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Members of The Arc of Shelby county’s New Visions adult program decorated a tree for the Alabaster Festival of Trees on Tuesday, Dec. 3. (Reporter photos/Noah Wortham)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Despite a chilly morning, members of the New Visions adult program wore bright smiles as they listened to Christmas music and happily decorated The Arc of Shelby County’s Christmas tree in preparation for the annual Alabaster Festival of Trees.

Members of the program joined together to partake in tree decorating at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3 near Alabaster City Hall. The Arc of Shelby County’s Tree will be on display for the remainder of the Alabaster Festival of Trees until Thursday, Jan. 2. The organization’s tree will be judged with other entrants on Thursday, Dec. 5.

“I think it was just a great way to get ready for the holidays,” said Carole Lyons, director of development and community relations for The Arc of Shelby County. “This is what it’s all about, decorating trees, socializing, being a part of the community and just getting ready for the holiday season.”

During the Alabaster Festival of Trees, a selection of trees decorated by local businesses and organizations are spread across the municipal green from Alabaster City Hall to the Alabaster Senior Center. A portion of the $250 entry fee for the festival will go toward providing Christmas gifts for local families in need through Shelby County Emergency Services.

“Being a part of the community and coming out to the city of Alabaster to decorate the tree for the festival of trees kicked off our holiday season,” Lyons said. “It just gets us in the festive spirit but its also a way for The Arc of Shelby County to be a part of such a fun occasion in the city.”

The New Visions adult program had the opportunity to decorate a tree thanks to the generosity of A to Z Auto Repair who donated the tree for The Arc of Shelby County to use in the festival.

“For sure I want to thank A to Z Auto Repair,” Lyons said. “We are so appreciative that we got to decorate the tree for The Arc of Shelby county.”

One of The Arc of Shelby County’s many programs and services, New Visions aims to provide educational services  and opportunities for inclusion and participation to adult individuals with disabilities in Shelby and Chilton County.

“We have 24 participants who come there daily and work on their individualized goals as well as volunteer in the community, shop in the community, eat and enjoy activities,” Lyons said.

New Visions provides these adults with skills training and chances to participate in community-based recreation, activities and volunteer opportunities. Additionally the program provides its participants with coaching and training.

Members of the program also have their own plans and goals that the organization assists them with in accomplishing.

“They have individualized plans,” Lyons said. “It might be reading, it might be writing recipes down. We have one individual who likes to play music, so he’s on the keyboards a lot. We have an individual who likes doing puzzles. So, (they are) doing those activities with their friends and socializing and fellowshipping. We just have that program there for them to have that involvement and make their lives more exciting and fulfilling.”

The New Visions Day Program is located at 101 Airport Commons Drive in Calera and more information can be found online at Thearcofshelby.org/what-we-do/new-visions. Those who wish to keep up to date with The Arc of Shelby County may follow the organization’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/thearcofshelbyco.

The winners of the Alabaster Festival of Trees will be announced during the city of Alabaster’s annual water tower lighting event on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m.

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