Arc Thrift Stores to Honor Individuals and Businesses who Support People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the 2015 “Born To Be Me!” Gala Event

News provided by

Avocet Communications

Sep 08, 2015, 08:00 ET

(PRWEB) September 08, 2015 -- “Born To Be Me!” Arc Thrift Stores’ annual star-studded gala honoring the spirit and individuality of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – as well as the individuals and businesses who support this important community – is scheduled for Saturday, September 26. This year’s theme is “Starstruck!”

Cocktails, an elegant dinner, fashion show, live music, AND a silent auction make for one of the most glittering events of the season!

Former Colorado Congressman Bob Beauprez and his wife Claudia are co-chairs of the event and will be on hand to MC the live auction. And, KUSA’s TaRhonda Thomas is the event’s emcee.

At this year’s event three “Heroes of the Year” – each with a disability and each nominated by their peers – will also be honored. This year’s Heroes are:

  • Vicky Kaiser, a fitting room attendant at Arc Thrift Stores’ Hancock store in Colorado Springs;
  • Dusty Lee Miles, a men’s clothing hanger at Arc Thrift Stores’ Pueblo store; and
  • Garret Ringie, a donation attendant and unloader at the Green Mountain Arc Thrift Store in Lakewood

(Interviews available upon request.)

WHAT: “BORN TO BE ME” Starstruck GALA
WHEN: Saturday, September 26 at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Tech Center, 7800 E. Tufts Avenue, Denver
TICKETS: Individual tickets are $150, with a discounted rate for young professionals (39 and younger)of $75. For more information or to register for the event, please visit http://www.blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp
Event code: arc926

STORY ANGLE: All of the items sold at the auction have been refurbished from items purchased at Arc Thrift Stores. These items are purchased for mere dollars at one of the stores and then up-cycled and given new life and new purpose! A great DIY story!

To set up an interview with one of our Heroes of the Year, or an ARC representative, please call Lisa Matzger at 720-771-4238 or email at lisametzger(at)avocetcommunictions(dot)com

BRIEF FACTS:

  • Nearly 4 million people shopped at the 23 Arc Thrift Stores last year.
  • Nearly 20 million items are sold in Arc Thrift Stores each year.
  • 20,000 people donate to Arc Thrift Stores on a weekly basis.
  • Over 1 million donations of clothing and household items were made to Arc Thrift stores in 2015.
  • Through the Arc operations, nearly 70 million pounds of unwanted clothing and household items are resold, recycled or diverted from the landfill each year.
  • Arc Thrift Stores employ over 1,400 people; nearly 250 of which are individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Arc Thrift Stores is one on the largest employers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of Colorado.
  • Since 1968, Arc Thrift Stores has been the funding arm for 13 Arc Chapters across the state of Colorado - providing approximately $55 million in support since 2005.
  • Arc Thrift Stores offers enrichment programs, job training and placement, as well as social activities for our employees with disabilities, known as Arc Ambassadors.
  • An estimated 4.6 million Americans have an intellectual or developmental disability; one in every 800 children is born each year with Down syndrome, three out of 1,000 have Cerebral Palsy and one out of 150 children are on the autism spectrum.

About Arc Thrift Stores: Arc Thrift Stores http://www.arcthrift.org operates 23 thrift stores and 15 “donation stations” throughout Colorado. Store operations provide funding to Arc Chapters, which in turn provide advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Arc Thrift Stores is one of the largest employers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of Colorado.

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Lisa Metzger, Avocet Communications, http://avocetcommunications.com/, +1 720-771-4238, [email protected]