Capital Campaign Updates

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATES

KEY DATES THROUGHOUT MARC'S CAMPAIGN
October 2009	MARC Receives $375,000 Matching Grant from HFPG - Click here for full story
September 15, 2008	MARC Coin Drive is Underway - Click here for full story
August 6, 2008	MARC, Inc. closes purchase of 87 Sheldon Road Click here for full story
June 25, 2008	Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Scheduled: 7 PM at the Lincoln Center, 494 Main St. Manchester
	Unanimously Approved MARC's New Building Site
June 16, 2008	Planning & Zoning Meeting
	Unanimously Approved MARC's New Building Site
May 29, 2008	MARC, Inc. land purchase on the agenda of the Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing
May 8, 2008	Publicity Committee Formed Click here to see a full listing of members
	Committee will help MARC outreach to community and help with fundraising efforts.
April 14, 2008	Application for purchase of land sent to the Manchester Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals
March 3, 2008	MARC Lobbies to Pass Bill #498 - Public Health Committee Click here for full story
Feb. 8, 2007	MARC's Building Campaign Announced Click here for full story

$375,000 GRANT FOR MARC BUILDING AWARDED BY
HARTFORD FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC GIVING

MARC, Inc. of Manchester has received a $375,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to help build a new home for its programs and administrative offices on Sheldon Road in Manchester.

“We are excited that this grant from the Hartford Foundation will bring us closer to constructing a larger facility that will meet the needs of people with disabilities for years to come,” said Ken Charpentier, MARC’s executive director.

“MARC has a reputation for providing programs that empower and respect its clients," said Maria I. Mojica, vice president for programs at the Hartford Foundation. "This building project will ensure the continuation of those programs that so many people depend on."

MARC provides support to more than 275 people with developmental disabilities and their families in Manchester and 18 surrounding towns.

“As a result of the hard work of a caring and professional staff, our agency has experienced tremendous growth, both in the number of people served and the scope of services we provide,” said Charpentier. “With rapid expansion come a host of challenges, among them is the need for a larger facility.”

MARC has purchased five acres at 87 Sheldon Road, adjacent to the Manchester Post Office, and received town approval to construct a 25,600-square-foot building, approximately 70 percent larger than the current rented facility on West Middle Turnpike in the Manchester Parkade. A fund-raising campaign has begun for the $4.3 million project. Construction will not begin until the funds are raised. The Hartford Foundation grant is a challenge grant, meaning payment is conditioned on the goal being reached.

“The size of our current location cannot meet the growing demand for services in our community,” said Charpentier. “Without a larger facility, we will be required to limit or suspend the enrollment of additional people into our services. This concern is particularly relevant to our Senior Center, which has almost reached capacity in our current location.”

About MARC, Inc. of Manchester Founded in 1952, MARC, Inc. is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to advocacy on the local, state and national level for people with disabilities and their families.. We deliver diverse services to ensure that all people have the opportunity to enjoy their community according to their individual choices. MARC, Inc. is located at 352R West Middle Turnpike in Manchester, CT. Visit MARC’s website at www.marcct.org.

About Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region, dedicated to improving the quality of life for area residents. The Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals and families, and last year, awarded grants of more than $27 million to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations. For more information about the Hartford Foundation, visit www.hfpg.org or call 548-1888.

MARC COIN DRIVE UNDERWAY!!!

Look around at your local businesses to find canisters to fill with coins and dollar bills for the MARC, Inc. Building Campaign. Please consider dropping your change into these canisters to help the cause. As of February 23rd, we have collected $3386.46 from these canisters. This just shows that every penny counts. It adds up!!! The coin drive is just one of the many ways that MARC is trying to raise money for our new building. If you are a business that would like to house one of our canisters at you location, please call Regina Ricci or Kevin Zingler at (860)646-5718. Click here for a full list of participating businesses.

NEXT STOP...SHELDON ROAD

"Hurray!" shouted Justine Bagley as she inpsected the newly erected sign at 87 Sheldon Road, the site of the future home of MARC. "The sign looks good" noted George Malin, another participant in the MARC Senior Center.

The sign had only been up for less than a half hour and already a group of MARC seniors stopped by to admire it. For them, the sign represtented much more then just a sign to tell the community about MARC's land acquisition and building campaign, but rather a sign of hope for the future.

The hope beamed from their eyes, and the sense of pride and joy was evident in the way they walked on the property. They knew, along with those passing by, that there was a new opportunity to forever change the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families for generations to come. And with the community's help, the opportunity will be right around the corner.

