The Weekend Recreation Club is generally open on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Activities include beach trips, fairs, shopping, movies, etc.

For more information, please contact ARC Community Services at 978-343-6662 or email us at .

ARC Christmas Choir

We are pleased to announce the formation of our own ARC Christmas Choir.

If you are interested in singing at the ARC Auction on November 15 and the ARC Christmas Dinner Dance on December 12, please join us on Saturday mornings from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm for rehearsals.

Rehearsals will be held October 4 through December 6, 2008, and will be held at ARC Community Services, 564 Main St., Fitchburg.

Individuals requiring one-to-one assistance must be accompanied throughout the rehearsals by family member/staff to be responsible for their needs; children under 18 will also need an adult to accompany them throughout the rehearsals.  

If you sign up, you must attend rehearsals regularly. Choir members with more than two unexcused absences will not be allowed to participate in the performances. All participants will need black pants and a white shirt to wear for the performances.

We invite and encourage staff or family members of all ages who enjoy singing to come along and join us. It is our hope to make this a fun event for every one, and also to show the general public just how talented the folks we serve really are.

To register, please send the registration form by September 26 to: Ruth Nicholson, ARC Community Services, Fitchburg, MA 01420

Please join us for the
Annual Christmas Dinner Dance 

Friday, December 12, 2008 — 6:00 to 10:00 pm
Fitchburg Senior Center
14 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg 

• Christmas Choir Performance at 6:30
• Dinner promptly at 6:45 — Baked Ham with Cherry Glaze
• Dancing 8:00 to 10:00 pm (Music by Rick Clouthier)

All individuals involved with ARC/Matson Vocational, Day, Residential, Recreational and/or Family Support Services, their families, providers and staff, along with ARC/MCS volunteers are cordially encouraged to attend.

• $25.00 per person
• Appropriate dress and reservations for dinner are required
• Those who miss the deadline may come for dancing at 8:30 pm ($5.00)

Please fill send the registration form by Monday, December 1, 2008 to: Eileen Ganong, ARC Community Services, 564 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

ARC Community Services  and Central Mass Families Organizing for Change (CMFOC) invite you to join them for

A Children’s Christmas Party

Saturday, December 13, 2008
1:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Fitchburg Senior Center
14 Wallace Ave, Fitchburg

• This party is open to all children with a diagnosed disability, up through age 12, and their family members.
• Refreshments will be served.  Plans include a coloring contest and music.
• Siblings are welcome to attend.
• Preregistration is required.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Santa will be making an appearance. Gifts will be provided for all pre-registered children through age 12. In order for children to receive a gift, the registration form must be returned by November 24.

Would you like to participate in this year’s
ARC GIVING TREE??

ARC’s Family Support Program is participating in a toy campaign!

ARC Community Services is again sponsoring a GIVING TREE to collect gifts for children with disabilities and their siblings and/or those experiencing financial difficulties or unusual needs during the holiday season. With the closing of The Cookie Jar, Premier Sub Shop, 500 Main St., Workers Credit Union, 815 Main St., and Rollstone Bank & Trust, 529 Electric Ave. and 486 John Fitch Highway have graciously agreed to host the Giving Tree for us. The trees will be up and decorated on November 12, 2008.

If YOU would like to participate, all you have to do is visit one of these locations and select an ornament tag from the tree; ornaments can be selected by individuals, families, work groups, programs, etc. Each tag will have the sex and age of a child needing gifts along with some suggestions for gifts that child might enjoy. Once you have shopped for the child whose tag you selected, please attach the tag to your UNWRAPPED gift/s and place them in the toy box near the giving tree. Our Family support staff will match the gifts and children and then our volunteers will wrap them, prior to the children receiving them in time for Christmas. We ask that all gifts be returned no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008.

Please consider stopping by Premier Sub, Worker’s Credit Union or Rollstone Bank & Trust, selecting an ornament and making a child’s Christmas brighter! Also, please thank these businesses for their generosity.