Celebrating Dedication and Excellence at the July TAC Awards Luncheon

The Arc Mercer Community Celebrates Excellence at the Monthly TAC Awards Luncheon

The Arc Mercer community came together once again for our Monthly TAC Awards Luncheon. This event honors employees and consumers who go above and beyond every day to make our mission a reality. During this luncheon, we recognized long-term service milestones and celebrated this month’s Rising Star and Employee of the Month. These two individuals are now among twelve candidates vying for top honors at our Annual Gala this fall.

Honoring Milestones in Service

This month, we proudly celebrated four individuals who reached significant work anniversaries with The Arc Mercer.

5-Year Honorees

• Ashlie Tuccillo, DSP, Senior Day

• Tracy Webb, BDSP, Horan

  
  

Each honoree received a customized Arc Mercer plaque, a $150 gift card, and a 5 Years of Service lapel pin. These awards commemorate their dedication and commitment.

15-Year Honorees

• Barbara Walker-McBean, DSP, Alice

• Felicia Howard-Goldware, DSP, Buttonwood

  
  

In honor of their 15 years of committed service, each honoree was presented with a customized plaque, a $250 gift card, and a 15 Years of Service lapel pin. These individuals exemplify loyalty and compassion in action.

Rising Star of the Month: Anthony Massari

Our June 2025 Rising Star of the Month is Anthony Massari from OTC-Yardville. Anthony was nominated by Rosemary Reed, Employment Specialist, who shared:

“His number one goal has been to earn the Rising Star award. He has been working on behavioral and vocational areas in order to reach this goal. Recently, he has been mentoring peers in the food service training program and has been putting an effort into using the coping mechanisms that staff have taught him.”

Anthony’s recognition includes a signed and framed certificate, a congratulations balloon, and a $100 gift card. His determination and growth are a testament to the power of goal-setting and teamwork.

Employee of the Month: Joann Bing

The June 2025 Employee of the Month award was presented to Joann Bing, DSP at the Alice Group Home. She was nominated by Paul Lagana, Assistant Executive Director of Residential/Recruitment.

Paul described Joann as:

“A dedicated advocate, a thoughtful listener, and—though quiet in demeanor—a true go-getter... Joann exemplifies what it means to be a great Mission Critical Staff member. Her empathy, dedication, and quiet strength make a lasting impact—not only on those she supports, but on the entire team.”

Joann’s recognition includes a signed and framed certificate, a $250 gift card, and an Employee of the Month lapel pin. Her unwavering support for the individuals at Alice Group Home reminds us of the transformative impact of everyday acts of care and encouragement.

Looking Ahead

Both Anthony and Joann are now eligible for the Rising Star of the Year and Employee of the Year awards. These awards will be announced at our Annual Gala this fall, joining a prestigious group of monthly honorees.

A special note of gratitude goes out to all the staff and leadership who submitted nominations. Our award recipients this month were chosen from a pool of inspiring submissions from across departments.

The Importance of Recognition

Recognizing the hard work and dedication of our team members is vital. It boosts morale and encourages others to strive for excellence. When we celebrate achievements, we foster a culture of appreciation. This culture not only benefits individuals but also strengthens our entire community.

We encourage everyone to continue nominating outstanding colleagues and consumers each month. Whether you’ve submitted before or it’s your first time, your voice matters. You can nominate as often as you'd like—the more stories we share, the more we celebrate the heart of The Arc Mercer.

Let’s keep the momentum going and continue recognizing the excellence around us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Monthly TAC Awards Luncheon is more than just an event; it is a celebration of commitment, growth, and community. Each honoree represents the values that The Arc Mercer stands for. As we look forward to the Annual Gala, let us remember the importance of recognizing and supporting one another. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.