The Arc Mercer's 2025 Constellation Gala: Shining a Light on Excellence
- Sam Stolz
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Arc Mercer's third annual Constellation Gala, a celebration taken place over two nights recognizing the dedication and excellence of frontline staff supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, featured a night of awards and heartfelt moments at the Masonic Temple in Trenton, New Jersey.
A Moment That Defined the Night
"We love you, Walter," echoed through the room, a wave of arms rising in unison.Â
Walter W., a beloved member of The Arc Mercer family for nearly 30 years, was in the hospital, facing his final days. Executive Director Steve Cook, after sharing Walter's impending passing with the gathered crowd, led a celebration of life.Â
This raw and deeply moving moment, captured on video to bring joy to Walter in his final hours, became the heart of the gala. It was a powerful reminder that The Arc Mercer is more than an agency; it’s a family, where the dedication of staff and the well-being of consumers are intrinsically linked.Â
With this powerful moment as a backdrop, the third annual Constellation Gala proudly celebrated the remarkable achievements of its frontline staff.
Celebrating Stellar Achievements: A Focus on Excellence
The awards commenced with the presentation of the coveted Gold and Platinum Star Awards, recognizing homes that consistently exceeded expectations in medication management, recreational activities, and therapeutic practices.
4th Quarter Gold Star Winners:Â Great Woods and Vanderveer were lauded for their outstanding performance in the final quarter.
4th Quarter Platinum Star Winners:Â Alice, Avalon, Buttonwood, Darrah Lane, Forest, Hilltop, Horan, Metekunk, Project Freedom, and VanDeusen earned the prestigious Platinum Star for their exceptional standards.
All Star Award Winners (Gold or Platinum Star Every Quarter):Â Plum, Buttonwood, Forest, Great Woods, and Vanderveer achieved the remarkable feat of consistent excellence, earning All Star status.
Platinum All Star Award Winners (Platinum Star Rating All of 2024):Â Cedar Lane, Colonial, Compton, Murray, Village, Phaeton, Alice, Avalon, Darrah Lane, Hilltop, Metekunk, Horan, and Van Deusen reached the pinnacle of achievement, demonstrating unwavering dedication and unparalleled excellence throughout the entire year.
Highlighting Exceptional Performances
The gala also celebrated individual and team achievements in key areas:
Hercules Award – Excellence in Therap Documentation: Colonial was honored with the Hercules Award for their meticulous and accurate documentation within the Therap software, highlighting their commitment to efficiency and precision.
Andromeda Award – Excellence in Medication Administration: Horan once again set the standard for excellence in medication administration, achieving a flawless record. Notably, the agency as a whole demonstrated remarkable precision, with 15 homes achieving zero errors and an overall error rate of only 0.000029% out of 510,490 doses administered.
Pegasus Award – Excellence in Recreation Participation: Phaeton was recognized with the Pegasus Award for their exceptional dedication to recreational activities, fostering community integration and engagement.
A Night of Festivities and Recognition
Beyond the awards, the evening was filled with celebration. Attendees enjoyed dinner, an open bar, a photo booth, and a raffle with exciting prizes including six bikes, six televisions (two 75-inch, two 65-inch, and two 55-inch), four tablets, two Google Nests, two massage guns, and a Yeti cooler.Â
Executive Director Steve Cook and board members delivered speeches praising the staff's dedication and emphasizing the agency's commitment to its consumers.
A Family Bound by Care and Recognition
The passing of Walter W. just hours after he viewed his tribute served as a great reminder that within The Arc Mercer, every individual is valued, loved, and remembered. The gala, with its focus on recognizing staff excellence, was deeply intertwined with this display of human connection.Â
It showcased that The Arc Mercer is a family where recognition is key, and mission critical staff and leadership love their consumers as their own. The celebration of professional achievement and the deep, heartfelt care for their consumers are two sides of the same coin, reflecting the agency's commitment to both excellence and genuine, familial support.