On August 6, 2008, Ken Charpentier, Executive Director
of MARC, Inc. signs paperwork to officially acquire
ownership of 87 Sheldon Road for MARC, Inc.
Looking on is MARC's attorney, Leonard Jacobs
from Jacobs, Walker, Rice & Barry, LLC

MARC GOES TO THE STATE CAPITAL TO SUPPORT BOND BILL

Through the efforts of Ste Representatives Ryan Barry, Christopher Stone, Jack Thompson, and State Senator Mary Ann Handley, a bill was introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly to fund a new facility for MARC, Inc.of Manchester. The bond bill, referred to as Senate Bill 498 was unanimously supported by 30 legislators at the Public Health Committee, issued a joint favorable report and forwarded it to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee of both the House and Senate. However, due to a very tight State budget this year, much of the bond bills, such as ours, have been put on hold until next year.

Over 100 people packed the hearing room on March 3rd before the Public Health Committee in support of the bill. We would like to thank David Sheridan, Manchester resident and town director; Ken Charpentier, Executive Directorl Nate Agostinelli, MARC Board Member; Thomas McCann, self-advocate; Mary O'Connor, parent; and Ryan Barry, State Represtative for providing testimony and encouraging the Connecticut General Assembly to pass the bill.

Below are some excerpts of testimony provided:

"Because of MARC, I have learned, as have thousands of other people in town, that people with developmental disabilities have dreams, hopes, fears, and passions that are not unlike my own. I am a better person for it and so is the community."
-David Sheridan, Manchester Resident & Town Director

"Our society has come a long way during the past 56 years in recognizing the inherent right of all people to lead active, productive lives in our community based on individual choice. The walls have come down for people with developmental disabilities; many barriers to full participation in community life have been removed. No longer are people relegated to lives of seclusion based on a happenstance of birth. We have come a long way as a society but we still have work to do to arrive at the day when people with developmental disabilities are receognized as equally important members of our diverse and dynamic community" -Ken Charpentier, Executive Director of MARC

"Without MARC, I wouldn't have a job and be able to pay my bills, living in a condo, go to movies, orout to dinner, all the things that you, as legislators, can do to have a full and happy life." -Thomas McCann, Self Advocate

"There's nothing greater that we can do for anyone than helping people that are a little less fortunate than ourselves... Not only do we serve Manchester, but we serve the Greater Manchester area. So we have a wide circle of people that we help."
-Nate Agostinelli, Co-Chair, MARC Building Committee

"Our hope and dreams for Neil could not have been realized were it not for the professional guidance and attention provided from MARC, Inc. for Neil's personal and medical needs." -Mary O'Connor, Parent

"People with disabilities wouldn't be able to have jobs, go out and entertain, go out the movies, go out to dinner with friends, couldn't have the independence that we all take for granted. MARC, Inc. takes care of this."
-Ryan Barry, State Representative 12th District

To read the full testimony use the links below:

May 3rd Oral Testimony	Nate Agostinelli's Written Testimony
Ken Charpentier's Written Testimony	Thomas McCann's Written Testimony
Laurie Prytko's Written Testimony	David Sheridan 's Written Testimony

MARC ANNOUNCES BUILDING CAMPAIGN

On Thursday, February 1, 2007, over 130 people attended a community breakfast and press conference hosted by MARC, Inc. of Manchester at the Manchester Country Club to annouce a board resolution that was unanimously passed by the MARC Board of Directors on January 4, 2007. The resolution authorized the establishment of a Capital Campaignto raise funds for the procurement of property and the construction of a new facility.

A building committee, co-chaired by Nate Agostinelli and Laurie Prytko has been formed to begin the process of searching for a 5-8 acre parcel of land in the Town of Manchester.

At the press conference, Laurie Prytko, past Executive Director of MARC, described the progress and numerous partnerships with the community to help people with disabilities live, work, and enjoy their community. Following Laurie, Ken Charpentier, MARC's current Executive Director, provided an update on the variety of services provided and the need for expansion.

At the conclusion of Ken's presentation, Nate Agostinelli talked about the formation of the building committee, the search for land in Manchester and the need for community leaders to help serve on various sub-committees that will be formed. Nate ended his comments with, "This is a great project and one that the entire community can take pride in. Let's come together and do it."

Anyone interested in volunteering their time to serve on a subcommittee can contact Kevin Zingler at (860) 646-5718.