|
January
Spotlight: "Family Reunion
Success! Thank you Sarah Petit Fund!"
The warm mist of salt water, the swaying
sound of palm trees and the smell of luau food may not
be the family reunion scene that many party goers are
accustomed to in Prince George’s County. But for
Brian Lee, this was a normal family get together for
him last summer.
Brian Lee, an Office Skills Training
Program graduate, has been working at The Arc of Prince
George’s County for the past three years as an
office assistant. He took a break from the usual mailing,
filing and typing last summer to travel to Malibu, Hawaii
for his family reunion. With such a great distance separating
Brian and that side of his family, seeing them initially
was difficult for him.
“I was excited and emotional to
see them after so long,” Lee said.
Seeing
his cousin, Keith, and staying in his house by the water
are his favorite memories from the trip. Prior to this
vacation, which was partially funded through the Sarah
Petit Fund, Brian had not seen Keith for a long
period of time and their reconnection proved to be invaluable
to them both.
His trip lasted eight days, and he explored
the beaches and volcanoes of the island through hiking
excursions and swimming. Brian also attended a luau
and sampled the exotic Hawaiian cuisine.
“It is a different kind of food,
but I liked it,” Brian said.
The
Sarah Petit Fund supports vacations and recreational
opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The Arc’s biggest fundraiser, The Bowling Bash,
will be held on March 7th & 14th this year, and
all its proceeds support the Sarah Petit Fund and trips
such as Brian’s.
|