Awful Gifts from Nice People: 10 Ways to say "Thank You"

We asked our clients how they handle thanking someone very nice for a gift that is pretty awful.

Here are their suggestions:

Pat: It's beautiful. But I don't think it will fit me.

Jason: Thank you for surprising me!

Donald: It's nice. I'd like to give it back to you, please.

Connie: I have other gifts to open so I'll try it on later.

Melvin: This is a nice present.

Sharon: Your gift is precious to me.

Vernae: I've never seen anything like this before!

John: I don't want to try it on, but thanks.

Vadim: Thank you. Maybe you can give this to someone else?

Beth: Everything is nice. Everything is a gift.

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Arc of San Francisco!

Our recent holiday celebration was a blast, beginning with a pizza party for 200, moving on to the client Talent Show and then out on to the dance floor. (Didn't know Santa could move like that.)

The party was the culmination of a busy week for staff, volunteers and wish list donors who really stepped up this year to support our clients needing not only a little cheer, but also some basic clothing and household items.

Thank you to everyone who made a tough year a little warmer and brighter for the people with developmental disabilities we are proud to serve.

Check out these photos.
Meredith

Meredith Manning
Community Outreach

International Day of People with Disabilities

Today, the United Nations and people all over the world are celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Events, forums, performances and advocacy activities will be taking place all day at the UN in New York and across the globe to promote awareness of disabilities issues and advances. From landmine victims in Bosnia-Herzegovenia to students with autism here in San Francisco, we all have much in common.
One of the key messages from the UN this year is "Difference is Natural."

I think this short video with stories of young people thousands of miles away says alot about the world of disability today.
WATCH VIDEO
Even though President Obama signed the UN Proclamation on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, we still have a long way to go before we have full inclusion for people with disabilities into all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Our agency is only a small part of the UN's effort to change the world, but we are waging equality for our clients every day in our community--as Arc job coaches, health advocates and skills instructors. With the passion and dedication of our staff, and the determination and will of our clients, we are all helping to make possible the UN's goal of dignity and justice for all the world's citizens.

Tim Hornbecker

CEO, The Arc of San Francisco