It is that time of year, again, when family and friends around the community will be sharing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals together.  There will be parties, gift giving, people sharing their time with others and memories to last a life time.

Here at The Arc Mower County, we will be doing the same. Because we are a small organization, volunteers are needed to support these events we will be having in the next few months.

Just recently, Austin hosted the Area 10 Special Olympics Bowling Tournament.  We had friends and family, members of the Austin Jaycees,  the DEEDS Club from Riverland College, members of the local bowling league, Concordia College volunteers and volunteers from the Owatonna Bowling team.  These people are the ones that made this a huge success. So successful, this tournament will be held in Austin again next year.

The Arc Mower County is asking that you, your friends and family, the clubs that you belong to, the churches you belong to, the groups that your children belong to would like to help with the following volunteer opportunities:

•Festival of Lights volunteers: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 5 to 10 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16, and 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29.

•People First Aktion Club’s All-You-Can-Eat Chicken Dumpling Soup and Chili Supper: Donations of chicken, hamburger, instant rice, beans, etc., to offset the cost of food.

•2012 Christmas Festival Dinner Dance:  Door prizes, serving the meal catered by Hy-Vee.

The members of the Rec Center love when volunteers come in and host an evening of Bingo, open center, dances, birthday parties, helping with scrapbooking or serving meals. There are many, many volunteer opportunities.

So in your busy holiday season of giving, please volunteer and give some of your time.  We can’t do it without yout. From all of us here at The Arc Mower County, God’s blessing to you and your loved ones this holiday season.

 Upcoming Events

•Christmas Festival: Friday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Event includes, dinner, dancing, prizes, karaoke and more.

•3rd Annual Taste of Mower County: Saturday, April 6, 2013, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Austin Holiday Inn.

Jamey Helgeson is the Program Director at The Arc Mower County and can be reached at jamey@arcmowercounty.org or by calling 507-433-8994, Extension 102.  You can also visit our website (www.arcmowercounty.org) and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/arcmc).