@ © oF & o & Jb The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, March 11, 1998 3 Arc leader gains fulfillment a « {rom helping hand to others By KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER Post Staff DALLAS - March is Mental Retardation Awareness Month and Karen Belli wants to make sure the community knows it. As president of The Arc of Luzerne County, formerly Association for Retarded Citizens, Belli and a slew of other volunteers are dedicated to community education and ad- vocacy. “We want to show that people with mental retardation are a vi- tal and important part of the com- munity,” said Belli of Dallas, who has been involved with The Arc since 1988 and has been presi- dent for nearly two years. Belli said she has always been inclined to help. “My mother said Iwas a natural teacher as a child.” Growing up in Chicago, Belli knew she wanted to be a school teacher from a young age. She pictured herself teaching conven- tional students in the conven- tional way, but a summer job during her college years changed her plans. Belli worked at a camp for adults with developmental dis- abilities and discovered who she really wanted to help. She graduated from Mundelein College in Chicago, with a degree in Sociology and education. She's since worked for a variety of orga- nizations, including, Social Ser- . vices, United Cerebral Palsy and the Education Opportunity Cen- ter. In addition to being The Arc’s president, Belli is currently ex- ecutive director of the Deutsche Institute, a small non-profit orga- nization that provides recreational opportunities for people with dis- abilities. The Deutsche Institute has an office at College Misericordia and in Scranton. It runs recreational programs for all age groups throughout the week. “I like The Arc and Deutsche Institute because you get to go outside the classroom,” said Belli. There is an overlap by the people involved with both organizations. The Arc is a non-profit organi- zation that has been helping people with mental retardation: and their families for more than 40, years. CS 100th Infantry looking for men The 100th Infantry Division As- sociation is looking for men who served in the division from 1942 to 1946 in World War II. The division fought in France and Germany in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central European campaigns. Over 30,000 men served in the 100th “Century” Division which trained at’ Ft. Jackson, SC and Ft. Bragg, NC before going oversas to join the Seventh Army. Veterans of the division have reunions each year. In 1998 re- union will be in Pittsburgh in September. Former members can obtain more information by calling (215) 699-9498 or writing William H. Young, Jr., 307 N. Main St., North Wales, PA 19454-2505. Slocum Insurance Agency, Inc. 575 Memorial Hwy. Dallas, PA 18612 675-1167 Combine your auto and homeowners insurance policies Comprehensive Coverage CNA's Universal Security Policy Se Noy Ga 2 Competitive Rates ~ “I like The Arc and Deutsche Institute because you get lassroom.” ~Karen Belli President, The Arc Arc works for advocacy. This means working to assure each person with mental retardation the opportunity to maximize full participation in all aspects of com- munity life. Arc informs and as- sists students, parents and orga- nizations on educational issues and works to assure that every- one receives quality services to reach their potential. Belli said Arc does many things to ensure people are taken care of and not taken advantage of. Arc will attend meetings at schools with parents to make sure the child is getting what they need to succeed. Also, Arc will help people from out-of-state find places to live and help in cases of abuse. “We monitor the quality of pro- grams in Luzerne County and protect the rights of people,” said Belli. Arc also monitors legislation, holds support groups, work in- centive programs and art pro- grams. It has an all volunteer board of directors who come from a variety of backgrounds. “The board is an interesting mix and cross-section,” said Belli. The 22-person board includes bankers, lawyers, recreational therapists and parents. Cindy Lefko of Wyoming, Arc vice-president, said many people are not quite sure what mental retardation is. “It’s surprising how many people don’t know the difference between mental illness and mental retardation,” said Lefko, who works for CoreStates Bank and has a degree in special education. “We try to let people know that people have mental retardation, but they are not re- tarded people.” “Mental retardation is defined “as impaired mental development which originates either before or during birth or early childhood. It At The Arc’s home office in Wilkes-Barre, seated, from left, Faith Oneu, volunteer and Cindy Lefko, vice-president. Standing, Sherry Pudim, volunteer and Karen Belli, president. results in a slowness or limitation in intellectual development, emo- tional or social development and in academic and vocational progress,” states an Arc pamphlet. Lefko said people on the board educate others in their field who might never have known what Arc is and who it benefits. Sherry Pudim of Exeter is a person who benefits from Arc. She has been involved with the organization since she was a child, her mother is an Arc director. “It helps the people. If anyone has a problem they can come here,” she said, as she ran to answer the office phone. Pudim has worked at the Arc office in Wilkes-Barre for two years. Faith Oneu, who has Down syndrome, has worked as a vol- unteer in the Arc office for three years. She does a little of every- thing there. “I like to help the clients here and help out the rest of the staff,” she said. Three out of every 100 children born this year in the United States will be born or become mentally retarded. Six million people na- tionally are mentally retarded, more than 350,000 in Pennsylva- nia, and more than 10,500 in ~ Luzerne County. Arc is a vast resource for fami- lies and individuals, said Lefko. “If anyone has a friend or relative with mental retardation, we can be their first step and direct them in the right direction.” To become an Arc member, volunteer or to get more informa- tion, call 829-7953. I i — —, —_ ._-.