Winter Wonderland title sponsor announced - September 2016

What: Winter Wonderland Sponsorship Presentation

Where: TARC, 2701 SW Randolph, Topeka

When: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016 | 2 pm

TARC, Inc. will be presented with the title sponsor donation of $15,000 by Mitch Miller, president of Dynamic Computer Solutions (DCS). Winter Wonderland is a 2 mile light display that benefits TARC, Inc. a non-for profit that provides service, support and advocacy to 2,500 children, families and adults with developmental, intellectual or related disabilities in Shawnee County. The holiday light display opens November 23 and is open from 6 to 10 pm nightly until December 31. All proceeds from the event directly benefit TARC’s programming that includes: Assistive Technology, Children’s Services, Day Services, Targeted Case Management, TARC Industries and Employment Services and Self-Determination, the only program of its kind in the state of Kansas. DCS has presented Winter Wonderland for four years.

Miller will be available for comment after the presentation as well as Eileen Doran, TARC, Inc. executive director.

Little Free Library to be dedicated at TARC - September 2016

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY DEDICATION AT TARC
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 | 5:00 PM
WHERE: Topeka Active 20/30 Club’s Wright Place to Play Playground at TARC, 2701 SW Randolph, Topeka.

TOPEKA, Kan. (Sept. 26, 2016) – A lemonade stand to benefit TARC continues to provide for the Children in Shawnee County. A Little Free Library was installed at the Topeka Active 20/30 Club’s Wright Place to Play Playground earlier this month.

Six-year-old Cameron Moore held his Second Annual Easton Moore Memorial Lemonade Stand to benefit TARC. The Lemonade stand started in 2015 when Cameron learned he could make a great cup of lemonade. He set out to earn money to purchase a scooter, but wanted to give back to TARC and their Children’s Services Program who provided crucial early intervention services to his brother, Easton Moore.

Cameron said he wanted to have the lemonade stand so other kids like his brother could receive the help they need. His lemonade stand has raised over $7,000 to benefit TARC’s Children’s Services in memory of his brother who passed away from a rare genetic disease.

This year, Cameron decided to build a Free Little Library for the Topeka Active 20/30 Club’s Wright Place to Play Playground at TARC. The accessible playground is used by many of the families who have received services at TARC.

A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small wooden box of books. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. Little Free Library book exchanges have a unique, personal touch. The Moore Family designed and painted the Little Free Library to memorialize and remember Easton.

WIBW Chris Fisher's Sporting Clays for Kids - a perfect shot - August 2016
Story Via: WIBW 13 News
Journey of Hope cyclists to visit TARC - July 2016

TARC TO HOST JOURNEY OF HOPE CYCLISTS

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (July 12, 2016) – A 4,200 mile ride with a purpose – TARC is set to host the Journey of Hope cyclists Sunday, July 17. 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 GEERS building, 2701 SW Randolph Avenue, Topeka on Sunday, July 17 at about 12:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Each year, TARC hosts the Journey of Hope Cyclist who raise money and awareness for individuals with disabilities. The members of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity annually raise more than $500,000 to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. The journey is service beyond self and the men of Pi Kappa Phi have been dedicated to people with disabilities since 1977.

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 17-18  – Journey of Hope Cyclists

July 17, 2016

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

 

July 18, 2016

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

 

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TARC's accessible playground to re-open - July 2016

 

Topeka Active 20-30 Club Wright Place to Play Playground Ribbon Cutting and Dedication

Where: Topeka Active 20-30 Club Wright Place to Play Playground at TARC, 2701 SW Randolph, Topeka

When: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.

TOPEKA, Kan. (July 12) – TARC, Inc. will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completed resurfacing of their accessible playground. The newly resurfaced Topeka Active 20-30 Club Wright Place to Play Playground is a beautiful extension to the newly renovated Topeka Active 20-30 Club’s Room of Endless Possibilities and serves as a space to provide more programming to children receiving services and supports from TARC.

In 2015, TARC’s Children’s Services provided service and supports to more than 750 children with developmental delays and disabilities. In the first five months of 2016, TARC has served 564 and on target to serve 800 children by the end of the year. The Topeka Active 20-30 Club Wright Place to Play Playground is utilized by TARC and TARC Families.  In addition to being used by TARC families, this space is also open to the entire community and is utilized by many families not receiving TARC services as well as many local daycare organizations.

The Topeka Active 20-30 Club generously granted TARC the funds to replace the failing tile system that was originally installed in 2008. Advisors Excel provided 30 employee volunteers to remove the tile system.

