The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
DD/DEEPWOOD GIVES BACK WITH WEEK OF SERVICE
Activities included a clean-up project at Headlands Beach
Ohio’s county boards of developmental disabilities celebrated 50 years of community support this week by performing service projects for various community entities.
“The #ALWAYSthere50 week of service July 17-21 is a way for all 88 of the Ohio county boards of DD to give back to the communities who have supported them for over 50 years,” said Elfie Roman, Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood superintendent.
According to Roman, the celebration is about the 50 years of House Bill 169 that enabled the county board system to begin.
“Lake County is fortunate that we have always had incredible support for individuals with developmental disabilities and were able to build Broadmoor in 1965, seven years earlier than House Bill 169,” she said.
A news release stated, “The mission of the Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood is to empower people with developmental disabilities to engage in
activities that enrich their lives and contribute to their community.”
DD/Deepwood’s week of service consisted of people and families who have been served by the program along with staff and professionals coming together to perform these services projects throughout the county as a way of saying thank you for the support.
“All of our programs and services volunteer in the community throughout the year, but scheduled special projects this week to support the Ohio Association of County Boards #ALWAYSthere50
week of service and show how Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood is always there for Lake County,” Roman said.
The week of service has seen some of the programs increase their volunteer time, while others created new programs to offer support to local first responders.
Some of the week’s activities have included a canned food drive and the delivery of shredded paper to the Lake Humane Society by the Adult Residential Center and Jacklitz Continuing Development Center, while Broadening Abilities baked cookies which were delivered by individuals and staff members to Lake County police departments.
Vocational Guidance Center baked and delivered cookies to Mentor Fire Station No. 5.
Veterans were recognized by the Community Employment Services Advocacy, which made cards and posters to present to the Veterans of the American Legion Post 214 in Willoughby.
Recreation Services/Special Olympics Department participated in a beach cleanup and cookout at Mentor Headlands Beach.
The participants all seemed to enjoy the service projects.
Those who participated in the beach cleanup answered with an enthusiastic yes when asked if they had fun that morning.