|,’ Mental Retardation Awareness Month activities sponsored by The Arc: * Sun. March 15, Sabbath/Sunday Interfaith Service will be held for people with mental retardation, their families and friends. The service will be held at St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre. * Tues. March 17, noon, Open Board Meeting will be held at Perugino’s Restaurant in Luzerne. * Sun. March 29, 2 p.m., Springtime Basket Bingo will be held in the Bishop O'Reilly gym. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $10, + includes three cards per game. * Wed. April 29, 7-9 p.m., Valley With A Heart Hop to be held at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes-Barre. Admission is a canned goods donation or monetary donation. Also, the Back Mountain Police Association will hold its annual all-you-can- eat breakfast Sunday, April 26 at Dallas high School. All proceeds benefit The Arc. Cost is $5 per adult and $2.50 for children, ages 3-12, under 3 free. Tickets are available by calling Sgt. Daniel Hunsinger at 288-4576 or by contacting any B.M.P.A. member. Tickets will also be available at the door. For more information on these events or to find out about other events . going on throughout the month, call 829-7953. A Real Hometown Paper you can feel good about The Dallas Post Can't Find Things To Do? March Classes How Registering! KIDS K\ LBS AT MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS TRUCKSVILLE 696-4755 We Have Special Dance and Vocal Classes just for 3 &4 yr. olds too! Jean Gill's Beauty Salon 139 Davenport St., Dallas Thursday & Friday by appt. only 675-4085 a “TRAIN for a NEW CAREER at lied Medical and Technical Careers.’ Tunkhannock Campus! Daytime classes begin Marc ns classes begin April 15,1 998 Class sizes are limited! Call the (Allied Medical and Gechnical Careers Tunkhannock an appt. for more information! of Technology as a decentralized facilty of the Edwardsville Campus. h 16, 1998 Campus* at 717-298-2566 to set-up saccredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges ‘We do! look good! Steven's ‘Town We're fabricare specialists and we take great pride in making you look good. We do everything we can to please you and keep you coming back. This means giving you more in quality drycleaning and personalized service...and making you & Country Cleaners Check out our New Store Hours Monday - Friday 6:00am - 7pm ® Sat. 7am - 5 pm The Professional Edge * The Personal Touch Steven's Town & Country Cleaners Country Club Shopping Ctr. « 675-0468 Take Pride in Your Clothes f “a, 4 Eo oF : A member of the International Fabricare Institute, the association of professional drycleaners and launderers. J Ein Orienteering Club to meet March 21 The Pocono Orienteering Club (POC) will hold its first event of the 1998 season on March 21 at Frances Slocum State Park. Participants can register and start any time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The entry fee is $5 per map and small groups such as families can use one map. Compasses can be rented for 50 cents. Instruction is available at all times. Four different courses will be available for varying levels. Events are held regardless of weather, so proper ! clothing and footwear are recommended. In orienteering, participants use a detailed five-color map and a compass to locate control locations in the park. Recreational and competitive categories are available. Beginner courses remain on well- marked hiking trails. : For more information, contact Sid or Cydney/Halso at 696-4413. - For oon | COOK'S St. Patrick's Day... “Irish Potatoes” PHARMACY, in half-pound boxes ( at ® Computerized Prescription Service ® Russell Stover Candies ® Greeting Cards * PA Lottery Tickets ® Newspapers ®* Magazines avanaugh's andy hoppe 954 Wyoming Ave. Forty Fort, Pa. -NOW AVAILABLE- OUR FAMOUS EASTER EGSS IN 8 DELICIOUS FLAVORS OPEN DAILY 10-8 « SUNDAY 1-5 159 N. MemorialHwy., Shavertown, PA (675-1191 )) Rice's Dog House at Pendragon Center 155-165 S. Memorial Hwy., Trucksville Next to 360° Communications "Home of the Bigger & Better Dogs" ) Phone orders Welcome. Call 696-4449 Guaranteed to Make Your Tail Wag! Belles Construction Co. Bb “Providing Quality Work Since 1957” * GENERAL CARPENTRY CERTAINTEED’S OUTSTANDING PEERS * KITCHENS ; iy x BATHROOMS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER “£70 ° * ROOFING ——— ; * SIDING Featured in “Quality Remodeler * REPLACEMENT WINDOWS FREE ESTIMATES 824-7220 Magazine in 1997 &1998 and Certainteed Siding Products Catalog or retirement. At this free Merrill Lynch seminar, we'll discuss the many ways you can handle the lump-sum distribution you will receive from your retirement plan due to job change You owe it to yourself to take advantage of our exten- sive retirement planning experience. Attend this free seminar. For more information or to reserve a seat, call the number below. | The Difference is Merrill Lynch. Yoss Country Complex) If you are unable to attend and want a Free Retirement Plan or more information, Please Call 1-800-234-5381 Gary Crisci of Merrill Lynch, Wilkes-Barre, PA. THE DIFFERENCE IS PLANNING If you want to know Can I afford to retire? Can I take a Distribution Before 59 1/2 without a Penalty? If you are retired and unhappy with your account. Attend a free Merrill Lynch Seminar that will help you answer these questions and more. errill Lynch | It seats are limited. at 1-800-234-5381", MERRILL LYNCH
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers