Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

For more information contact:
Mellissa Lang
Director of Marketing and Public Affairs
phone: 914.949.9300,
ext. 4618
fax: 914.997.2985
or 914.428.0322
mlang@westchesterarc.org

Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
914.949.8200

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Press Release

21st Annual MBIA Invitational Continues
Tradition of Giving

WHITE PLAINS , NY, October 7, 2005 —The 21st annual MBIA Invitational raised $330,000 on September 19 in support of services for people with developmental disabilities. All proceeds will go to the Westchester Arc Foundation and Special Olympics Hudson Valley. The event continued to draw record crowds, with 450 participants hitting the links and tennis courts at Anglebrook Golf Club, Mount Kisco Country Club and Whippoorwill Club.

Gary Dunton, MBIA CEO and event co-chair, gave his personal thanks to all for participating in the event “The money we’ve raised this year supports these worthwhile organizations and enables them to provide programs that foster self-esteem, independence and joy in the lives of people with developmental disabilities in our community. What makes this a great day are the camaraderie and the compassion that exist in our industry.”

Anne Sweazey, executive director of the Westchester Arc Foundation, also expressed appreciation. "The MBIA Invitational exemplifies the spirit of giving," she commented. "We're so thankful to everyone who generously donated their time, energy and funds to make this day a success."

Thomas Hay, Special Olympics Hudson Valley executive director, noted, "The MBIA Invitational has helped secure the future of those we serve. Working with MBIA maximizes the effectiveness of both Special Olympics and Westchester Arc. We are extremely appreciative for MBIA's support through the years."

Celebrities in attendance included sports legends Ralph Branca and Emerson Boozer, along with actors Tony LoBianco and John Paul Lavossier. Comedian Jim Morris served as the award banquet's master of ceremonies. A highlight of the evening was presentation of the annual Charles R. Kingsley Award to the Angi family of Yorktown Heights for their longtime activism on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

MBIA Inc. (NYSE: MBI), through its subsidiaries, is a leading financial guarantor and provider of specialized financial services. MBIA's innovative and cost-effective products and services meet the credit enhancement, financial and investment needs of its public and private sector clients, domestically and internationally. MBIA Inc.'s principal operating subsidiary, MBIA Insurance Corporation, has a financial strength rating of Triple-A from Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Fitch Ratings, and Rating and Investment Information, Inc. MBIA has offices in London, Madrid, Milan, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Tokyo.

Westchester Arc is the largest organization in the county serving children and adults who have developmental disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. To signal a deepening desire by people with disabilities and their families for community inclusion, Westchester Arc recently revised its name. As Westchester "Arc" (rather than "ARC"), the agency name symbolizes its work to bridge gaps and build supportive connections between people with developmental disabilities and the community. Westchester Arc is funded through both public and private means.

Special Olympics Hudson Valley is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for individuals with disabilities.

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