The Loretta Mc Gowan Found. and Mc Gowan Bldrs. donate $40,000

The Loretta Mc Gowan Foundation and Mc Gowan Builders, Inc. donated $40,000 to The Candle Lighters. The Candle Lighters is a non-profit raising funds for The ARC of Essex County, an organization sponsoring a variety of programs for the developmentally disabled and their families living in northern N.J. Patrick Mc Gowan, The Loretta Mc Gowan Foundation board chairman and Mc Gowan Builders President and CEO, said, "We are very proud to support The Candle Lighters and affiliated programs for developmentally disabled children and adults in N.J. My aunt, Loretta Mc Gowan, who lived with down syndrome, had taught my brothers and I about the true meaning of generosity, love, and happiness. She has enriched our lives and we miss her dearly. We dedicate today's donation to Loretta's memory and hope to help children and adults with developmental disabilities experience happier and more fulfilling lives." Judy Bellina, coordinator of Stepping Stones Early Intervention and Volunteer Supports for The ARC of Essex County, accepted the check and expressed the organization's gratitude for the donation, "We are very grateful for the generosity of The Loretta Mc Gowan Foundation and Mc Gowan Builders. This is the single largest donation The Candle Lighters has received since its founding in 1974. The funds we received today constitute more than half of our annual budget and will benefit more than 250 children and adults with disabilities." The Loretta Mc Gowan Foundation fosters research of down syndrome and supports individuals and families that experience developmental disabilities. In addition to providing an on-going assistance, the foundation's long-term goal is to establish a research, education, and resource facility focused on issues related to down syndrome. Patrick Mc Gowan and his brothers Martin and Thomas founded the organization in honor of their aunt. Despite her lifelong struggle with down syndrome, she led a fruitful and happy life with the Mc Gowan family in County Sligo, Ireland. The Loretta Mc Gowan Foundation's donation will fund a variety programs managed by The ARC of Essex County. These include: * Stepping Stones Early Intervention and School, a program designed to meet the needs of children birth to three years of age with down syndrome or other developmental disabilities. * Camp Hope, a day camp for campers with developmental disabilities, ages five through adult. The camp has been in operation for over 50 years and provides a structured and caring environment for disabled children and adults. * Down Syndrome Parent to Parent - a crucial program specifically designed to support new parents of children with down syndrome. Among other services, it provides informational packets containing the latest medical information, books, brochures, and resources. ARC provides approximately 150 packages, free of charge, to parents and medical professionals every year. The cost of each package to ARC is $25. * Super Saturday is a playgroup for children age two to eight with down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The group meets on Saturday mornings and the children participate in gross motor activities, such as Junior Special Olympics, yoga, games, and other activities that support development of physical and social interaction skills. ARC provides this program for free. * North Jersey Parent Support Group of Essex County sponsors monthly support group meetings for parents of children with down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. This provides parents with an opportunity to meet other families and discuss issues related to raising a child with a disability. There is no fee for this service.