The Arc Gateway

12/18/2025

Tonight's the night!! Join us at 6:00 PM for our Tree of Lights Ceremony! This milestone celebration shines a spotlight on 25 years of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while bringing our community together to honor the special people who light up our lives. The evening will feature the symbolic lighting of our dazzling Tree of Lights, a live reading of tributes by WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola Anchor Sue Straughn, and a heartwarming sing-along with our clients!

Support our Tree of Lights campaign by purchasing a light at https://treeoflightspensacola.org!

What: Tree of Lights Celebration
When: Thursday, December 18, 2025
Where: Cordova Mall - Near Dillard's

Presented by: Emerald Coast Hospice
With support from: Rusted Arrow Mercantile, Blues Angel Music, Tap the Coast, Crumbl and Cordova Mall

Join us tonight to honor those who have touched our lives and uplift the mission of care and compassion this holiday season!

12/17/2025

Some pics from our Christmas Dance last Friday! Santa is always a big hit!

Thank you to Zelica Grotto for always generously hosting us and this time bringing stuffed animals!!

We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday spirit!

12/16/2025

“Empowerment. The Arc Gateway empowers individuals and families to live fuller, more independent lives... That’s what it’s all about,” said David Peaden.

David is an External Affairs Manager for Florida Power & Light, representing Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Along with his service as Vice President of The Arc Gateway Agency Board of Directors, he serves on the Pensacola Beach Santa Rosa Island Authority, is Chair of the Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC), and is involved with CareerSource Escarosa, the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, and the SmartBank Advisory Board.

He also shared that he hopes our community continues to grow as a place “where everyone, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive and feel like they truly belong. When we invest in organizations like The Arc Gateway, we’re investing in that future.”

We’re grateful to have David’s leadership on our Agency Board. His perspective and commitment to empowering others make a meaningful difference to our mission and the people we serve.

12/15/2025

Tree of Lights is this Thursday, December 18th!! Join us at 6:00 PM at Cordova Mall, near Dillard’s! This meaningful ceremony brings our community together every year to honor the special people who light up our lives. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Let us know you’re coming in the comments, and feel free to drop any questions below!

Presented by Emerald Coast Hospice
With support from Tap the Coast, Crumbl, and Cordova Mall

You can find more information at treeoflightspensacola.org.

We’ll see you there!

12/12/2025

2026 Pups of Pensacola Calendars, presented by WolfGang Pensacola, are available for purchase at The Arc Gateway!!! Come by and pick one up, and while you're at it, pick out one of our beautiful client-made Christmas trees!!

Proceeds from the calendars go to support Pensacola Paw-di Gras, benefiting Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare!

Both the calendars and trees are available for purchase at The Arc Gateway's Pollak Training Center, located on the corner of Fairfield and 10th Ave. We'll see you soon!!

12/11/2025

Join us on Thursday, December 18th (One Week from Today!!) at 6:00 PM for our Tree of Lights Event! This milestone celebration shines a spotlight on 25 years of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while bringing our community together to honor the special people who light up our lives. The evening will feature the symbolic lighting of our dazzling Tree of Lights, a live reading of tributes by WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola Anchor Sue Straughn, and a heartwarming sing-along with our clients!

Support our Tree of Lights campaign by purchasing a light at https://treeoflightspensacola.org , with a minimum donation of $25 per tribute. Each contribution includes a notification to a loved one of your choice, along with a tax-deductible acknowledgment letter. The deadline to have your tribute read by Sue Straughn is Sunday, December 14.

What: Tree of Lights Celebration
When: Thursday, December 18, 2025
Where: Cordova Mall - Near Dillard's

Presented by: Emerald Coast Hospice
With support from: Tap the Coast, Crumbl and Cordova Mall

Join us in honoring those who have touched our lives and in uplifting the mission of care and compassion this holiday season!

The Arc Gateway provides life changing programs and services for more than 1,200 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Watch Video View Our Programs Schedule a Tour Watch … Continued

12/10/2025

The National Naval Aviation Museum Foundation brought the joy of flight to our South Santa Rosa program as part of their “Flights of Joy” holiday series! Participants joined together to build and fly festive paper airplanes, capturing the spirit of Christmas in a memorable way. Check out these photos of Christmasy aircraft and all the smiles and excitement they sparked!!

12/09/2025

Come join us at the Zelica Grotto Hall this Friday for our Christmas Dance!! There will be food, dancing, and rumor has it... someone named... Santa Claus???

This dance is open to any adult living with a disability in our community! No drop-offs. Everyone must be accompanied by a caretaker.

What: The Arc Gateway's Christmas Dance
When: Friday, December 12th 2025, 5–8 PM
Where: Grotto Hall, 1000 S K St, Pensacola, FL 32502

We can’t wait to see everyone there!!!

12/08/2025

We want to send a huge thank you to our amazing sponsors! Our Wreaths of Joy Gala was incredible Friday night, and it wouldn't have been possible without these awesome organizations and individuals!!

Thank you to:
The Russenberger Foundation
Torgersen Consulting Insurance & Benefits
Florida Blue
Navy Federal Credit Union
Florida Power & Light
Jewelers Trade Shop
Levin Papantonio
Waverly Advisors
Vannoy's Tires
Truist
Larry Tronu Mechanical
LocaliQ
Cat Country 98.7
Cantavespre Properties, Inc.
Appleyard Family Foundation
Mary & TJ Henriques
Jim & Ann Neal
Marianne & John McMahon
Joseph & Petrea Tomko
Margie & Alan Moore
Jean & Elise Dabezies
Jeff Thornton
Gayle Spurr

We also want to thank Swiftly Catered, Tap the Coast, and Lori D'Itri & Veronica Miele for all of their help making it a special evening!!

12/05/2025

Tonight’s the night! Our Wreaths of Joy Gala, presented by The Russenberger Foundation, celebrates and honors The Arc Gateway’s mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community, compassion, and opportunity.

We look forward to an evening of holiday elegance complete with stunning handcrafted wreaths, exciting silent and live auctions, and heartwarming performances. We’re also can’t wait for the amazing dishes prepared by Swiftly Catered and festive drinks crafted by Tap the Coast!

What: Wreaths of Joy Gala
When: Tonight! Friday, December 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Brownsville Community Center, 3200 West De Soto Street, Pensacola, FL 32505

Ring in the season with purpose and joy! To donate or explore event details, visit wreathsofjoy.org. We look forward to seeing you this evening!!!

12/04/2025

This wreath features vibrant ornaments in jewel tones, shimmering accents, and a bold striped ribbon that ties the entire design together. At its heart sits a charming nutcracker, bringing a touch of nostalgic Christmas magic.

Thank you to Artesana for generously donating this Nutcracker wreath! Bid on it and over 100 other items today at wreathsofjoy.org!!

12/03/2025

This playful wreath bursts with Christmas cheer and Grinchy mischief! Festive ribbons, pops of red and green, and a fuzzy Grinch centerpiece make this a standout holiday piece.

We're very grateful for Phyllis Walker for donating this fun "Holiday Grinch" wreath! Bid now on this wreath and over 100 other items at wreathsofjoy.org!!