The Arc Otsego Brightens Nurses' Day

On Thursday, September 24th at 11 am, individuals with developmental disabilities from The Arc Otsego’s Adult Day Services Division distributed floral arrangements to nursing staff at Oneonta’s A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital as a way of saying thank you for all they do for the local community.  The floral gift is part of a project, Flowers for Smiles, made possible with funds from a Mary Frawley Grant.  (left:  getting ready to deliver the arrangements.)

Director of Adult Day Services Derek Mizerak, RhD, who applied for the $500 grant, saw the project as a great way to create a win/win situation.  “This project was a great learning experience for our individuals and gave us an opportunity to give back to the community.”  Led by Pam Cole, Assistant Director of Adult Day Services and with the help of Cindy Carr, Site Coordinator for Hyde Park and other staff, the individuals chose, planted and tended the flowers, assisted with making floral arrangements and identifying recipients for the floral gifts.  Seven individuals with disabilities participated in the project and over twenty floral arrangements have been distributed over the past few weeks to deserving recipients throughout the Oneonta community.  Says Mizerak,   “We called it Flowers for Smiles, because we want to put a smile on everyone’s face.”

In addition to arrangements delivered to AO Fox Hospital nursing staff, Flowers for Smiles arrangements have also been delivered to seniors at Nadar Towers and to other seniors throughout the community.  According to Mizerak, “A number of individuals who use our services volunteer at Meals on Wheels each week.  They have gotten to know many of the seniors living in the area and wanted to do something extra for these folks.”  Mizerak notes that the there are many deserving recipients in the community and hopes to expand the Flowers for Smiles efforts in the future.

Mary Frawley was a day treatment program director at Saratoga Arc and was a board member for the New York State Association of Day Service Providers (NYSADSP).  She was sincerely dedicated to the best interest of individuals with developmental disabilities.  Every year, NYSADSP awards $5,000 in grants in her name, to provider members who submit proposals that exemplify quality programming, identifying best practices while displaying creativity and a unique approach. (grant information taken from the NYSADSP website, www.nysadsp.org)