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BOUTTE — Mardi Gras beads aren’t just a beloved Carnival season tradition; for more than 30 years, they have provided wage-earning job opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities in the New Orleans area.

Those attending the Luling and Des Allemands parades this weekend in St. Charles Parish should be on the lookout for the ARC of St. Charles truck at the end of the parade. It’s the only “float” in the parades that challenges the public to throw beads back instead of catching them.

ARC clients will learn the vocational skills needed to reach their full potential as they collect, sort and repackage beads to be used for the next Mardi Gras season.

The Krewe of Lul Mardi Gras Parade rolls today at noon in Luling, starting at Paul Maillard Road. The Krewe of Des Allemands rolls at 1 p.m. Sunday, starting on Whitley Road.

The Arc of St. Charles – Throw Me Something Mister Mardi Gras Merchandise Store has also partnered with Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park of Metairie. Donation collection bins are located at the Sky Zone location at 6509 Riverside Drive. A $2 discount for the trampoline park will be offered for every dozen of donated beads.

Stuffed animals and Mardi Gras throws are also being accepted. Please speak to a Sky Zone team member for more information.

The ARC of St. Charles can be reached at 985-785-0971.

The St. John ARC Day Development Training Center, located at 101 Bamboo Road in LaPlace, will not have trucks in the St. John the Baptist Parish parades this year. Please call 985-652-8003 to learn more about supporting adults with intellectual abilities in St. John.