Events Brochure by mmflipbooks

A WORD FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

Each year, the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) hosts several free and accessible events that provide a fun atmosphere for families, friends, and neighbors to gather for a day of community integration.

Each event has a different goal, whether to share the supports and services provided by WCBDD, to raise funds for causes that affect individuals with disabilities, to provide learning and growing opportunities, or to create an accepting environment for friends to have fun together. Whichever the circumstance, WCBDD aims to provide an inclusive and empowering event for everyone in our community.

This guide was created to provide a brief overview of our annual events. For additional information about each event, please refer to our website at warrencountydd.org or contact:

Community Relations Coordinator Megan Becker at megan.becker@warrencountydd.org or (859) 653-7445.

Community Integration Coordinator Rhonda Schutte at rhonda.schutte@warrencountydd.org or (513) 806-3809.

ABOUT THE BOARD OF DD

The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities is governed by a seven member board of volunteers. Five Board members are appointed by the Warren County Commissioners, and two are appointed by the county’s Probate Court Judge. Board members’ terms are for four years, and members may serve no more than three consecutive terms.

Every winter, Warren County community members come together to participate in the

The Polar Plunge is the largest community fundraising event dedicated to supporting athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants, whether individuals or teams, collect pledges from friends, family, and their communities to take an icy plunge in the frigid waters of Caesar Creek – all in the name of inclusion!

WHEN: Saturday, February 1. Registration starts at 11 a.m. and the plunge begins at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Caesar Creek State Park located at 8570 OH-73, Waynesville, OH 45068.

WHY: To raise funds for Special Olympics Ohio to support sports, health education, and leadership programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Interested in participating in the Polar Plunge? Contact Rhonda Schutte at rhonda.schutte@warrencountydd.org.

Not sure you want to brave the icy waters? No problem! Show your support through donations or by cheering on your friends at the Polar Plunge.

The Polar Plunge is Special Olympics Ohio’s largest community fundraising event. The Plunge is a significant achievement for every team that fundraises for Special Olympics, adorns unique costumes, and bonds through the freezing waters of Caesar Creek.

Special Olympics Ohio is part of the global inclusion movement using sports, health education, and leadership programs to empower people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in 19 different sports for nearly 22,000 children and adults.

The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities is especially proud to be involved in the Polar Plunge in celebratoin of our

Superintendent, Megan Manuel, who is also the Chair of Special Olympics Ohio Board.

In 2023, both Manuel and the Warren County Wildcats SO basketball team were significant contributors to the $44.1K raised at this year’s Caesar Creek Polar Plunge.

About 200 athletes participated in Special Olympics through the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities for free thanks to fundraisers like the Polar Plunge.

Each year, more than 11,000 people donate their time, talent, and energy to volunteer for Special Olympics Ohio events. To learn about volunteer opportunities with Special Olympics Ohio, go to www.sooh.org.

The WCBDD Open House

event is an annual celebration of Developmental Disabilties Awareness Month. Each year, the open house has a different theme that encourages exploration of WCBDD supports and services and highlights local individuals with developmental disabilities.

Two sessions are held each March. The evening session offers a live performance from the Voices of Warren County Choir. Following the event, attendees will have the opportuity to participate in a basket raffle.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 11. The afternoon session begins at 1 p.m. and the evening session begins at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Warren C. Young Center auditorium located at 801 Drake Road in Lebanon.

WHY: To showcase success stories of individuals with developmental disabilities and to highlight the WCBDD services and support that helped them reach their goals.

WARREN COUNTY RESIDENTS

DISCUSS STAR TREK AND LIFE WITH A DISABILITY AT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS

Speakers discussed self-determination, life with a disability, and finding inspiration in Star Trek at the 2024 Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Open House.

The open house was hosted on March 5, 2024, at the Warren C. Young Center in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. WCBDD Superintendent Megan Manuel said DD Awareness Month started in 1987 to provide the encouragement and opportunities people need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential. 37 years later, she said the same goals hold true.

The 2024 open house was dedicated to Jamie Miles, Warren County resident, individual served by WCBDD, and a Star Trek fan. Jamie passed away in 2022, leaving a legacy of compassion, confidence, and resilience.

