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The Arc of Shelby County celebrated 50 years of serving the community on Thursday Aug. 22 at the Inverness Country Club with a variety of festivities for attendees to enjoy. (Reporter photos/Rachel Raiford)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

NORTH SHELBY – Residents enjoyed a night of food, drinks, live entertainment and more while celebrating the success of the local nonprofit The Arc of Shelby County during its 50th anniversary celebration.

The Arc of Shelby County celebrated 50 years of serving the community on Thursday Aug. 22 at the Inverness Country Club with a variety of festivities for attendees to enjoy.

“Overall, it was a successful event,” said Carole Lyons, director of development and community relations at The Arc of Shelby County. “We were very pleased with the community support, the attendance and the sponsorships and donations that helped us achieve our goals.”

Entertainment during the anniversary celebration was provided by the group Blackberry Breeze Duo, who delivered a variety of tunes.

“Blackberry Breeze Duo was fabulous,” Carole Lyons said. “They played every genre of music and had people on the dance floor. We just appreciate their generosity to support us and be there for our 50th.”

During the event, attendees sampled hors d’oeuvres while enjoying various beverages, including beer and wine. A dessert table was also on offer covered with a selection of sweets, including a cake from Publix, cookies from Chicken Salad Chick and cupcakes from Ebean Sweets.

“The event was a way to thank our community for all they have done to support us over the past 50 years, and we wanted to share the celebration with everyone,” Carole said. “We also wanted to continue to raise more funds to support our programs and services so we can enrich the lives of more individuals and families.”

The nonprofit also raised funds during the event through a silent auction which offered a variety of items up for purchase that were donated by several organizations, including sports items, tickets, signed footballs and jewelry.

“We had so many generous donors for the auction, and we a raised a great amount of money that will benefits our services and our programs going forward for The Arc of Shelby County,” Carole Lyons said.

Carole Lyons expressed her gratitude to the Inverness Country Club for serving as the venue for the milestone celebration.

“Inverness Country Club did a phenomenal job to make the event even more special for our staff and the community to celebrate this occasion,” she said.

The Arc of Shelby County is a 503(c)(3) non-profit located in Pelham that aims to empower individuals with developmental delays and their families through advocacy, coaching and support.

The organization was founded in 1974 as an advocacy organization by a concerned group of parents with the initial purpose of serving as a support for parents of children with intellectual disabilities. After several years of assisting other organizations with direct services, in 1988 the organization opened an early intervention program to serve children from birth to age five with developmental delays. In 1999, The Arc of Shelby County began a supported employment program to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

The Arc of Shelby County has grown from a small support group into an advocacy agency that has had direct contact with more than 1,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families each year.

“As we celebrate our 50th year of serving individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Shelby County, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude,” said Jeannine Lyons, executive director of The Arc of Shelby County. “Over the past five decades, our organization has been dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals and families with disabilities, ensuring they have the opportunities and resources they need to lead fulfilling lives. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff, volunteers and partners who have tirelessly advocated for and supported our mission. It is also a reflection of the incredible resilience and achievements of the individuals we serve.”

The Arc of Shelby County advocates for policies and programs that benefit people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. The organization also educates policymakers, people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, service providers, families and others on best practices and issues that impact people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families.

“As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission and are excited about the future,” Jeannine said. “We will continue to innovate, collaborate and advocate to ensure that Shelby County is a place where all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.”

The Arc of Shelby County is located at 203 Amphitheater Road in Pelham. Those interested in learning more about The Arc of Shelby County can visits its website at Thearcofshelby.org or its official Facebook page at Facebook.com/thearcofshelbyco.

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