Heritage Valley Ford of Putnam Partners with The Arc Eastern Connecticut’s Cookie Factor

Photo Captions: Jake Dykeman, owner of Heritage Valley Ford in Putnam, CT, recently purchased The Arc ECT’s cookie tins as a way to say thank you to new customers. By choosing to partner with The Arc Eastern Connecticut, Jake and his team are not only showing customer appreciation but also helping to empower and employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) here in eastern CT.

The Arc Eastern Connecticut is proud to recognize Heritage Valley Ford of Putnam for its generous and community-minded partnership with The Arc ECT’s Cookie Factory. The dealership has begun to present the Cookie Factory’s signature Classic Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies—packaged in a unique, fun cookie tin—as thank-you gifts to new customers. The Arc ECT’s Cookie Factory provides hands-on job training and paid employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Heritage Ford’s owner, Jake Dykeman, has long been dedicated to service in northeastern Connecticut. Since taking over the dealership in 2017, he has continued to look for meaningful ways to give back to the community—a gesture that continues the legacy of his grandfather, who opened the dealership in 1982.

“With this partnership, Jake and his team are not only thanking their customers, but they also are helping to empower and employ people with IDD locally,” said Barry Shead, General Manager of The Arc ECT’s micro-enterprises in Woodstock, CT. “This is what community partnership looks like: local businesses lifting up local nonprofits to make a difference.”

“We are deeply grateful to Heritage Valley Ford for their generosity and for driving positive change in our region,” said Kathleen Stauffer, CEO of The Arc ECT. “Their support demonstrates the power of local businesses to create inclusive, thriving communities.”

Dealerships and businesses across eastern Connecticut interested in participating in the Cookie Factory partnership program may contact Alison Swanson at aswanson@thearcect.org for more information.

About The Arc Eastern Connecticut

The Arc Eastern Connecticut is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting people with IDD in the communities of eastern Connecticut. Since its founding in 1952, the Agency has promoted inclusion, independence, and quality of life for people with IDD through advocacy, education, and community-based services. To learn more, please visit TheArcECT.org.