Off the Soapbox

When I have the opportunity to write about a cause in which I am extremely passionate, I’m sure it’s easy to see my heart in print even if you can’t see it on my sleeve.  From time to time I get a little hot under the collar fighting for people with developmental disabilities who don’t have the ability or understanding to fight for themselves.  Call me human.  Call me a sibling of one of these special people.  Call me and advocate.

So, today, I take a moment to step down from my soapbox to simply tell you about the wonderful things planned over the course of 2010 at ARC Marion and with the Heart of Florida Hope Foundation. 

On February 18, the Marion County Building Industry Association will be hosting the Fourth Annual King of Wing competition on ARC’s campus located at 2800 SE Maricamp Rd in Ocala, Florida.  Over a dozen local establishments will be battling it out with their famous recipes for wings in hopes of being crowned the 2010 King of Wing.  A portion of the proceeds come back to the Hope Foundation benefiting ARC, so we’re proud to promote it.

In April, May and June we’ll be holding the 9^th Annual Hog for HopeTM events.  If you live in the area and have not participated in these fabulous, fun activities, you don’t know what you’re missing.  Calling all motorcycle riders for the April 17 Poker Run starting and ending at Harley Davidson of Ocala.  Then on May 27, we welcome all Chamber of Commerce businesses under the big tent for food, fun and prizes.  A new event for Hog for HopeTM will be the May 31, Memorial Day, Kids of Rock event where area teen rock bands will battle to see which group will be crowned the Hog for HopeTM Kids of Rock.  Then Hog for Hope wraps up on June 4 with Hog for HopeTM Blues & BBQ.  The annual event features the drawing for a one-off custom painted Harley Davidson motorcycle.

In August, the 7^th Annual Allstate Mortgage/Brady Ackerman Golf Scramble will be held at the newly remodeled Ocala Golf Club with all of the proceeds going to benefit the Scholarships for Hope program.  And finally, we wrap up the year with the 12^th Annual Elegant Evening of Thanks at Golden Ocala on November 19. 

We’ll have plenty going on throughout the year in addition to these great events, many of which have been around for several years.  While they are gaining steam and popularity, it’s time to mark your calendars now so that you won’t miss them in 2010. 

Thanks for your support and for helping us advocate for special people!