Ever since the Association of Retarded Citizens of New Jersey began operating in North Hudson in 1997, people with developmental disabilities have had more opportunities for social activity and job placement. Even more has changed over the last three years, since a chapter office was formed on 36th Street in Union City, helping a variety of developmentally disabled children and adults.
“Since it’s a relatively new chapter, we’ve sort of reached out to embrace the community,” said Tom Baffuto, the executive director of ARC of New Jersey. “We’re excited to have such a tremendous outpouring of support since we’ve been in Hudson County.”
Last Saturday, ARC of New Jersey held its annual ARC Walk throughout the entire state. The Hudson County chapter’s walk was held in North Hudson Braddock Park, where more than 300 walkers participated, helping to raise more than $17,000 to help ARC-related activities.
The participants made their way around the lake in the park, with sponsors making pledges for every step of the route the walkers made.
Each of New Jersey’s 21 counties held fund-raising walks for ARC participants, and more than $500,000 is expected to be raised statewide. But the funds raised at the walk in North Bergen will go strictly to the Hudson County ARC chapter for the variety of programs and services they provide.
“We have support groups for families, an after-school program, and a referral program for adults,” Baffuto said. “We have 75 active members at the Hudson County chapter that receive our services. We’re glad to be in Hudson County now because it was an area that was underused.”
Baffuto said he was impressed with the turnout throughout the state. “It was very successful throughout New Jersey,” Baffuto said. “In Hudson County, we had 300 walkers, a nice combination of people with disabilities and those without, to help raise the money for the Hudson County chapter.”
Baffuto credited the volunteer efforts of the State Order of Masons, who donated food and water for the event throughout the state.
Some of the local sponsors included Provident Bank, Oritani Savings and Loan, and radio station WKTU-FM, whose headquarters are operated out of Jersey City. The station provided live music and a disc jockey at the walk for entertainment purposes.
M&M/Mars Candies, Inc. presented every walker with a goody bag.
“We had people young and old participating,” Baffuto said. “And who wouldn’t want a bag full of M&Ms? Everyone had a great time and it was successful, because we raised a lot of money. I’m real excited about the direction in which we’re moving in Hudson County and the services we’re providing.”