MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW) — The Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) is gearing up for a busy March as it celebrates Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month with a variety of events and initiatives.

The month-long celebration will highlight the achievements and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities under the theme “This Is Me, More Than DD,” focusing on their individual personalities and successes. The community is encouraged to show their support by wearing orange on March 4 and sharing photos on social media. Orange t-shirts are available for purchase through reMARCAble with a link available on the MCBDD website.

MCBDD also announced several upcoming events:

  • Golden Gala: A formal event for individuals with developmental disabilities will be held on March 14. The event, formerly known as the Night to Shine, is a large party designed to make attendees feel like royalty. Volunteers are needed for various roles, and sponsorships are available. Registration for guests, volunteers, and sponsors can be found on the MCBDD website.

  • Unstoppable Youth Sports: Marion County is forming a new baseball team for children and young adults with developmental disabilities ages 4-21. Games will be played on Tuesdays in May and June at the MCBDD’s softball field. The program is seeking players and teams to compete against the Unstoppables. Interested parties can contact Nikki Workman at 740-383-5611.

  • Sibshops: A monthly support group for siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities, ages 8-13, offers a space for them to connect with others who share similar experiences. Meetings are held at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

  • Family Support Group: This group provides support and resources for families of individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages and abilities. The group meets at the Exploratorium. MCBDD is also working to add a separate meeting space for Spanish-speaking families.

Information about all of these events and initiatives can be found on the MCBDD website: marioncountydd.org.