Presenter Glenda Miles, Jamie Miles’ mother, described how Jamie’s fascination with Star Trek translated into his life goals. Born with congenital rubella syndrome, Glenda was told by doctors that her baby would die before turning one year old. Jamie “audaciously” defied expectations and lived a life full of Star Trek conventions, learning new languages

MONTH EVENT

(some real, some alien), listening to Loverboy and Taylor Swift, volunteering, and spreading joy.

Jamie was deeply inspired by the Star Trek motto, “Make It So,” and lived by the saying by following his dreams, embracing support, taking risks and proudly being himself. Jamie inspired the WCBDD to center the open house event around the motto and his love for Star Trek.

Glenda said WCBDD made a tremendous impact on Jamie’s life by offering progressive leadership and respectful services.

Presenter David Sparby, WCBDD’s newest board member, described the selfdetermination needed to walk again after a life-changing spinal cord injury, proving that it’s, “Possible to do the impossible.”

“I think that’s an important thing for Disability Awareness Month is that we can reach out to people and educate them. Just because you may look different doesn’t mean that you are any different than anyone else,” Sparby said. “We’re all unique in our own way.”

Each spring, WCBDD offers a special

Community Egg Hunt

for individuals up to age 17 who are enrolled in services and their siblings. Nearly 2,000 eggs filled with toys, candy, and prize tickets will be scattered throughout the wheelchair and walker accessible field. Arts and craft activities are offered to participants beginning at 1:30 p.m., then the egg hunt will take place at 2 p.m.

WHEN: Saturday, April 12th at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Miracle League Field located at 1605 S. Main Street in Springboro.

WHY: To offer a sensory-friendly and accessible egg hunt to Warren County children with developmental disabilities.

BRING: A basket to collect eggs.

Each Spring, WCBDD, also hosts an Eggstravaganza event for individuals served by WCBDD ages 14 and older. Watch our social media and website for more information!

WCBDD HOSTS COMMUNITY EGG

HUNT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities held its annual community egg hunt for children with disabilities on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at the Miracle League Field in Springboro.

As families arrived, they were warmly greeted by WCBDD staff members. Children entering the event were immediately dazzled by large prize tables that boasted nearly 200 different eye-catching prizes.

While anxiously waiting for the egg hunt to begin, children were provided the opportunity to create sand art and decorate bunny masks.

1,500 eggs filled with toys, candy, and prize tickets sprinkled the Miracle League Field in a sea of rainbow colors. Children participating in the egg hunt were released by age group out onto the field to collect their eggs. In a matter of minutes, the field was completely bare.

Described as a “great event” and “so much fun,” the WCBDD community egg hunt was gratefully enjoyed by the over 100 children and their families in attendance.

In addition to providing a hoppin’ good time, each family was offered the chance to get their picture taken with a friendly and fluffy Easter Bunny.

Each June, Special Olympics athletes travel to The Ohio State University to compete in the

Special Olympics Summer Games.

Nearly 3,000 athletes, Unified partners, and coaches from across the state compete in athletics including track and field, bocce, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.

Approximately 200 people participated in the Warren County Special Olympics (WCSO) in 2024. Sports offered include:

• Basketball

• Cheerleading

• Swimming in partnership with Mason Manta Rays

• Floor Hockey

• Track

• Tennis

• Softball

• Soccer

• Recreational bowling

All Warren County Special Olympics events are free for registered athletes. For more information, contact Rhonda Schutte at rhonda.schutte@warrencountydd.org.

WARREN COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES WIN BIG AT SUMMER GAMES

WCBDD Special Olympics athletes won 19 medals at the 2024 Ohio Summer Games.

Athletes participated at regionals in May to qualify for the Ohio Summer Games. On June 28, 2024, athletes traveled to Columbus, Ohio, for the state championship. 12 Warren County athletes competed in track or bowling, including:

• Zach Bailey, 40, of Franklin, competed in bowling.

• Kelly Crabtree, 37, of Mason, competed in the women’s shot put (gold) and 100-meter dash (silver).

• Oliver Frisch, 14, of Morrow, competed in the 100-meter dash (silver), softball throw (silver), and was a member of the 4 x 100 relay team.

• Troy Hengle, 16, of Maineville, competed in the 100-meter dash (bronze), shot put (silver), and was the anchor in the relay team.

