Growing Connections at Bordentown's Spring Festival

The Arc Mercer was proud to be part of Bordentown City's annual Spring Festival, a community celebration filled with local shopping, food, entertainment, and family fun. 

This year, the agency hosted a booth featuring flowers and plants grown through the Arc Mercer’s horticulture program, giving consumers the opportunity to showcase their hard work while gaining valuable real-world experience.

Throughout the day, consumers enthusiastically welcomed visitors, discussed the plants they helped grow, and practiced their customer service and retail skills. Their efforts paid off, with the booth generating $500 in plant sales. All proceeds will be reinvested directly into the horticulture program, helping support future projects and opportunities for consumers.

Beyond the sales, the event provided meaningful opportunities for community engagement. 

Consumers enjoyed interacting with festival attendees, answering questions about the program, and sharing flower crowns with children throughout the day. Their enthusiasm and confidence were on full display as they represented the Arc Mercer and demonstrated the many talents of the individuals served by the agency.

The success of the event was made possible by a dedicated team of staff volunteers who generously gave their time to support consumers and ensure the booth ran smoothly. Special thanks go to Residential Group Home Managers Kevin, Juan, Jackie, and Yinka, whose leadership and commitment played a major role in making the day a success.

The agency also extends its appreciation to Associate Executive Director Yasmin Qazilbash, who coordinated the Arc Mercer’s participation in the festival and helped organize every aspect of the event.

The Spring Festival was more than a fundraiser, it was an opportunity for consumers to build confidence, develop employment-related skills, and connect with members of the community. 

The day served as another example of how the Arc Mercer continues to create meaningful experiences that promote inclusion, growth, and independence while showcasing the incredible abilities of the people it serves.