Mary Manzolini has not only the longest history of attending any Berkshire County Arc program, she and her family are one of the initial 11 families that conceived and launched BCArc in 1954, Kenneth Singer told some 240 people at BCArc’s 65th Annual Meeting on Friday at the Berkshire Hills Country Club.
Manzolini, who started with BCArc as a 12 year-old 65 years ago, is the only survivor.
“Who would have thought that from a small group of concerned families that BCArc would become what it is today. The seed took,” Singer said, quoting Manzolini’s deceased mother.
“Today we recognize her as a founding member of BCArc,” Singer said. “Like BCArc, she refuses to slow down. She refuses to age. She’s healthy and full of energy every day.”
Also recognized at the meeting was The Big Y as Employer of the Year. The market was recognized for its success with employing numerous BCArc individuals over the years, all with disabilities, helping them to grow and enhance their skills. Some 120 BCArc individuals are employed around the region.
Studley Press was given the Business Partner Award for its work with BCArc’s Zip-‘N-Sort, a mail house with more than 200 clients staffed partly by people with disabilities. Studley Press started working with Zip-N-Sort 18 years ago and has grown the relationship significantly over the years.
Employee of the Year went to Rachel Nicola for her commitment to the people she serves at BCArc’s residential program. She thanked BCArc for giving her another family. “They put a smile on my face,” she said. “Watching them light up and laugh makes me so happy.”
Speakers also included State Sen. Adam Hinds, State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, State Rep. John Barrett III, Mayor Linda Tyer, and Mayor Thomas Bernard.
Along with appointing the Board of Directors, other awards included awards in citizenship, personal growth, self-advocacy, employee growth, and personal achievements.
The following were called to the podium to receive awards:
- Achievement Awards went to: John Abriel, Nicholas Moore, Justin Plumley, Patricia Minkler, and Frank Felix.
- The John Grant Self-Advocate Achievement Award went to David Gardner.
- Citizenship Awards went to Ben Nguyen and Kimberly Campbell.
- The Carol Craighead Mission Award went to Kate Hood, nursing supervisor.
- The Outstanding Administrative Employee went to Kristi Nastars
- The Outstanding Employment Services Employee went to Nathan White.
- The Outstanding Brain Injury Services Employee went to Maryellen Lassalle.
- And the Outstanding Day Services Employee went to Kayla Lemaire.
