Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2023
This is a time for us to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness to the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the town in which they live.
This month reminds us that we’re all part of a broad spectrum of intellectual and physical functioning. It is a chance to be more empathetic and to remind ourselves of the challenges we face in our own lives.
We were able to do our annual Coloring and Essay contest with the local elementary schools in Knox County. There were 1,132 participants, from 111 different classrooms, representing 12 different elementary schools in Knox County. (a blog post with pictures will be posted by the end of the month!)
Park National Bank generously donated a billboard space on Rt. 13 to spotlight our Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month billboard artwork.
A local Cub Scout troop out of Apple Valley is going to be volunteering at our Special Olympics Basketball Competition in Bladensburg on March 23rd. This will help them learn about all different abilities and achieve their Disabilities Awareness Belt Loop badge.
We were also able to host our annual Luncheon on March 8th where we were able to give out awards to 7 different people for their dedication, determination, and willingness to make Knox County a wonderful place for everyone to live, work and thrive. One of our board members, Korey Kidwell donated 15 copies of the book “We Move Together” to hand out at the luncheon. In addition to giving out awards, we had a community panel of different people and organizations that are working to make Knox County a more inclusive community for everyone. The panel was made up of Noelle Jordan, Brown Family Environmental Center, Chief Scott Mast and Brad Porter, Fredericktown Community Fire District Station 410, Bill Hanna, Ver-Mac Industries and Jocelyn Gilardi, local advocate.
Dedication Award: Tassi Rine (Caregiver A Step Up) & Cherish Bell (New Hope Industries)
Local Hero Award: HopeNow Furniture Bank of Knox County
Community Partner: Fredericktown Fire District Station 410
Employer Award: Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries, Inc.
Individual Spotlight: Diane Adkins & Brad Porter
2023 Award Winners. Pictured Left to Right: Lee Rhoads, Community Partner Award, HopeNow Furniture Bank of Knox County; Chief Scott Mast, Local Hero, Fredericktown Community Fire District Station 410; Brad Porter, Individual Spotlight; Diane Adkins, Individual Spotlight; Tassi Rine, Dedication, A Step Up Caregiver Homes. Not Pictured: Olivia VanDyke, Employer Award, Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries, Inc. and Cherish Bell, Dedication, New Hope Industries.