It's official: March is DD Awareness Month

Mayor Christina Muryn made it official on Tuesday: March 2025 is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Muryn made the proclamation at Tuesday's regular meeting of Findlay City Council. According to the proclamation, there are "more than 900 people with developmental disabilities supported by the Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors and co-workers encourage everyone to focus on the abilities of all people ..." In the proclamation, the mayor encouraged "all citizens to join in this celebration by spreading awareness of the many contributions offered by people with developmental disabilities in our community." The Hancock County Board of Commissioners is expected to issue its proclamation today. Blanchard Valley Center (BVC) has scheduled a host of events this month to offer everyone in the community a chance to join in the celebrations. The center, located at 1700 E. Sandusky St., manages Hancock County's services for individuals with developmental disabilities. BVC Superintendent Kelli Grisham said that March is a time when exceptional efforts are made to increase awareness of people with disabilities in the community. "In Hancock County, we focus on the individual every day, not just in the month of March," Grisham said. "With that said, it's great to have a month where we can showcase both the amazing individuals we support and the efforts of our equally amazing staff." The Aktion Club is also hosting a drive-thru hot dog lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the center as a fundraiser, with monetary donations being accepted. The club is a Kiwanis Service Leadership Program that provides adults with disabilities an opportunity to develop initiative and leadership skills and to serve their community. Throughout the month, about 40 kindergarten through second grade Hancock County classrooms have scheduled a guest reader to share the book, "Strictly No Elephants" by Lisa Mantchev. The bestselling and internationally acclaimed picture book tells the story of a local Pet Club that won't admit a boy's tiny pet elephant, so he finds a solution—one that involves all kinds of unusual animals. The book introduces issues surrounding clubs, club membership, the desire to belong and the value of accepting differences. Ten pop-up popcorn stands are scheduled with local businesses and schools. Check www.blanchardvalley.org for details on upcoming events under BVC Happenings. A display board will also be at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, 206 Broadway St., until March 15. On March 15, BVC staff will volunteer at the World Down Syndrome Day Carnival at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 800 S. Main St. in Findlay. The event is hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo. Then, on March 25, the celebrations will round out with the annual Celebrity Basketball Game between local celebrities and Special Olympians. Tip-off time is 7 p.m. at Findlay High School, 1200 Broad Ave.