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MARC, Inc.’s Ride For Independence Roars Through the Streets of CT

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. Back to Top

Butter Braid Pastry and Cookie Dough Sale
to Benefit MARC Building Fund

MARC, Inc. of Manchester is pleased to announce that they are selling Butter Braid Pastry and Classic Breaks Cookie Dough to raise funds for MARC’s Building Fund.

Treat yourself to the homemade taste of a Butter Braid pastry! Hand-braided pastry is $11.00 each and is filled with your choice of 6 delicious flavors: Bavarian Cream, Apple, Blueberry Cream Cheese, Cinnamon, Cream Cheese or Raspberry. Made with 100% real butter and only the finest ingredients, your taste buds will surely thank you!

In addition to pastry, Classic Breaks Cookie Dough is available for sale for $11.00 per 2 lb package (32 cookies) and is available in 5 easy to bake flavors; Chocolate Chip, Macadamia Nut, Sugar, Oatmeal Raisin and Double Chocolate Chip. The cookie dough is frozen and pre-portioned, simply break and bake for a delicious warm snack!

The deadline to order pastry and/or cookie dough is noon on Monday, March 16th.

Orders can be placed online at www.marcct.org or by calling MARC at (860) 646-5718. All orders must be picked up between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30 th at MARC, Inc. of Manchester, 352R West Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT. Thank you in advance for your support! Back to Top

MARC, Inc. 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 in the cause. MARC, Inc. has recently purchased land on Sheldon Road in Manchester and needs to raise 4.375 million dollars to build their new home. The coin drive is just one of the many ways that MARC is trying to raise these funds.

If you are a local business and would like to participate in MARC’s Coin Drive, please contact Kevin Zingler at (860) 646-5718 or email to kzingler@marcct.org. Back to Top

MARC, Inc.’s Ride For Independence
Roars Through the Streets of CT

On August 9, 2008, MARC, Inc. of Manchester held their 1 st Annual Ride For Independence Poker Run raising over $865 for people with disabilities. The event sponsors were Gengras Motorcycles and Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC.

The ride began in East Hartford at Gengras Motorcycles then winded through the streets of Connecticut to stop at Guido’s in Manchester, the CT Trolley Museum in East Windsor, Harvest Country Kitchen in Ellington and then ended at Sun Valley Beach Club, Inc. in Stafford Springs where everyone enjoyed a cookout. The band, “Shovelhead”, was awesome jamming out classic rock music throughout the party. Many people even got up to dance and sing along with them. Everyone had a great time and is planning on coming to next year’s ride. Stay tuned for the announcement of the date.

We would like to thank all the sponsors of our event: Event Sponsors: Gengras Motorcycles & Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC; Poker Stop Sponsors: Connecticut Trolley Museum, Guido’s Car Hop Restaurant, Harvest Country Kitchens, Sun Valley Beach Club, Inc.; Full House Sponsors: Doug Henry; Flush Sponsors: Hot Leathers; Straight Sponsors: GCR Tire Centers: Bridgestone - Firestone; Three of a Kind Sponsors: Thomas & Patricia Ricci, Judy & Connie Schultz; Two Pair Sponsors: Allan S. Goodman, Inc., Bally Total Fitness, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Connecticut Trailers, Courtyard by Marriott, Cycle Gear, Ellington Golf Center, Inc., Full Sail Tattoo, Charles & Nancy Goding, Sr., Guido’s Car Hop Restaurant, Hall Memorial Library, Hometown Buffet, Hot Leathers, Jason & Patty Lemire, Manchester Super 8 Hotel & Conference Center, McAllister Motorcycle Safety School, Mickey Finn’s, M&R Liquors, New Image Printers, Inc., No Name Café, Pastori’s Restaurant, Poland Springs, Red Robin, Rich’s Drive-In, Rocco’s Restaurant, ROGO Distributors, Ron-a-Roll, Inc., Sam Bucca’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Shady Glen Dairy Stores, Inc., Shark Cycle, Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills, Stafford House of Pizza, Thunderbird Liquors, Worldwide Wine Cellars . Back to Top

MARC Youth Services Helps Students
Obtain Their High School Diploma

MARC, Inc. of Manchester’s Youth Services is pleased to announce that an end of the year celebration will be held on Tuesday,

June 3rd from Noon to 2 p.m. at the Pavilion in Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester. The celebration is being held to recognize the academic achievements of nine students in furthering their education.

MARC, Inc. Youth Services, funded by the SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc., is a collaborative effort between MARC, Inc.

of Manchester, the Manchester Board of Education and the Vernon Regional Adult Basic Education to provide support and the opportunity to earn up to three credits towards their high school diploma. Students enrolled in the program participate in a three part curriculum consisting of civic & citizenship responsibility, trainings in C.P.R., first aid, sign language and job search skills, and career planning and exploration with area business leaders.

Through this program, ALL five seniors will be receiving their high school diplomas. Four additional students, who are juniors, have earned the three credits towards graduation next year. Back to Top

Golf Tickets

MARC, Inc. of Manchester has tickets available for the Travelers Championship to be held June 16-22 for a discounted price of $20. Each ticket is valid for any one day. Fifty percent of sales goes to MARC, Inc to benefit people with disabilities. Tickets must be purchased by June 3. Tickets can be purchased online with a credit card. Visit www.marcct.org/donations.htm.
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Corey’s Catsup & Mustard Restaurant
Hosts Benefit For MARC

MARC, Inc. of Manchester is pleased to announce that Corey’s Catsup & Mustard, a burger bar located at 623 Main Street (former Dell’s Downtown Café location) in Manchester, will donate 15% of all sales on Monday, February 25 th to MARC, Inc. A menu for Catsup & Mustard can be viewed by visiting MARC’s website at www.marcct.org. Join us for lunch or dinner to raise funds to help people with disabilities live, work and enjoy their community.
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Discounted Wolf Pack Tickets
to Support MARC, Inc.

MARC, Inc. of Manchester is pleased to announce that the Hartford Wolf Pack have designated their upcoming game on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 7 p.m. vs. the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings Affiliate) as “MARC Night” at the XL Center (Hartford Civic Center), in Hartford, CT. 

A limited number of discounted seats in lower sections 117 & 118 normally priced at $23.00 each will be available to the public for only $17.00 each by contacting MARC, Inc. at (860) 646-5718.  Tickets can also be purchased on MARC’s website at www.marcct.org.  In order to receive discount, all tickets must be purchased through MARC, Inc. 

In addition to the discount offered by the Wolf Pack, a portion of each ticket purchased through MARC, Inc. will be donated by the Hartford Wolf Pack to fund respite services for people with disabilities. Back to Top