2024 Year in Review from Our Executive Director Clint Bower

MARC is in its 58th year of providing services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Keys.

2026 will be the 60th anniversary of the Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens doing ReMARCable things for the people they serve.

2024 saw some big changes at MARC, most notably the retirement of Executive Director Diana Flenard in August and the arrival of the new Executive Director, me, Clint Bower.

Diana was Executive Director at MARC for over 25 years and worked at MARC for over 40 years, so as you can imagine I have some pretty big shoes to fill.

Having spent the last 30 years in leadership roles in South Florida, I was very familiar with MARC and the great work they did in the Keys.  I often joked with Diana that she had my dream job.  Who wouldn’t want to lead this great organization that is so respected in the community, and get to live in the Keys.  I am truly honored and look forward to the years ahead as we do even bigger and better things.

Some of those bigger and better things have already begun.  Thanks to the great team at the MARC plant store we have redesigned the layout and significantly enhanced the products being sold. 

We have added a Butterfly Garden which will be dedicated to Diana Flenard in June.  We have also created a Memorial Garden where will remember those individuals that were part of the MARC family that have passed on by placing a stone with each individuals name, date of birth and date of passing.  Their memory will live on forever at MARC.

MARC bases its services on each individual’s needs and life wishes. Every attempt is made to ensure each individual is a full member of their community.  The foundation for this approach is based on the fundamental belief in the self-worth of every person.

We retired our Master Chef Classic for now and replaced it with March is for MARC. March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and was established by President Reagan in 1987.  We have come a long way since then.

We have continued with our Tour de Keys 100 Mile Bike Ride and will be partnering with AH of Monroe to make it even bigger and better. In 2025 the Tour De Keys will be held on November 22nd.

We expanded our fundraisers such as our Pumpkin Patch, Christmas Tree Sale, and Decorated Christmas Tree and Wreath Auction, with more fundraisers to come next year.  

Our Plant Store and Thrift Store in the Upper Keys are thriving and support us when State and Federal dollars are lacking.

We look forward to the year ahead and what the future will bring.