It’s been way too long since the The Arc of Northeastern PA staff saw members.

On Saturday they arranged a parade for their 22 members who live in Carbon County. With signs, balloons and decorations, Arc members and staff filled with tears when they saw each other for the first time in two months.

Established in 1950, The Arc’s mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while supporting their inclusion in their community throughout their lifetimes.

“We take them out and do everything you and I like to do - we go to movies, we go to plays, we go shopping, we go to flea markets, hiking, walking, ice cream, pizza,” Mari Pizur, manager of recreation and advocate, said.

Pizur said it’s been difficult for both the staff and Arc members to adjust to not seeing one another due to the COVID-19 regulations. She said they hold gym classes and other activities through the webchat feature called Zoom, but not all members have the capability to attend.

The Arc has also been reaching out to members through phone calls and sending cards and coloring pictures, but Pizur said everyone missed seeing each other. She said it’s hard for some of the members to understand why they couldn’t see their friends, which she said could lead to feelings of abandonment.

An Arc staff member of nearly 13 years, Sheila Hartranft thought about what she and the organization could do to bring the members together, and had the idea to organize a parade in which the Arc staff would visit each home of every member in Lackawanna county. After it proved to be a success, Hartranft said they decided to do the same for Carbon.

After decorating two of the Arc’s vans, the company vehicle and the staff’s personal cars, the staff members and volunteers set out to visit each member, many of which were waiting with excitement to see their friends.

“We were told they were coming to visit us around 2:30 p.m. but Samantha started watching for them around 2,” said Diane Siani, a parent.

Diane’s husband John said The Arc has always been a social outlet for his daughter Samantha, and he was happy the organization was still able to provide that despite the virus.

“They really took a negative with the virus, and turned it into a positive,” John said.

Marge Lapos, parent of Arc member Eugene Lapos, said it was more than she was expecting. She said her son was outside holding signs and ringing bells while he waited to see everyone.

“It’s hard because he usually goes to the day programs but everything was taken away,” Marge said. “He really needed something like this to make him happy and lift his spirits.”

It wasn’t just the Arc members and their families that enjoyed the experience. Many of the staff members said it was one of the best things they could’ve done for both the staff and the members.

Stephanie Bongo, Arc staff member, said that seeing everyone after with smiles on their faces made her heart happy.

“Putting a smile on their faces and their parent’s faces is why I did this,” Hartranft said. “They are my concern 24/7/365 … they are family and not just people we provide services to.”

Although all events are currently postponed until further notice, those with development or intellectual disabilities and their families are able to contact The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania to get involved.

Visit www.thearcnepa.org.