Every year, people celebrate Feb. 14 by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends. It’s when people devote time together to show they care and to honor their love.
It’s no different at The Arc Nature Coast, where program participants today are gathered for luncheon and to make sweetheart cards to exchange at their annual Sweetheart Dance, which will be held from 6 pm to 9 pm on Feb. 9, 2024, at their Education Center located at 6495 Mariner Blvd., in Spring Hill.
Established in 1973 by a small group of citizens concerned with the lack of opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Arc Nature Coast continues to grow and provide services and support for adults and their families in Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties.
Those services include employment, enrichment, residential, transportation, the Tumbleweeds Gardening Project, and more. All life skills services offered are specifically designed to enhance the program participants’ independence by reducing reliance on governmental funding.
“The Sweetheart Dance is our first and favorite event of the year and all our staff and volunteers are very excited about it,” said the Arc Nature Coast Development Director Nancy Stubbs. “It’s also an opportunity for us to highlight the progress of our new Neff Lake Lifeskills Enrichment Center and to extend an invitation for everyone to participate in the engraved patio paver program that will be permanently located there.
The new donor courtyard will be similar to the existing Spring Hill courtyard, lined with engraved, personalized pavers surrounded by benches where visitors and program participants can relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.
“Today, the Arc-Nature Coast provides support to more than 350 individuals from 23 staffed locations,” explained Nancy. And our dances are an opportunity for our individuals who may not attend the same programs to get together,” said Nancy.
Peter Lobato, well known throughout Hernando County as “PJ the DJ,” will be the music host for this event. The dances are open to the public but are put on as a social event for persons with disabilities of all ages. Pizza, snacks, chips, cookies, sodas and juice, and other goodies will be available, as well as drawings for door prizes.
The cost per person is just $5. Immediate family, the Arc Nature Coast staff accompanying a member of the Arc, and children under 12 are free.
“Some staff members from The Arc Nature Coast will be there also, including myself, our CEO, Mark Barry, and those accompanying our residential members,” Nancy added. “But we welcome volunteers to come and help out also.”
One longtime volunteer is Linda Reddon, whose niece has participated in the Arc programs. Reddon started volunteering at the Arc dances many years ago. She brings numerous family members with her and has been a huge help at the dances.
“Her children and grandchildren have grown up participating at all our dances and we are truly grateful for what they do,” said Nancy.
“We truly love our volunteers and all our program participants and want to ensure they enjoy a better quality of life for many years to come,” said Nancy.
Visit www.tancinc.org if you would like to sponsor a paver.
Contact Development Director Nancy Stubbs at 727.619.0694.