• Juliya Hopfensperger, 18, of Lebanon, competed in bowling (silver).

• Carson Hutzel, 27, of Mason, competed in the 100-meter dash (gold), softball throw (silver), and was a member of the 4 x 100 relay team.

• Julie Konrad, 56, of Lebanon, competed in the women’s softball throw (bronze) and the 100-meter dash walk event (silver).

• Mark Messner, 36, of Lebanon, competed in the 100-meter dash (silver) and shot put (bronze).

• Jakob Rosenthal, 22, of Morrow, competed in the 100-meter dash (gold), shot put (gold), and was a member of the relay team.

• Tim Schwartz, 61, of Lebanon, competed in bowling (silver).

• Eric Smucker, 33, of Morrow, competed in bowling (gold).

• Isabel “Izzy” Thornock, 10, of Mason, competed in the 100-meter dash (gold) and softball throw (gold).

Special Olympics athletes appeared on the Lebanon City Show to discuss their accomplishments.

WHEN: June 13th, 14th, and 15th.

WHERE: The Ohio State University located at 281 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.

WHY: To celebrate athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities through athletic events.

Things That Go!

WHEN: Saturday, August 16th from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

WHERE: The Warren C. Young Center parking lot located at 801 Drake Road in Lebanon.

WHY: To offer a sensory friendly way for individuals with disabilities to explore vehicles and learn more about the people who operate them.

BRING: Your camera!

is a free touch-a-truck event that showcases a variety of community, commercial, and specialty vehicles. From police cars and fire trucks, to school buses, an ice cream truck, and much more to explore, adults and children alike will have the opportunity to explore each featured vehicle, as well as learn more about the businesses and individuals who operate them.

Interested in bringing a vehicle to Things That Go!? Contact Megan Becker at megan.becker@warrencountydd.org.

VISITORS ENJOY THINGS THAT GO! AND FIRST ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE

From climbing into a tractor, meeting search and rescue dogs, and trying out assistive technology, Warren County residents got the opportunity to try a variety of activities at the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Things That Go! touch-a-truck and assistive technology event on August 17, 2024.

The event featured over 20 vehicles, including fire trucks, police vehicles, school buses, a tow truck, an ice cream truck, and more.

Each vehicle operator highlighted their unique business or organization based on what they had to offer, with Lil’ Bloom Flower Truck encouraging visitors to pick a flower, the Turtlecreek Township Fire Department helping children try on a firefighter uniform, Special Neat Treats handing out free ice cream, and Bin Boss demonstrating how they clean and sanitize trash cans.

Jes Thomas said Things That Go! was her families’ first WCBDD event since her daughter started early intervention services. She said the highlight of the event was the SRM Concrete staff members who brought a concrete mixer to the event.

“They spent extra time allowing our daughter to touch every button there was to push. One of the men stood right next to her to ensure she was safe and having fun,” Thomas said. “The other man told her about the truck and some of the small basic functions in a way she could understand at such a young age. Before leaving the truck, they made sure she got a special treat, as well.”

Concurrently, the Assistive Technology Showcase hosted a variety of assistive technology and adaptive equipment designed to promote independence and healthy living.

Easterseals Redwood and the OCALI Lending Library displayed assistive toys and technology for visitors to test.

WCBDD Behavioral Support Coordinator Adam Layton created a display on communication boards, a tool to help people with limited language skills express themselves.

Family Fun Day

occurs every year during the month of September. This free o utreach event offers plenty of food and drinks and a variety of fun activities including karaoke, line dancing, crafts, face painting, caricature art, and more. The highlight of the event is the Miracle League Baseball opening game.

WHEN: Saturday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Miracle League Field located at 1605 S. Main Street in Springboro.

WHY: To raise community awareness of individuals with developmental disabilities, while also having fun!

Family Fun Day has something for everyone.

The free event typically offers food, games, a dunk tank, caricatures, facepainting, crafts, Karaoke, dancing, an ice cream truck, and an accessible playground.

The star of the event is the Miracle League Baseball opening game. The Miracle League of Greater Dayton’s mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with special needs to play baseball, regardless of their abilities. The game is played on an accessible baseball field that has an all-weather rubberized surface and has no raised surfaces to interfere with crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs.

