The Arc Baltimore Presents Volunteer Service Awards

The Arc Baltimore presented its annual Volunteer Service Award to two individuals – Marge Anderson and Becca March – during its recent 2020 Virtual Awards Ceremony.

Marge Anderson, a volunteer docent and art instructor at the Baltimore Museum of Art, was honored for regularly hosting a group of visitors from The Arc’s center in Dundalk. Once a month for the past two years, Anderson has greeted The Arc visitors at the door and then hosted them as they tour exhibits and discuss the art. Often, they will even sketch their own versions of their favorite art pieces right there in the gallery.

After the tour, The Arc Baltimore visitors enjoy lunch and then work on art projects together. Throughout all of this, Anderson guides them in their creations with kindness that makes it a wonderful and educational experience for all.

Becca March also won a Volunteer Service Award for her work with the Luminaries, a young professionals’ network. March, who attended the kick-off for the Luminaries a year ago, got active with the group right away and now serves as its chair. Under her leadership, the Luminaries have held three networking happy hours, with nearly 150 people attending and raising funds for their two service events.

March and her team also led a summer spruce up at an Arc home, where they worked side-by-side with the two gentlemen who live there to beautify their yard. They also held gift drives and assisted with The Arc Baltimore’s Holiday Shoppe for the Adopt-a-Family program. They even wrapped presents for the happy parents. While COVID has delayed some of their plans, March is determined to keep the group alive, and hopes to hold an online dance party for people at The Arc later this summer.

The Virtual Awards Ceremony recognized Arc Baltimore staff, self-advocates, board members, and community members for their dedication to, and advocacy for, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Ceremony “offered a tremendous opportunity to recognize the outstanding services given to The Arc Baltimore and to the individuals it supports each year,” says the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Kathleen McNally Durkin.

“The work of all of our award recipients and nominees, as well as so many others, plays a critical role in the continued success of The Arc Baltimore,” Durkin continues. “Their hard work and dedication are at the heart of our mission to support people with developmental disabilities in leading fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging and purpose.”

The Arc Baltimore supports people with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful relationships.

As one of the nation's largest and most respected organizations of its kind, The Arc Baltimore is an indispensable resource, providing employment training and support, day and residential services, family support and education, treatment foster care, respite care, public policy advocacy and information, and referrals.