The Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. (HARC) will be celebrating its 55 years of service to the Greater Hartford community at its Annual Meeting and Dinner Dance to take place on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 6:00pm at the Hartford, Farmington Marriott.

HARC will be honoring several Greater Hartford community businesses and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and partnership with HARC in a number of categories:

2006 Employer of the Year:  Otis Elevator of Bloomfield

HARC’s supported employment site at Otis Elevator was established in 1988 and has been running successfully without interruption since then. The site supports three HARC participants as full time workers, all of whom have been at the jobsite for over 10 years, and HARC Job Coach, Jack Garceau, who has been there for 5 years. According to Jack, “The overall attitude of the company to our team is incredibly positive and inclusive. We feel very    special here.”

2006 Community Partner: Brescia’s Printing Services of East Hartford

Brescia’s Printing has been a consistently supportive business partner of HARC for several years. Bill and Annemarie Brescia of Vernon have been personally supportive as well, attending many HARC fundraising and social functions and introducing new business partners to the organization.

2006 Volunteers of the Year: The HARC Walkathon Committee - Marion Zaffino of Granby, Jackie Benton, Chrissy Barnard, Sara Allan, Kelly McDonough and Lauren Vanderbeck of Simsbury.

The members of the Volunteer Walkathon Committee formed an energetic,   cohesive group, and in 2004 established HARC’s very successful, annual springtime community event in Simsbury. Each year, the event has brought in over $120,000 for HARC’s Respite Program. The Respite Program helps families of medically fragile children with multiple disabilities, take a break and recharge.

2006 Extra Mile Award: Michael Jones of Enfield

Michael Jones is celebrating his 10^th anniversary as a HARC staff member and is being recognized for his extraordinary commitment and dedication to HARC and people with mental retardation. Michael is always “there” to lend a helping hand, and this year was proclaimed “Emperor Penguin,” raising the most money for HARC at the Special Olympic CT Penguin Plunge in February.

Also being honored for 25 years of service to HARC are Barbara Siskin of Newington, Executive Assistant, and Robert L. Bowsza of Manchester, Chief Financial Officer.