This free event is open to everyone and provides a casual environment to eat food, watch baseball, and support your community.

Trunk-or-Treat

is enjoyed by hundreds each October. Held in the Warren C. Young Center parking lot, Trunk-or-Treat showcases a wide variety of vehicles that are extravagantly decorated by agency staff, local providers, and members of the community. For the past three years, WCBDD has welcomed over 35 customized and themed Jeeps, compliments of the Jeep Lifestyle group. For

WHEN: 2nd or 3rd Monday in October

WHERE: Warren C. Young Center parking lot located at 801 Drake Road in Lebanon.

WHY: To celebrate spooky season with our community.

BRING: A bag for collecting candy!

JEEP LIFESTYLE GROUP BRINGS OVER

30 JEEPS TO WCBDD TRUNKOR-TREAT

WCBDD was thrilled to host its 7th annual Trunk-or-Treat on October 24, 2022. Held in the Warren C. Young Center parking lot, the event showcased a wide variety of vehicles, extravagantly decorated by agency staff, local providers, and members of the community.

Included in the assortment of vehicles, were approximately 35 customized and themed Jeeps, compliments of the Jeep Lifestyle group.

The Jeep Lifestyle is a Facebook group for Jeep owners and enthusiasts to connect with each other and share upcoming Jeep events.

“It’s really a community,” said group member Karen Corwin. “Most of us attend several car

shows through the year, and tons of special events like this one.”

The group learned of WCBDD’s Trunkor-Treat event while interacting with an enrolled individual and her provider at a local restaurant.

“She instantly fell in love with the Jeepers,” Corwin chuckled. “She and her provider mentioned to us about bringing the Jeeps to the event because she believed her friends there would love the Jeeps too.”

Shortly after, Jeep Lifestyle member John Pierson, also known as Clown of ClownsHouse Graphics, reached out to WCBDD on behalf of the group, and reserved their spots for the event.

“We attend a lot of events throughout the year, but very few do we leave with hearts as full as we did the other night,” gushed Corwin. “Watching their faces light up when they see the jeeps is every reason we create themes for our Jeeps, and decorate them like we do.”

The 7th annual Trunk-or-Treat was enjoyed by nearly 500 guests.

MORE WCBDD EVENTS AND OFFERINGS

WCBDD sponsors Cardio Drumming on the 4th Tuesday of every month.

Once per year, Cool Critters provides WCBDD with the chance to meet animals up close.

WCBDD hosts movie nights at the Young Center Auditorium.

The Animal and Me program students the opportunity to show livestock at the Warren County Fair.

Luke5Adventures hosts free hikes in partnership with WCBDD and the Countryside YMCA.

` WCBDD hosts monthly social activites, including parties and bingo.

Local magician Jake Lindsey performs a free illusion show regularly at WCBDD.

One day per year, WCBDD intends to host a free Kings Island day for enrolled individuals.

GROUPS AND CLUBS

VOICES SPEAKING OUT

The Voices Speaking Out (VSO) Self Advocacy group is comprised of adults who receive services from WCBDD who meet monthly to advocate for independence and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.

For more information, contact Ellen Hudson at ellen.hudson@warrencountydd.org.

CAREERS WITH PEERS

Careers with Peers Council is a professional networking group for enrolled individuals who are career-focused. Members of this council are either employed in the community, seeking employment, interested in learning more about employment, or students who plan to work after high school.

For more information on how to attend a monthly meeting, contact: Cheri Cummings at cheri.cummings@warrencountydd.org.

VOICES OF WARREN COUNTY

The Voices of Warren County is a choir group comprised of adults with disabilities who receive services from the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities. They attend choir practice once a week on Thursday nights from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Ellen Hudson at ellen.hudson@warrencountydd.org.

NEXT CHAPTER BOOK CLUB

Readers of all skill levels are invited to join the Next Chapter Book Club. The club meets every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Public Library.

For more information, contact Ellen Hudson at ellen.hudson@warrencountydd.org.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Mark your calendars for our annual events! Please visit our website at Warrencountydd.org or find us on social media to find additional events, activities, and more.

For any questions, contact Community Relations Coordinator Megan Becker at (859) 653-7445 or megan.becker@warrencountydd.org.