Value Village January Sale

When people shop at Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores, they’re doing more than getting great bargains on terrific merchandise.  They’re helping make the community a better place for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities.  Arc’s Value Village will thank its customers for supporting this important cause by cutting prices during the Customer Appreciation Sale on January 18-20, 2003.

Everything in the stores will be 50% off during the sale, including clothing, accessories, housewares, collectibles, craft items, books, toys and more.

Proceeds support the programs and services of Arc Hennepin-Carver.  Last year, Arc’s Value Village and Arc’s Used Goods Pick-up Service provided nearly half of the revenue for Arc’s work in the community.

Arc’s Value Village also invites shoppers to consider volunteering at their favorite store.  No special skills are needed, and even a few hours of time make a difference.  It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s a great way to get a “sneak peek” at merchandise before it goes onto the sales floor.  For information about volunteering, call Arc’s director of volunteers at 952-920-0855.

Maps to the stores and more information are available at:  www.arcsvaluevillage.org.

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“A Taste of Many Wines”

Promote Awareness, a not-for-profit organization that creates educational materials and programs to promote the abilities of disabled people, announces a fund-raising event:  “A Taste of Many Wines.”  The fund-raiser will take place on Tuesday, February 4, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the St. Paul College Club (990 Summit Avenue).

The event will include wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, raffle drawings, and a seminar on wine and pairing it with foods.  Information about Promote Awareness, including an upcoming video by board member Sarah Axtell from the U of M Medical School, will also be presented.                               

For information on tickets, raffles, and sponsorship, please call 952-593-5498.

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State Mental Health Panels

Applications are being sought to fill several vacancies on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health and its Subcommittee on Children’s Mental Health.

The Advisory Council is charged with advising the governor, the Legislature and state agencies about policy, programs and services affecting people with mental illness.  The Subcommittee makes recommendations to the advisory council on matters pertaining to children’s mental health.  Its members include parents, providers, state and county representatives, educators, legislators and others.

Members of the council are appointed by the governor.  Subcommittee members are appointed by the council chairperson.  All appointments will be for terms ending in January 2007.

For an application and more information, contact Bruce Weinstock at 651-582-1824 or Bruce.Weinstock@state.mn.us.

 

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ADA Minnesota Mini-Grants Available

ADA Minnesota has mini-grants available for projects that increase public knowledge and understanding of Titles I (employment), II (public services) or III (public accommodations) of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The proposed projects should increase and encourage the involvement of people with disabilities and provide opportunities to create collaborative partnerships.  Grant applications are due February 15, 2003 and projects should be completed by September 30, 2003.  Grants cannot be used for capital requests, continuation funding or operating expenses.  Grant awards range from $500 to $2000.

To request an application, contact:  Cindy Tarshish, ADA Minnesota, c/o MCIL, 1600 University Avenue #16, St. Paul MN  55104; 888-845-4595 (toll free in MN only); 651-603-2015 (Twin Cities); 651-603-2001 (TTY); 651-603-2006 (fax); or e-mail:  cindyt@mcil-mn.org.