November 2026

The Arc Connection

Gratitude and Care for Others

As November begins, many of the people we encounter are talking about Thanksgiving and what it means to them—time with family, favorite traditions, and an opportunity to pause and give thanks.

We also hear about the challenges this season can bring. Changes in school schedules can create childcare needs and disrupt familiar routines. Finding enough money for a holiday meal can be difficult when a family is already struggling to cover everyday expenses. As the air turns colder, heating costs begin to climb. We have already received several calls from people needing firewood to warm their homes.

November invites us to hold both gratitude and concern for others in our hearts. At The Arc, we are thankful for everyone who helps us respond: volunteers who give their time, donors and supporters who provide resources, board members who guide our work, and community partners who connect families with us. Sharing information about our programs and making a referral can open the door to much-needed support.

Our team is also working to fulfill over 200 requests through Operation Santa, with help from generous supporters who bring joy to others during the holidays.

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, thank you for helping us care for our neighbors. Your kindness makes a difference throughout the year.

Linda McDaniel
Executive Director

The Community Table: Learning, Connecting, and Working Together

On October 21, The Arc of Buncombe County hosted The Community Table Lunch & Learn, bringing together representatives from agencies serving Western North Carolina. Through conversation and a group activity facilitated by Brandy Mills, participants explored how their work connects and how stronger coordination could help individuals and families find support.

Participants valued meeting people from other agencies and discovering resources, including camp programs, aging services, car repair assistance, and volunteer connections. Discussions highlighted the importance of clear eligibility guidelines, current contact information, and easy-to-understand referral processes. Transportation and interpretation were also identified as areas where additional partners are needed at the table.

Feedback offered helpful direction for future gatherings: more time for individual connections, smaller group discussions, and shared information about available services. The conversations reinforced a common goal: helping people connect with the support they need.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experience and ideas, to Brandy Mills for facilitating, and to WNC Bridge Foundation for providing the gathering space. We look forward to building on these connections!

Shop for a Cause: Belk Charity Sale

Get a head start on holiday shopping while supporting The Arc of Buncombe County! We are one of the charities selling tickets for the Belk Charity Sale, November 13–15, during regular store hours at every Belk location.

Tickets are just $5, and 100% of the proceeds from tickets purchased through The Arc support our work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Your ticket includes $5 off your first purchase, plus an additional 25% off with a stackable coupon!

How can you get your ticket? Tickets are available now at The Arc office! Contact Joyce at joyce@arcofbc.org or call 828-253-1255. You can also purchase tickets from our volunteers at Belk on November 13 or 14.

Want to shop early? The presale begins November 1! Select your items in advance, and Belk will process your purchase on November 13. Your purchases will be available for pickup beginning that morning.

Shop, save, and support The Arc—all at the same time!

Coupon exclusions and restrictions apply.

Operation Santa Still Needs Your Help!

With more than 200 Operation Santa requests this year, The Arc of Buncombe County is working hard to make the holidays brighter for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, shopping is underway! However, we still need financial donations to help cover gift cards and holiday meals for the individuals and families we serve.

Want to help? There are several ways to make a difference!

• Make a donation: Your gift will help us provide gift cards, holiday meals, and other essentials to families this holiday season. Donate to Operation Santa.

• Shop for someone: If you would like to fulfill a wish list and have not yet been assigned one, call 828-253-1255

Client Spotlight: Timing Is Everything

One recent Friday, Arc staff were scheduled to be off-site but stopped by the office to pick something up. While they were there, the phone rang.

A former client was calling. Her power had just been disconnected. At home, she had an elderly parent who relied on oxygen and a child with autism whose communication devices needed charging. She did not know who else to call so late in the day.

We were there to answer.

Through our Hope & Healing Program with Vaya Partners, we were able to have her power restored within ten minutes.

Timing is everything. For this family, a phone call answered and an urgent need prioritized made an immediate difference. At The Arc, we listen, respond, and work with families to turn moments of crisis into relief.

Your support makes stories like these possible. Whether you give, volunteer, or help connect families with resources, you are part of the difference The Arc makes in our community.