Staff Report

PARKERSBURG — The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley will continue its annual Secret Christmas program this year, but with changes because of the pandemic.

The Arc usually encourages volunteers to help provide Christmas gifts, cookies and household items to adults and teens 13 years and older, but COVID-19 changed things this year, said Doug Hess, coordinator of programs and activities for The Arc.

For 2020 to help prevent the spread of the virus, a limited number of residents are shopping, but there will be no wrapping party. Cookies have been purchased and donated by “some generous elves” who work at the Bureau of Fiscal Services, he said.

A Christmas ornament will be given to each person receiving gifts.

“This has been an especially challenging year for people with disabilities in our community. They often have underlying health conditions and many have been unable to visit their community since March,” Liz Ford, executive director of the Arc, said.

“Most of our friends, neighbors, and family members with disabilities live in special home settings and this is likely to be the only Christmas they receive,” she said. “It is more important than ever to make the holidays a little more special for people who don’t have the resources to do it on their own.”

The Arc, grateful for community support of the Secret Christmas program, will celebrate its 65th anniversary this year.

For nearly 25 years through the Secret Christmas program, Christmas morning has meant tearing off wrapping paper and opening that special gift requested through the program. It has meant smiles and laughter, ribbons and bows, games and movies.

“It costs close to $10,000 per year to provide Christmas for about 250 people,” Ford said. “The big-heartedness of so many people coming together to make Christmas possible for so many warms the heart.”

People with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, Ford said.

“Providing gifts for people who would otherwise go without will go a long way in sharing the magic of the season,” Ford said. “Our community has shown great fortitude and strength in light of COVID-19. Their capacity for giving back to their community is humbling.”

A person can be sponsored with a $40 donation. The Arc will purchase and wrap the gifts. Donors can request a wish list, purchase the gifts and bring them to The Arc office, or encourage a club, church group, office or other organization to be a Secret Christmas sponsor.

To donate or shop, contact The Arc at 304-422-3151 or go to thearcmov.org to download a sponsorship form.

Since 1955, The Arc has supported people with intellectual, cognitive or related developmental disabilities. Participants in Secret Christmas are above the age for assistance from other community programs and have a financial need with little or no support from families to cover clothing, grooming, transportation and other social needs.