Wonderful News to Celebrate

The Arc of Stanly County is proud to announce that Miss Beth Townsend, self advocate, has been selected to receive the Bill Sackter Award, given by The Arc of the United States. This award recognizes an individual with disabilities who is an achieving and included member of our society. Beth will receive this award at The Arc of the United States convention in San Diego. 

Beth is a successful small business owner of “Celebration Gallery”. She has friends in the community that she visits and is very involved with her family. Beth has volunteered at a veterinarian’s clinic, a daycare facility and enjoys visiting people in the hospital and nursing homes. She likes to spend her spare time exercising, listening to music, skating, fishing and shopping. She especially enjoys spending time with her grandparents, nephew, godchildren and friends. She is past president of the Stanly County Challengers, a self advocacy group of about 50 members. 

Beth serves on the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee for PBH (formerly Piedmont Behavioral Healthcare) In this role, Beth reviews policies and plans that affect people in a five county region, and provides input as to the effects of these plans on people with disabilities. Beth often visits her legislators in Raleigh to talk about various bills that have been proposed. Beth is a strong representative for all people with disabilities, and through her determination and tenacity has indeed made her dreams come true.