44th Annual Spring Festival to benefit the Holmes County Board of DD

The roots of the Holmes County Association for Handicapped Citizens go back to the early 1960's when children with developmental disabilities were excluded from public school services. Parents banded together to create schools in church basements or where ever they could get donated space. Parents provided transportation and raised funds to pay the teachers. Through the efforts of concerned parents, Ohio created County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (DD). The Holmes County Board of DD has grown to include Early Intervention Services, Preschool services, the School program, the Adult Day Program and Lynn Hope Industries, family support services, transportation and residential supports.

Since the 1960's, the Holmes County Association for Handicapped Citizens has changed their name several times but their support for services for people with disabilities has never wavered. In 1977, the first Spring Festival was started. Through raffles, donations, bake sales and games; parents raised $4,000. Most recently $185,000 was raised over one weekend where activities included a bake sale, meals, a craft auction, a furniture auction, a quilt auction and a silent auction.

Because of the ongoing support from the Holmes County community for the Spring Festival, the Association has been able to fund a wide variety of unique services to help people with disabilities and their families including:

• Respite care for families caring for a adult or child with a developmental disability.
• Transportation assistance to help families access medical care, therapies and HCBDD activities.
• Special Olympics support including equipment, supplies, traveling expenses
• Parent Programs including the Mothers Club, the Down's Syndrome Reunion, Spina Bifida Reunion, and others.
• The Association considers all requests for items and services to meet the special needs of individuals eligible for Board of DD services
• Specialized Disability-related equipment for school, adult program or individuals, as requested and approved.

For more information on the 44th Annual Spring Festival, click here.