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Fall carnival benefits developmentally disabled
Fundraiser to include live band, ring toss, cake walk, swing dancing, prizes, silent auction

by Janet Pelletier

The Arc of Alameda County wants to invite the public to a fall carnival that will include a ring toss, cake walk, swing dance lessons and performances, prizes such as diamond earrings and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit, which helps developmentally disabled people become more independent.

Called Arc After Dark: A Fall Carnival, the event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 301 Main St., according to Debbie Deane, one of the event's organizers.

Deane said she is passionate about Arc because the organization helps people such as her friend Chelsea Steger, 24, become more self-sufficient.

Steger's mother, Marilyn Steppe, is also a member of Arc.

"Chelsea is blind and physically disabled," Deane said. "She is working at this workshop and it's just amazing--that someone like Chelsea with all of her problems has found something to give her life meaning. I thought it was very inspiring."

Locally, the Arc has a Tri-Valley center at 1951 Rutan Drive in Livermore, where the disabled can go to perform work and earn money.

"That is part of the drive behind many of the programs at the Arc, is to help them to become independent and not be victims," Deane said. "There are a lot of people out there that would victimize someone like this."

The clients are employed on contracted jobs.

"There's a group on Mondays that goes out to wash fire department vehicles," she said. "They also go to grocery stores to help bag groceries. From the center, they can be taken to these off-site jobs."

In order to do work at the Tri-Valley Arc center, they need office equipment such as tables and chairs, which center Director Rosie Llamado has been bringing in from her home. Proceeds from the fall carnival will help pay for those types of items, Deane said.

"It's terribly under-funded as most state things are. They need tables just to help them with the space for various contract work," she said.

At the carnival, attendees will have opportunities to win such prizes as a pair of diamond earrings; a week's stay in Whistler, British Columbia; golf foursomes at area courses; beach cruiser bicycles and more.

Clients of the Arc will also sell balloons and each balloon will have a ticket inside that will be redeemable for a prize. Dinner will be catered by the Pampered Chef. Cost to attend is $50 per person. A live band will perform as well as a dance group from It's All About Dancing in Livermore, who will also offer swing dance lessons.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call Rosie Llamado at 510-760-2376.

Posted by John, a resident of another community, on Nov 12, 2007 at 1:48 am

This event was nice and had great food. I enjoyed the music and friendly volunteer/staff. I didn't think there would be any teenagers besides myself and maybe a few others; but the volunteers for the games were high school volunteers and were very nice and funny. I talked to one of them and found out she was getting community service for the event so she could go to college, which was cool, I wish her good luck (she, and the other volunteers too, were very nice to the disabled as well which warmed my heart). Great event, and I would definitely make the 2 hour trip from college to attend this again next year. I wish more people would participate for this good cause!

If you have any questions about the event, feel free to email me: xjhalo117@yahoo.com

Posted by Sharon, a resident of Livermore, on Nov 13, 2007 at 10:31 am

This event was so much fun! The band "Age of Reason" played great tunes through the night. The meal from Pampered Palate/Girosole was delicious. We saw a wonderful performance from a couple that learned to dance at "All About Dance" in Livermore. The evening was filled with lots of laughs, dancing and games including the cake walk which was enjoyed by all, especially the clients that are recipients of the fundraiser. Great volunteer work by the Pleasanton High School students too!

Posted by aaron, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:50 pm

sounds like a great time, with good benefit for the community.