Arc of Onondaga Foundation is pleased to announce that Peter and Mary Beth Carmen will be co-chairs of the 14th Annual Arc Achievement Awards Dinner.  Mr & Mrs. Carmen are longtime supporters of Arc of Onondaga and aim to bring Arc's signature event to a new level in 2008.

Mary Beth Carmen serves on the Board of Trustees for Syracuse Stage.  She is an alumna of Syracuse University with a master's degree in social work and holds a B.A. from Colgate University.  In addition to enjoying outdoor activities, Mary Beth is also an active parent volunteer at Manlius Pebble Hill, where their children, Maggie and Jack, attend school.

Peter Carmen is a member of the Arc of Onondaga Foundation's board of directors and served as its first President from 2004 to 2007.  Peter is the General Counsel for the Oneida Indian Nation and a member of the Onondaga County Bar Association.  Peter is an alumnus of Brandeis University and received his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.

"We're very excited to have Peter and Mary Beth Carmen as our Dinner Co-Chairs for 2008," says Stanfort Perry, Arc of Onondaga Executive Director.  "Our staff is looking forward to working closely with them."

The Carmens are both natives of Syracuse where they currently reside with their two children.  The Arc Achievement Awards Dinner celebrates the achievements of people with developmental disabilities from our community and supports the Arc of Onondaga Foundation.

Arc of Onondaga is the largest provider of services for people with developmental disabilities in the county.  Arc of Onondaga, a non-profit division of NYSARC, Inc., serves over 2,000 individuals and their families at over local 36 sites.  It is the mission of Arc of Onondaga to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve their fullest potential.

For more information, contact:
Michael Kieloch
Marketing & Communications Specialist
(315) 476.7441, extension 144
mkieloch@arcon.org or visit www.arcon.org