The ARC of Pearl River County held a craft day for the community’s intellectually disabled adults on Nov. 29.

The event was held at Sun Roamer’s RV park, which began with participants decorating candle holders and making jingle bell necklaces. After the activities, participants were treated to pizza and games.

Suzette Morrow, president of the ARC of Pearl River County, said the organization has been holding timely events since its inception in 1978, when a group of parents of children with disabilities realized children similar to theirs in the community needed help and support.

To this day, there are three service providers in the county, each of whom brings participants to various ARC events.

During the event on Wednesday, participants were assisted in creating sparkly candle holders using an empty jar and Epsom salt to create a snowy effect. Flowers attached to a rope were used to decorate the top of the jar. The event also featured a Rudolf themed game where participants wore Rudolf ears and hopped toward their prize.

The entire event was free to participants.

“It is my passion to help all these people have a better life by involving them in these fun activities,” Morrow said.

Other events held by the ARC include the annual spring bingo and the upcoming Christmas bingo at the Knights of Columbus hall set for Dec. 13. 

The ARC holds three annual dance events open to all citizens. One is the Mardi Gras dance held in January, the Hawaiian dance in June and fall dance in October.

Morrow said the ARC is in the process of establishing a new office at 139 Kirkwood St. in Picayune to start a functional literacy program sometime in January and are actively looking for donations.

For more information about ARC and the organization’s activities, contact Morrow at: thearcpearlrivercounty@aol.com.