Alhambra brings Christmas cheer to ARC individuals

Through the joy in their eyes the appreciation in their hearts was evident for more than 40 intellectually challenged individuals who gathered for a very special Christmas celebration on Dec. 17 in Plaquemine.

The event at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center was sponsored by The Arc – Iberville,  which offers assistance to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The men and women were all smiles as they eagerly dug into their gifts, discovering with delight what surprises Santa had brought.

Nearby, the joy was equally evident in the faces of the members of Alhambra, an international Catholic organization that works with intellectually disabled men and women. Alhambra, which has roots dating to 1904, is the only “caravan,” or Alhambra group, in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

“It’s something to see and is touching,” said Chuck Brown, supreme commander for a far-reaching region that includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and extends into Puerto Rico.

“(The clients) are so enthusiastic,” Brown added. “Just to see the appreciation on their faces when they open their Christmas gifts. They are tickled to death.”

The Christmas giveaway is undeniably the highlight for the 45-member Muret 68, the name for the Plaquemine-based group, but it’s only one of several activities in which they participate with ARC. 

At Mardi Gras, Alhambra members will host a pizza party at the  ARC building in Plaquemine and perhaps for a similar outing at Halloween. If a need arises during the year, Alhambra will help meet that need and usually donates an annual gift of $1,000.

“We don’t do a lot of hands-on (activities); there is a staff that does that,” Brown said. “It’s more of a social visit. We’ll talk to them, ask how they are doing.”

“Just to see the appreciation on their faces when they open their Christmas gifts. They are tickled
to death.”

Chuck Brown

Supreme Commander of Alhambra
 

Brown said members are able to get to know the ARC “clients,” which they find rewarding.

Linda Wilson, executive director of ARC in Plaquemine, expressed her appreciation to Alhambra during a recorded speech that was shown at the dinner on Dec. 17. She touched on the support the organization provides and how that assistance enriches the lives of the individuals ARC serves.

“I feel like we are doing something that needs to be done and the people appreciate it,” said Brown, a former Knights of Columbus member who has been involved with Alhambra for 27 years. “A friend of mine talked to me about getting involved and ever since then I’ve been a member.”

But even among the glitz of the Christmas event Brown’s thoughts drifted to how to address a declining membership. Brown recalled how when he first joined the organization he was placed on a waiting list since the maximum number of members at that time was 65. 

At one point Baton Rouge also had an Alhambra caravan but that folded years ago.

“It’s hard to get people involved, especially young people. They are so busy,” said Brown, who noted the majority of members in Muret 68 are in the mid-60s and older. “There is not a lot of time (for young families) and that is one of the reasons we have a harder time to get people to join.”

But he did say whenever he or another member has invited someone to attend an ARC event, that person usually joins. 

“I tell people to come to the ARC and see what goes on there. If we get people over there, show you what we do and you see the delight and the appreciation these people have; if that doesn’t move you you probably won’t join,” he said. “We just need to get them there.

Muret 68 is hosting a regional meeting Jan. 8 from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., at which time three new members will be installed. Following the meeting, the group will attend vigil Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine.  

Anyone wishing to join Alhambra can call Brown at 225-571-6759.