The Arc of Calhoun and Cleburne Counties
are holding their own battle Aug. 20 at
the Oxford Civic Center, and boisterous
personalities are more than welcome on
their stage.
“You don’t have to be a good singer, just
make it look like you’re a good singer,” said
Patti Tiller, an Arc representative.
Battlers will get five minutes to perform
the song of their choice (with a backup
selection in case there’s time for extra
songs), with up to six lip-syncers in a single
act at a time. Performers can win one of
three categories: the Judges’ Award, the
Audience Favorite Award, and the Put
Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Award,
which goes to the entrant who raises the
most money, either through donations
or audience dollar votes specific to the
category. Registrants have already signed
up with songs by the Spice Girls, the
Bangles and Wilson Phillips, and the only
restriction for incoming registrants is that
songs be family-friendly.
Local businesses can sponsor the event
at various donation tiers, from $25 up to
$1000. The upper tiers include free entry
into the competition, and company teams
are encouraged to participate.
Funds raised at the program will support
Arc programs that help people of all ages
with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Programs include fun
activities— summer camps, weekly art
classes and music therapy — as well as
more serious aid, like advocacy, counseling
20
and even tasks as simple as helping
clients fill out forms for employment. The
programs give parents and caretakers a
chance to take a break and recharge.
“One element or part of autism is that it
takes a lot of time and responsibility,” said
Arc Executive Director Tammy Moreno.
“Some people require 24-hour care.”
Often, clients and their loved ones aren’t
in a position to pay for help, and donations
enable Arc to help regardless of a family’s
financial situation.
“We serve so many in our work who aren’t
able to pay for the services they get, and
other than the camp experiences, we don’t
really charge for any of our programs,” said
Tiller. “We need the funding to come from
the community to be able to serve people.”
The Arc’s lip-sync battle is Aug. 20 at 7
p.m. at the Oxford Civic Center. Entry as
a contestant is $25 and tickets are $5 for
adults and $3 for kids 12 and under and
seniors 65 and older. Audience vote tickets
are $1. Call 256-236-2857 or visit Arc at 401
Noble Street, Anniston to register. ✻
August 2016
INSIGHT