Teen Sisters Named Arc of Orleans 'Best Friends'

Before The Arc of Orleans County sends a mailer out the door, sisters Abbie and Hannah Sugar likely have a role in the process, from proofreading to stuffing envelopes. The sisters from Albion are meticulous, and they sometimes are lifesavers, sparing the Agency from an embarrassing mistake.

"Everything they do, they do perfectly," said Kellie Spychalski, Arc Assistant Executive Director. "They catch everything. They're very detail-oriented."

The Arc presented Abbie, 14, and Hannah, 17, with its top award, its "Best Friend", during its annual awards banquet Friday at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club.

The Sugars also help with other Arc special events, from preparing for golf tournaments to running a craft station at Camp Rainbow. "They're wonderful young ladies," Spychalski said. "We hope to have them for many years."

The Sugars are home-schooled. Their parents, Matt and Sharon Sugar, made community service party of Abbie and Hannah's education. The sisters' aunt, Carole Mitchell, works at The Arc. She suggested they try volunteering in the Community Relations Department. That was three years ago. The girls typically stop in the office once a week.

"I enjoy interacting with the people," said Abbie, a sophomore. "They're all nice and very friendly." Hannah is a senior. She said the office tasks, including shredding paper, aren't drudgery. The Arc staff make the jobs fun, she said.

The Arc presented other awards on Friday, including:

• Community Service Award - Leslie Swanson, a member of The Arc's Self Advocacy All-Stars. She volunteers at Rainbow Preschool, assisting teachers and students.


• Self Advocate of the Year - Duane Montgomery, a Self Advocacy All-Star, who volunteered for The Arc at the 4-H Fair and the Founder's Fair. he also assisted Arc staff in diversity training.


• Heritage Award - Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, a long-time supporter of Arc events.


• Community Worker of the Year - Jeremy Cramer, who works with The Arc's maintenance crew, making repairs to Arc offices and residences.


• Enclave Worker of the Year - Kelly Steffen, an employee at Freeze-Dry Foods in Albion.


• Mobile Crew Worker of the Year - Robert Greer. An Arc employee since 2006, Greer is dependable and detailing working on the day crew.


• Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year - Jeremy Heye, a materials handling worker with outstanding attendance.


• Business Partnership Award - Freeze-Dry Foods in Albion. The company processes freeze-dries meats and retail pet food. Since 2009, Freeze-Dry has welcomed workers served by The Arc. Those workers pack product that will be shipped to stores.

(Courtesy of The Daily News in Batavia, New York / written by Tom Rivers)