year round The Arc Structured Athletics team sports events. Many Knights and their families also support The Arc through individual memberships in the organization.
The check was presented to The Arc board member and SACC coordinator Andy O’Connor at the Nov. 10 meeting of local Knights of Columbus Council 8152 held in the Knights' Pavilion on Hwy. 70 East. The grant monies were obtained through the Tootsie Roll Drives held each year across the state in which Knights, their family members and volunteers spend hundreds of hours standing in front of local stores collecting donations from a generous community and who in turn receive a Tootsie Roll.
On hand for the presentation was Fred Laufenberg, a member of local Knights of Columbus Council 8152 who also on the MR Foundation Board. Laufenberg was instrumental in getting these grants processed and approved. Without his work these grants would not have been made possible. Thanks also go to Knight Denny Roy, longtime volunteer with The Arc sports programs who collaborated with The Arc in the writing of the 2011 grants.
The Arc truly appreciates the ongoing partnership of the Knights of Columbus Council 8152. According to the Arc, it is impossible to overstate how valuable the generous contributions of these loyal supporters are to them as well as the community. The Knights are believers in the mission of The Arc as evidenced in he their motto: "a Knight by their side." This motto is truly meaningful to The Arc family of the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who benefit from the programs of The Arc.
To learn more about The Arc and volunteer opportunities, visit the website at www.thearccumberlandcotn.org or call 456-0206.
