The month of March is a time of celebration for the Scioto
County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD) as the nation celebrates
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
“March is a great time to learn more about developmental
disabilities and the services we provide at Scioto DD,” said Julie Monroe,
superintendent. “We try and get creative in how we share who we are, and what
we do and each year we do things that are fun and unique.”
The month kicks off with the release of a music video,
highlighting school spirit, which coincides with the theme of this year’s
Celebrity Basketball game, held as the grand finale for the month.
“We will be filming in all areas of our organization, which
consists of the Carousel Center, Vocation Station, Vern Riffe School and STAR,
Inc. Adult Services,” said Shawn Jordan, awareness coordinator. “The goal is to
share some snippets of a new family member that will be revealed at the
Hardwood Heroes game on March 28. The theme this year is school spirit. And the
lyrics to Toni Basi’s 80’s song ‘Oh Mickey’, have been rewritten to ‘Oh
Cardinal’ which is our school mascot.”
Jordan said this will be the third music video created
during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
“We try and get creative and have fun and show our community
the great things that are taking place within our walls,” Monroe said. “The
programs and services we provide create meaningful lives which is the mission
of our organization.”
Also slated for DD Awareness Month, and new for 2015, is the
first annual Eggstravaganza in Tracy Park, March 21 from noon to 2 p.m.
“This is something new for us,” explained Jordan. “We wanted
another way to make a connection with our community and decided to host an
Easter Egg Hunt. The event is free and open to the public. Everything, from the
eggs to the food has been provided through donations. There will be games,
prizes and food available. And, as always, it is a way for us to share all the
programs and services available at SCBDD.”
And, at the end of the month, the organization, in
conjunction with Special Olympics, will hold the fourth annual Hardwood Heroes
Celebrity Basketball game.
“This event is in its seventh year of existence, but when we
decided to brand it and pull in several other activities, it changed to a major
fundraising event for Special Olympics and we now pack the stands with fans
from all over the region,” said Monroe.
The Hardwood Heroes Celebrity Basketball Game will be held
on March 28 at Shawnee State University. The game will kick off with a surprise
this year as a new family member to the program will be revealed.
“We have individuals and staff members working hard to make
the kick-off of the basketball game very spectacular,” said Jordan. “I’m really
excited for this year’s game and I know several others are too.”
The Celebrity Basketball game begins at 1 p.m. Admission is $2 and all proceeds benefit
Special Olympics. More details on participating celebrities will be revealed at
a later date.