Ridge Area Arc Foundation History

Ridge Area Arc was founded in 1957 by Franklyn and Mary Ellen Ward, along with a group of local parents who had children with developmental disabilities.

Our founding parents’ love for their children has grown into the Ridge Area Arc of today, which is the community’s largest, most comprehensive provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A special group of investors rallied around Ridge Area Arc in 1994 making large gifts to create the Ridge Area Arc Foundation.

The mission of the Foundation is to secure funds through estate planning and other measures and invest funds specifically for endowing the programs and services of Ridge Area Arc.

The Foundation is steadfast in its belief that with the help of caring members of our community, the Ridge  Area Arc will continue to provide necessary programs for people with developmental, intellectual, and other disabilities for generations to come.

Examples of Legacy Gifts

Eckstadt Educational Center

A Highlands County teacher named Mary Eckstadt bequeathed her home to Ridge Area Arc. The house was transported to a spot on the campus and now provides a unique and historical space for our Adult Basic Education program. Through a partnership with South Florida State College, two educators provide a specialized curriculum that includes: reading, writing, math, and money.

Arc’s Secret Santa

Mr. Joseph Kursar may have been an ordinary man but to Arc he was extraordinary. Mr. Kursar acted as our Secret Santa for years, making a donation that was to go to the Arc staff at Christmas time to honor the great work they did all year. The magic started for him one day in a doctor’s office when he observed an Arc employee interacting with an individual with disabilities with care, compassion, and dignity. This employee touched his heart and so Mr. Kursar, Secret Santa to Arc began. Mr. Kursar wished to remain anonymous while he was alive and that wish was always honored. Unfortunately, Mr. Kursar passed away in 2016 but not before giving direction to his financial advisor to continue his Secret Santa gift to Arc employees. Our Arc Secret Santa lives on through this bequest to the Ridge Area Arc Foundation.

How Can You Help?

Make a Gift to the Foundation!

The following gifts are accepted:

  • Cash
  • Securities—Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds
  • Real Estate
  • Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts
  • Charitable Lead Trusts
  • Retirement Plan Beneficiary  Designations
  • Bequests—Wills, Trusts
Donate through PayPal

A planned gift usually involves financial, estate, or tax planning, and frequently involves a professional advisor. Some planned gifts can provide donors with income for life and most gifts provide significant income tax deductions.

When deciding what type of gift to give, feel free to contact Arc or visit us at www.ridgeareaarc.org, to learn more about our areas of service, current programs, and upcoming events.

We appreciate your considering investing in a partnership with the Ridge Area Arc Foundation.