FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TARC ANNOUNCES 2015 BOARD MEMBERS

TOPEKA, Kan. (February 2, 2015)- TARC is pleased to announce the 2015 Board Members. Board members were elected at the Annual Meeting, November 24, 2014.

TARC Foundation Board:

Ann Shelton (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas), President
Matthew Bergmann (Frieden, Unrein & Forbes LLP), Vice President
Travis Stryker (CAS Constructors, LLC), Secretary
Kim Savage (Westar Energy), Treasurer
Ken Scott (Capitol Federal Savings), Past President
Carolyn Annand (Hill’s Pet Nutrition), Trustee
Ron Gwaltney (Westar Energy), Trustee
Tom Lemon (Cavanaugh & Lemon PA), Trustee
Keith Mazachek (Washburn University), Trustee

1. Lou Bjorgaard Probasco (Probasco & Associates, Inc.), Trustee
   Andrew Wiechen (Architect One, PA), Trustee

TARC, Inc. Board of Directors:

Barb Duncan (Stormont-Vail HealthCare), President

Joell Chockley (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas), President Elect

Mike Morse (KS Commercial Real Estate Services), Past President
Richard Martinez (Kansas Department of Commerce), Secretary
Mike Kongs (Stormont-Vail HealthCare), Treasurer
Virginia Lockhart, Director Emeritus
Mary “Mert” Bradshaw (Community Volunteer), Director
Jim Colson (City of Topeka), Director
Judy Dowd (Cotton O’Neil Dermatology Clinic), Director
Carol Huffman (Policy Studies), Director
Karen Moore (Educational Credit Union), Director
Mike Munson (Gay, Riordan, Fincher, Munson & Sinclair, PA), Director
Bruce Myers (Midway Wholesale), Director
Curt Sittenauer (Curt A. Sittenauer, CPA, P.A.) Director

###

TARC is a not-for-profit service organization that works to enhance the lives of people with developmental and related disabilities and their families, with service, support, advocacy and community involvement.

TOPEKA, Kan. (November 17) – TARC, Inc. will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of crucial renovations. The newly renovated Virginia Geers building enhanced their existing space to allow TARC to continue to serve and support for generations to come. The 11,000 square-foot space served had become inadequate for the current population being supported. The redesign and renovation of TARC’s Day and Senior Services program area (The Geers Building) provides a more comfortable space for service and support. The renovations included:

• Fully Functional Kitchen that will enhance their existing Life Skills Classes to help those served to continue to gain independence,
• An open concept layout, to create a home-like setting for those served,
• Addition of ADA Compliant Restrooms that can accommodate Hoyer lifts and ensure privacy,
• Hydrotherapy pool for children, adults and seniors with intellectual, development and related disabilities,
• An Art Center to allow those we serve to participate in a structured art class and be able to express themselves through art,
• A health center that provides a private space for serving those with high medical needs such as tube feedings and medication administration by a nurse,
• Technology center equipped with iPads and Mac computers that meet a variety of needs to help the adults served and supported to gain independence.

The $2.1 million critical renovations allows TARC to meet the changing needs of adults and seniors with intellectual, developmental and related disabilities with respect and dignity for generations to come. TARC’s ribbon cutting is on the 96th anniversary of Ethel May Miller’s birthday. Miller was TARC’s first executive director, who throughout her years of dedicated work was honored with many prestigious awards. Between 1959 and 1990, Miller was appointed by five different Kansas governors to serve on every committee, council and commission the State of Kansas had for those with intellectual and developmental delays and in 1962 she served on President Kennedy’s Task Force. Miller dedicated her life to those with developmental, intellectual and related disabilities. “This year marks a major milestone for TARC,” said Eileen Doran, executive director. “We celebrate sixty years of providing excellent service, support and advocacy while looking toward the ever changing needs of those we serve. Our new space in Geers will allow us to continue to provide excellent services while meeting the needs of those we support.” # # # TARC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides service, support, advocacy and community involvement to over 2,500 infants, children, adults and seniors with developmental and related disabilities throughout the Topeka and Shawnee County community. Story from KSNT News:

Scarecrows popping up around town

TOPEKA, Kan. (October 2, 2014) –Topekans are seeing an influx of scarecrows decorating front yards in Topeka and the surrounding communities. These scarecrows aren’t your average fall decorations.

The scarecrows are adorned with TARC logos and are working to help spread awareness of Down Syndrome. Scarecrowed for TARC kicked off Monday, Sept. 22 and will run through the month of October. Individuals in the community have placed scarecrows in the yards of those they’ve challenged to help spread awareness of TARC and Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Those challenged are asked to make a donation to TARC, post a picture of their scarecrow to TARC’s Facebook page and pass along to the next yard.

There are more than 400,000 people living with Down Syndrome in the United State of America. Down Syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down Syndrome such as low muscle tone and smaller stature. Every person with Down Syndrome is unique and may possess these characteristics in different degrees or not at all.

“We love seeing scarecrows around town raising awareness for TARC and for Down Syndrome Month,” said Barbara Duncan, TARC operating board president. “We are thrilled by the response of our community to participate in Scarecrowed for TARC, we have 65 scarecrows that have temporary homes and are out spreading awareness for the month of October.”

# # #

TARC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides service, support, advocacy and community involvement to over 2,500 infants, children, adults and seniors with developmental and related disabilities throughout the Topeka and Shawnee County community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   TARC TO HOST JOURNEY OF HOPE CYCLISTS   TOPEKA, Kan. (July 2, 2014) – A 4,200 mile ride with a purpose – TARC is set to host the Journey of Hope cyclists Sunday, July 6. The Journey of Hope cyclists consist of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity men from across the US who commit to raise awareness and funds for people with disabilities in hopes to increase their quality of life. TARC invites the public to meet the inspirational athletes and welcome them to the Topeka community.   The Journey of Hope cyclists will arrive at TARC’s administrative building, 2701 SW Randolph Avenue, Topeka on Sunday, July 6 at about 1:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. This year, the Journey of Hope cyclists will attend the Topeka Senators game on July 6 at 4:30 p.m. A cyclist will throw the first pitch at Jerry Roberts Field at Bettis Family Complex, 3025 SE Croco Road, Topeka. General Admission for the Topeka Senators Game is $5.00 General Admission and $1.00 Child’s Admission. TARC is a not-for-profit service organization that works to enhance the lives of people with developmental and related disabilities and their families, with service, support, advocacy and community involvement. See below for a complete Schedule of Events Schedule of Events July 6-7 – Journey of Hope Cyclists July 6, 2014

• 12:30 p.m. | Welcome Journey of Hope Riders | TARC, Inc. Administrative Building | Free

• 4:30 p.m. | Senators v. Monarch’s Game | Jerry Roberts Field at Bettis Family Complex | $5.00 General Admission – $1.00 Child Admission

July 7, 2014

• 6:00 a.m. | Journey of Hope Riders Send Off | TARC, 2701 SW Randolph, Topeka | Free

Story via KSNT News:

Story Via KSNT News: