WWAARC scarecrow contest empowers people with disabilities to express creativity

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Warren, Washington, and Albany Counties ARC is putting on the 3rd annual scarecrow competition. The not-for-profit organization empowers and supports people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. This year in Albany, there are over 300 individuals involved in the competition and 21 scarecrows in the running.

There are competitions at two locations, including in the Capital District at 334 Krumkill Rd., Slingerlands, and in the Lake George Region at 426 Quaker Rd., Queensbury. All the scarecrows in the contest were put together by the program staff and those in the program.

Michelle Bielawa, the Assistant Executive Director of Employment and Day Services for WWAARC, said the contest allows the competitors to express their full creativity and ability to work with others.

"Being able to participate in any kind of activity, it's a sense of community, it's a sense of accomplishment and that's what we do," Bielawa said. "We work with people who have disabilities and we want them to have the best life and experiences that they can."

The contest winners are decided based on a voting system that involves public participation. The scarecrows are posted in the front lawn on Krumkill Rd. and Quaker Rd. Those who drive by the scarecrows are encouraged to take a look at each entry and cast their vote by going to the WWAARC website and filling out the contest form.

Voters can select their top three favorite scarecrows and submit the entry to WWAARC. Voting began on October 16 ends on October 31 at 11:59 p.m. The top three winners will get a prize.