Life Styles Inc. and guests were "Reaching New Heights" at the nonprofit organization's 32nd annual Celebration of Possibilities Luncheon March 11 at the Fayetteville Town Center.
The luncheon is an opportunity for the nonprofit organization to celebrate clients, staff members, volunteers, client employers and community partners.
At a Glance
Celebration of Possibilities: Reaching New Heights
Who: Life Styles
What: The group celebrated backers, clients, voluneers, staff and community members.
When: March 11
Where: Fayetteville Town Center
Next: Polo in the Ozarks
Information: (479) 521-3581 or lifestylesinc.org
The group offers services for individuals with disabilities, helping them become contributing members in our community with programs such as supported employment. The Life Styles employment department works with clients from vocational assessment and the application process through support once they've landed jobs.
Other Life Styles offerings include supported living, Project Launch, visual arts, performing arts and a high school transition program.
The Puga sisters -- Angelica, Rosa, Eva and Laura -- shared their experiences with the nonprofit organization. Laura credited Life Styles with providing her with "the life skills to be the confident young lady that she is," Angelica said, and for her passion for art.
This year's Community Partnership awards went to:
• TJ Maxx -- Employer of the Year: "Their role in helping our clients succeed in their employment goals has been next to none."
• Central Christian Church -- Volunteer Group of the Year: "This group has been pivotal to the success of our Polo in the Ozarks silent auction and regularly suits up in their aprons to perform all aspects of food service at out Thanksgiving and holiday celebrations."
• SWK Financial Planning Advisors of Raymond James -- Volunteer Business of the Year: "We can always count on board member Jim Ed Summers and another dozen or so volunteers to help us make merry during the holidays. And they get extra points for staying late to help clean up!"; and
• Gale Carreira -- Volunteer of the Year: "Gale is integral to the Life Styles: She's a dedicated parent to her son and Life Styles client, Mike; a tireless advocate for those with disabilities (she's a retired special ed teacher); and an invaluable volunteer with our performing arts program."
The group also lauded longtime backer, Woody Bassett. "Life Styles has no more enthusiastic advocate than this generous board member, donor and universally respected community leader."
John Newman, executive director, says to be on the lookout for an exciting new event set for Oct. 24 at Pratt Place Barn in Fayetteville.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 03/29/2020