By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
All photos by Alin Hett/Hays Post
The Arc of Central Plains is marking 60 years in Ellis County with a holiday fundraiser that has grown from 13 Christmas trees to nearly 120 items up for bid. The organization is also looking ahead to a major expansion, with plans to move its thrift store into a larger building on East 13th Street.
The Arc began in 1966, when Ellis County families came together to support parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group’s early efforts included opening a daycare and establishing a training center.
“The families that started this organization left quite a legacy,” said Kathy McAdoo, executive director of The Arc of Central Plains. “We’re just really appreciative that we’ve been able to carry it on.”
The organization’s work has changed over the decades, but McAdoo said it continues to focus on helping people with disabilities take part in their communities. The Arc is best known locally for its Special Olympics program. It also provides social activities, including monthly movie and bingo nights, and recently started Healthy Buffaloes, a fitness program that will offer low-impact exercise.
McAdoo said The Arc’s thrift store has been part of that work for decades. It began as a basement sale organized to support the training center and has grew into a store that now provides about 98% of the organization’s funding, including the primary funding behind the expansion goal.
McAdoo said the current store at 600 Main St. has outgrown its space as donations and sales have increased.
The Arc has purchased the former Amphenol Adronics building at 608 E. 13th St. and is preparing for renovations before moving the store. The new location will provide more room for donations and nearly double the sales floor.
“More goods on the floor means quicker turns and more sales, that kind of thing,” McAdoo said.
She estimated the move could take about 18 months, perhaps closer to two years, depending on construction.
“The wheels are moving, they’re just not moving very fast,” she said. “Construction is…you can’t predict it.”
The thrift store expansion is separate from the Buffalo Activity Center, where The Arc holds activities and community events. The center, at 229 W. 10th St., opened last year. It hosts activities such as movie and bingo nights, and some Special Olympics practices are held there.
The Arc will also host its annual Festival of Trees this month, featuring decorated trees and holiday items up for bid to support its programs and thrift store expansion.
The Festival of Trees will take place at the activity center Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14. Pictures of some of the items up for bid are below.
McAdoo said the fundraiser began with 13 trees nine years ago and has grown to over 118 auction items this year, including trees, centerpieces, porch pots, wreaths and other holiday decor. The trees are decorated by volunteers with donated ornaments selected from The Arc Thrift Store.
The items are up for online bidding only; they are not being sold directly at the event. Bidding closes Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m.
The event also includes a separate cash-and-carry market with more than 300 items.
McAdoo said the holiday auction has proven popular over the years. The average tree has gone for about $200, while a Mario-themed tree last year took the highest bid for $800 last year.
Audra Schmeidler, The Arc’s recreation and marketing coordinator, expects a Dolly-themed tree could be a top seller this year.
Schmeidler also coaches The Arc’s volleyball team. On Friday, Nov. 13, she will take 35 participants to Kansas City for a state volleyball tournament.
“It’s so fun, they all love it so much,” Schmeidler said. “Seeing them happy makes me happy.”
For McAdoo, the work is rewarding because it helps people build fuller, more independent lives. McAdoo said The Arc of Central Plains employs over a dozen people with disabilities
“I would tell you about any of our employees with disabilities, they are so dependable, because we also employ over a dozen at the thrift store,” McAdoo said. “People with varying types of disabilities: Down syndrome, autism, various, some unspecified, and they're great employees. They're wonderful, I wish more employers would try it.”
“We give those parents hope that their kids can be participating in society, earning a wage, being able to be somewhat independent,” she said. “Pretty cool when you know that you can help people that way.”
