Arc march at Lindale Mall on Saturday morning

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Arc of East Central Iowa expects more than 800 participants for its annual Arc March on Saturday.

The march will be in the Lindale Mall food court, 4444 First Ave. NE, from 8 to 10 a.m.

The march takes place each March - Disabilities Awareness Month - and serves as an advocacy event and fundraiser.

The Arc is just short of reaching this year's fundraising goal of $80,000, said Lexi Coberly, event and mission outreach coordinator.

Coberly said those in the March come all over Eastern Iowa to have breakfast in the food court and then walk through the mall in event T-shirts.

'It's a big party to celebrate the ability in all of us,” Coberly said.

Proceeds help fund local programs, including home care and day care for those with disabilities.

The organization also provide respite services in homes to relieve caretakers for a few hours each week.

Other programs include respite getaways, where an individual stays in a group setting with trained staff for a daylong, overnight or weekend activity.

To donate, people can visit arceci.org

l Comments: (319) 368-8516; makayla.tendall@thegazette.com