TARC to host 2016 Special Olympic send off - June 2016

TARC TO HOST SEND-OFF FOR SPECIAL OLYMPIANS   TOPEKA, Kan. (May 31, 2016) – Friday, June 3rd, TARC will host the official send-off celebration for the Topeka and Shawnee County Special Olympians.   The 2016 Summer Games will be held in Wichita June 3rd-5th.   Special activities will begin at 7:45 am at the TARC Administrative offices, located at 2701 SW Randolph Avenue.  The community is encouraged to attend and show support for these dedicated athletes.  Highlights of the event will include appearances by the Topeka High Drum line, members of the Topeka Golden Giants baseball team, several local mascots and special friends from Frito Lay. The Topeka Police Department and the Topeka Fire Department will also be participating and assisting with the celebration and send-off.     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.   # # #

TARC's Day Services joins May FFAW - May 2016

TARC DAY AND SENIOR SERVICES TO JOIN MAY FRIST FRIDAY ART WALK

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 6, 2016)  — May’s First Friday Art Walk will feature original works from TARC’s Day and Senior Services. The original art work from TARC’s Art from the Heart Program will be showcased at Capitol Federal, 700 S Kansas Ave, Topeka.

The spring art show will feature art that is inspired by the beauty of spring. Showcasing bright colors, beautiful flowers and more nature inspired art created from TARC’s Art from the Heart Program.

“Our art program has so many benefits and it provides people the opportunity to be creative, to spend time with friends and enjoy themselves while working on fun projects,” said Cassandra Phillips, educational coordinator. “One of the benefits we’ve seen from our program is it allows people to express themselves through a variety of media and they leave class with a smile on their face.”

TARC’s Art from the Heart Program offers structured art classes each week with an art teacher from the Mulvane Art Lab at Washburn University.  Classes allow persons supported to learn new and different art media and to complete different projects.

The artworks, featuring a wide range of subjects, have been created using a variety of media including:  iPad, pencil, charcoal, crayon, pastels, tempera and mixed media on a variety of papers and canvas. Reprints and notecards are available to purchase to help fund the Art from the Heart Program.

 

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.

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Topeka Active 20-30 Club's Room of Endless Possibilities ribbon cutting - February 2016
Topeka Active 20-30 Club Room of Endless Possibilities Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Where: TARC Administrative Offices, Miller Room, 2701 SW Randolph, Topeka When: Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.   TOPEKA, Kan. (February 9) – TARC, Inc. will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of renovations. The newly renovated Topeka Active 20-30 Club Room of Endless Possibilities has enhanced the existing space in TARC’s Miller Building to provide more programming to the children receiving services and supports from TARC. The Children’s Services Division at TARC provides services and supports for over 700 children with developmental delays and disabilities each year and their families. Services are typically provided in the locations where children spend their time, such as homes, childcare, grandma’s house, etc. However, families benefit from the opportunity to share information, participate in training events, connect with others and other activities. In 2014, TARC offered 52 events that included children and family fun, support groups and training for parents.   The completion of this project has created a beautiful indoor extension of the Topeka Active 20-30 Club Wright Place to Play playground.  The renovations include:

  • A child accessible restroom and sink
  • Beautiful safe glass doors that lead to the Topeka Active 20-30 Club Wright Place to Play playground
  • Noise and sound control improvements, new carpeting and flooring
  • A technology wall equipped with iMacs and accessible for all.

The safe, appropriate and inviting space will be utilized by TARC’s Children Services for SibShops, Support Group and other activities to provide excellent service, support and advocacy.  The room renovation was made possible by the Topeka Active 20-30 Club, AIM 5 Foundation, Sunderland Foundation and other private donors.

Winter Wonderland XVIII breaks records - January 2016
TARC announces record breaking Winter Wonderland TOPEKA, Kan. (January 25, 2016)- Thirty-seven nights of bright lights and holiday spirit at TARC’s Winter Wonderland XVIII brought in a record number of funds. Winter Wonderland XVIII kicked off November 25, 2015 and wrapped up on New Year’s Eve, December 31. The marathon fundraiser benefits TARC, a not-for-profit organization that works to enhance the lives of 2,500 children, families and adults with developmental, intellectual and related disabilities. For 62 years, TARC has provided service, support, advocacy and community involvement to those in their services. This year’s Winter Wonderland saw over 10,000 cars come through the gates to drive through the 2 mile holiday lights helping TARC raise $174,174.37 to benefit TARC programming. Video via KSNT News:

TARC: Winter Wonderland sets a new financial record

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. # # #