The Arc of Mower County’s Family Fun Night is geared to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 3 to 12 years of age and their families.

Come and enjoy some great family time. Meet other families who can offer you some guidance in raising a child with a disability.

For the month of March we will be having a movie night. Our featured movie will be: “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.”

A concession stand will be made available and there is no cost to participate. However, if you would like to make a donation there will be opportunities to do so.

Our next event will be held on Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m.

 Help spread the word to end the R-word

In 2008, Special Olympics started a website www.r-word.org to help in the fight against the use of the R-word.

According to their website, “The R-word is the word ‘retard(ed)’. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech.”

On Wednesday take the pledge online at www.r-word.org to help promote a new R-word, respect. The Arc believes the use of the r-word is inappropriate and more importantly, hurtful. Please join us in support of this project.

 March is the month to make your mark

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month thanks to a 1987 Presidential Proclamation from Ronald Reagan, which was the direct result of the advocacy efforts of The Arc.

A lot has changed since then, more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are living and thriving in their communities rather than institutions, there are more opportunities, more protections and more respect for and inclusion of people with I/DD in their communities. But we must remember that many of those advancements were hard won.

Advocacy was the impetus for many of the positive changes in our society, such as the creation of DD Awareness Month. And that will continue only as long as we fight for it.

In 2012, a pivotal Presidential election year, we are fighting to protect Medicaid. Since many people with disabilities rely on publicly funded services to fully participate in their communities, policy makers need to know you are concerned about continuing those services in the face of budget cuts during tough economic times.

Take advantage of March to make your mark on the candidates who hope to hold office in 2013 and beyond. Use Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month as a reason to get involved and get active today.

Your support makes the difference

The 17th Annual Rose Sale is now underway and goes to March 27. Pick-up/delivery is April 3 the Tuesday before Easter.

Let someone know that you care and support the work of The Arc of Mower County by supporting our 17th Annual Rose Sale. Order forms are available on our website at www.arcmowercounty.org or you may use the insert in the March 2012 editions of VISIONS. You can also email your orders to roses@arcmowercounty.org and mail your payment to The Arc.

The 2nd Annual Taste of Mower County will be held from 4:30 – 7:30 on Saturday, March 24 in the Holiday Inn Grand Ballroom in Austin.

Enjoy unlimited tastings of signature offerings from Mower County’s finest chefs. Tickets are available now and cost $25 for individual or $40 for couples.

There are sponsorship opportunities available with great benefits.

 Upcoming Events

• Monday: Health and Wellness Exercise Class, from 4 to 5 p.m.

• Tuesday: People First Aktion Club Meeting, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

• Wednesday: Mower County Special Olympics Bowling, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.; Spread the Word to End the Word at www.r-word.org

• Thursday: Family Fun Night movie, “Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs,” from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Friday: Open Center, from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Saturday: Special Activity Lock-In at The Center, from 2 to 8 p.m.