A Message From the Chairman of the Board – Jeremy S. Jernigan, MBA, SHRM-SCP
Leadership is essential for any organization. Its presence and impact can be measured and defined in numerous ways.
For me, the essence of leadership can be summed up with one simple question: “Can you grow those around you?”
In the seven years serving as Executive Director, Ron Sharpe has been a true example of leadership. He has doubled the programming available to our clients, led the development of transportation and housing services, and grown the reach of the Arc of the Bay to eight different counties.
Under his guidance, the staff has grown professionally and personally. Clients have received life-changing experiences and services.
In light of the Arc’s tremendous growth, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Sharpe from Executive Director to the first ever President/CEO in agency history.
Additionally, Joan White, the Arc’s Associate Director, has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer. Joan has been, and will continue to be, an essential piece of the Arc’s success.
We are both thankful and excited to see where these two leaders take the Arc in this next chapter.
Jeremy S. Jernigan, MBA, SHRM-SCP
Donate Your myWalgreens Cash Rewards to The Arc of the Bay Thru 08/31/23
We’re participating in the myWalgreens donation program! You can donate your myWalgreens cash rewards to The Arc of the Bay thru 08/31/23. At Walgreens, you’ll earn unlimited 1% Walgreens Cash rewards when you shop and you can choose how much to donate. It’s that easy. Whether you’d like to contribute $1, $5, or more of your Walgreens Cash rewards you’ll be making a big difference. It really adds up!
Vote for The Arc of the Bay in CIT Bank’s Act of Caring Campaign
The Arc of the Bay was selected along with nine other of charities in the US for $10,000 grant from CIT Bank. We now have the opportunity to double the grant total by receiving the most votes in the CIT Bank’s Act of Caring campaign. View the link below to vote now. The deadline for voting is July 19th.
This grant will help further our mission in providing life & job skills allowing individuals with HUMAN NEEDS lead a more productive & independent life.
Click Below to Vote Today (You may ONLY vote once during this contest):
https://bit.ly/citcares-aotb
Thanks in advance for your support.
Our Update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
LAST UPDATED: Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
As you know, it was our goal to reopen our Adult Day Training Programs at both of our locations this Wednesday, July 1st. Well, again after further review & feedback from several other local providers, we have decided to remain closed, especially with the current spike in new COVID-19 cases.
As this is our 3rd attempt to make a sincere effort to reopen, we will not announce an exact date of reopening except to say that we will continue daily to closely monitor and will provide an update as soon as we can regarding a date for reopening.
We have been very fortunate that none of our associates have tested positive or shown all symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks in advance for your support.
With gratitude,
Ron
*Individuals will need to call ahead to reserve their attendance.
**We will be following all CDC/FDOH COVID-19 safety guidelines.
We appreciate your patience, understanding and prayers as we navigate our future plans for the special individuals that we have the privilege to serve.
We will continue to keep you abreast of any updates and changes.
Most sincerely,
Ron
Other COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Call Center available 24/7 +1 (866) 779-6121 or email [email protected]
For more detail on Florida resident cases, please visit the live DOH Dashboard here.
* Florida residents that are diagnosed with COVID-19 and isolated out of state are not reflected on the Florida map.
** Total cases overview includes positive cases in Florida residents and non-Florida residents tested in Florida.
More Information on COVID-19
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website.
For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to [email protected].
Lewis’s Dream Comes TRUE!
Chemical South Transportation provided the opportunity for Lewis to have his dream come true! Julie Barrett-Anderson saw our FB post last week where we shared Lewis had a dream to ride in an 18 wheeler! Julie called her husband, Todd who works for CST, and his boss, Brad, and they visited us this morning… Smiles Galore!!!
Thanks Sherry!
Don Sirmons, our Board President and I, had the wonderful opportunity yesterday to give THANKS & PRAISE to Sherry Taylor Bruce & the Panama City Moose Lodge for all of their unwavering support for our clients here at St. Andrew Bay Center! Valentines Dance, Halloween Dance & Christmas Party!
Thank You Kim!
Yesterday, our Board President, Don Sirmons & I had the pleasure for giving a sincere & personal thanks to Kim Giovine Cicero & her amazing team from the Messiah Lutheran Church for hosting the Tim Tebow’s Foundation Night to Shine! We have clients still wearing the crowns & tiaras’ 2 weeks after the event!
Valentine’s Dance at the Moose Lodge
Panama City Moose Lodge is the BEST! Another AWESOME night!!! Every year they go above and beyond providing a Valentines Dance, Halloween & Christmas Party for individuals with special needs. Many thanks to the Panama City Moose Lodge for holding this dance for our special needs community!!! Nothing but smiles on everyone’s faces and lots of good times!
St. Andrew Bay Center Clients say you are making a DIFFERENCE!!
A Night to Shine!
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On one night, February 10, 2017, 375 churches, from around the world, hosted Night to Shine for 75,000 honored guests through the support of 150,000 volunteers! Program is supported by the Tim Tebow Foundation [Learn More] .
St. Andrew Bay Center’s Clients attended the event. A great time was had by all!
Night to Shine is a night for the churches to shine, the volunteers to shine, our honored guests to shine, and most importantly, God to shine! Night to Shine is hosted by over 350 churches in 50 states and 11 countries. The impact is felt all over the world.
The Panama City Lutheran Church sponsored A Night to shine at Boardwalk this year.
ABLE United Savings Plan Presentation – See Video
Invitation to ABLE United Presentation
Learn More About ABLE United
It’s here. Individuals with disabilities can now save tax-free and keep federal benefits. New law help folks with special needs achieve a better life experience and a more secure and brighter future via a new savings plan for individuals and families with special needs.
John Finch, Director of ABLE United of Florida, will be speaking at St. Andrew Bay Center at 5:30pm on Thursday, February 2nd, 2017. This event is open to the general public.
Please RSVP at [email protected].
[Learn More at http://www.ableunited.com]