Dear MARC Family,
Every person deserves the chance to live a life full of purpose, joy, and belonging — regardless of ability. Will you help make that possible this Giving Tuesday?
Across Connecticut, almost 400,000 people, 11% of the population, live with a disability, highlighting the critical need for supportive programs.
For 73 years, MARC, Inc. of Manchester has created opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live lives of independence, choice, inclusion, and personal growth. Our wide range of programs supports adults with disabilities through Residential Services, Day Programs, Employment, Recreation, Supportive Technology, and Transportation.
With the rising need of services for the IDD community, we need your help now more than ever.
Your donation helps carry on the work that shaped lives like the late Jeanne Keneally, one of MARC’s first participants who lived our mission every day.
Jeanne’s life began with challenges only few could imagine. After suffering a brain injury at birth, she faced both intellectual and physical barriers, yet she radiated perseverance and joy. Her mother, Vera Keneally, refused to accept a world with limited opportunities for her daughter and other children with disabilities. In the early 1950s, she and a group of determined parents took action to create something remarkable:
MARC, Inc. of Manchester.
That moment, born out of a mother’s love and a community’s courage, became the foundation of everything we do today.
Over the decades, Jeanne thrived because of the opportunities made possible through the organization. Through our Employment services, she worked at Pratt & Whitney, Travelers Insurance, and several other local businesses — cleaning engine parts, sorting papers, and taking pride in every task. These meaningful work experiences gave Jeanne more than a job, they helped her develop confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose.
Through our Recreation program, Jeanne enjoyed bowling on the MARC league (with her mother Vera keeping score!) and never missed a party or picnic. The organization became more than just a place to go. It was her family, a community where she truly belonged, laughed, and shared her light with everyone around her.
This Giving Tuesday, will you help continue the life-changing services that empowered Jeanne and others with IDD?
Why This Mission Matters to Me:
Jeanne and I grew up in the same neighborhood, spending countless afternoons together with her family and building lifelong friendships. When I began working at MARC 30 years ago, I had no idea Jeanne was also receiving services there and that our paths would cross again. Today, I have the privilege of leading the very organization that helped shape her life. Continuing the mission that began with Vera’s unwavering vision is more than just my work, it’s a personal calling that honors the neighbors, friends, and early connections that first made this community feel like home.
Jeanne’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact these programs have and the need is only growing. As the number of individuals with IDD grows, so does the need for support, with services expected to cost $158 billion by 2031.
This Giving Tuesday, your support helps meet that need here in our community.
Our relationship shows what happens when inclusion spans generations. MARC is more than just an organization; it’s a community where compassion and advocacy builds legacies.
Now, as we honor Jeanne’s lifetime of dedication, we see her spirit passed on to the next generation. Individuals like Jacob Blanck continue MARC’s mission through their advocacy. His accomplishments include:
- Serving as the first Greater Manchester Chamber of -Commerce board member with a disability.
- Mentoring peers in Assistive Technology.
- Featured performer at a Sea Tea Improv comedy night in Hartford, CT.
- Earning recognition from organizations such as DraftKings and CT Insider for his passion for libraries and creative book displays.
This Giving Tuesday, will you help honor trailblazers like Jeanne and support the next generation of advocates, empowering others to flourish and achieve their aspirations?
Your gift directly funds programs that give individuals with disabilities the opportunities Jeanne experienced — meaningful work, joyful recreation, lasting friendships, and a true sense of belonging.
This Giving Tuesday, your support will help:
- Provide job training, preparing individuals for competitive employment.
- Provide communication devices like speech-generating tools for Assistive Technology.
- Keep seniors engaged with arts, crafts, and other leisure activities.
- Continue MARC’s legacy of inclusion and advocacy so everyone can thrive.
What will the next 70 years of MARC look like with your support?
From the comfort of your home, you can make a direct impact today.
Your Gift. Their Future. It All Starts With You.
With gratitude,
Kevin Zingler
President & CEO
P.S. To make a donation, please visit the Giving Tuesday page on marcct.org or click Donate (heart button) in the top right corner of our website.
