Friday Update: March 3, 2023

Special Olympics Ohio Winter Games are this weekend!

The Special Olympics Ohio Winter Games are taking place March 3-5 at Bowling Green State University. Lucas County Lightning athletes will compete in Swimming, Cheer, and Basketball Skills! For more information, click here.

Music Vine Concert Series on Fridays

Join Bittersweet Farms for the Music Vine Concert Series at the Grand Rapids Town Hall every Friday from 11:30am-1:00pm! This event is free and open to the public, so bring your favorite rhythm instrument and dancing shoes and join in the fun! Click here for more information.

Sign ups for Greater Toledo Challenger Little League on March 4

The Greater Toledo Challenger Little League is for ages 5+ with any special needs. Everyone plays, everyone wins! Sign up on March 4 from noon - 2 p.m. at 1392 Conant St, Maumee. $45 per person. Click here for more details.

Acoustics for Autism Event is March 5

Project iAm presents its 16th annual Acoustics for Autism event on March 5, 2023 beginning at noon at The Village Idiot and surrounding areas. All ages are always welcome at this free event. See 90 bands and musicians rocking 8 stages. For all up-to-date information, click here for the event website!

Goodwill Donation Drive on March 6

Your spring clean-up and donation of gently used items can help individuals served by the LCBDD! Each person who brings in items will count as one “donation,” so tell everyone to stop in and donate! Be sure to tell the site that you are donating for Lucas County FANS. Your donations help get Goodwill Vouchers into the hands of individuals in need. Click here for more details.

Reading Playgroup Extravaganza on March 6

Come enjoy a fun morning at the King Road branch of the TLCPL! The LCBDD is having a community playgroup for children and their families with a few celebrity book readers (WTOL's Ryan Wichman, WTVG's Alexis Means, and Author/Illustrator Kristin Winovich) from 10 a.m. to noon on March 6. Click here to learn more.

NAMIWalks Chili Cook-off on March 10

The NAMIWalks season is kicking off with a chili cook-off at 2:30 p.m. on March 10! Cooks from all over Toledo will showcase their best chili for judging to celebrate another exciting year of NAMIWalks Greater Toledo. The event is free to attend, but $10 buys you a commemorative NAMI bowl and spoon for all you can eat chili. Registration required. For more information, click here. To register, click here.

Family & Advocate Forum March 14

There will be an in-person only forum for families and advocates to collaborate and discuss topics with Lucas DD leadership at the Larc Lane Center from 9:30-11 a.m. on March 14.

"Raise the Bar" Open House on March 14

"Raise the Bar" is a program designed for individuals with special needs. Come learn more about this program at the open house serving free food! Click here for more information, or click here to ask any questions.

Inclusion Resource Fair is March 15

The LCBDD's annual Inclusion Resource Fair offers something for everyone. By attending this free event, you'll get to network with specialized schools, after school activities, summer camps, transportation options, funding organizations, and more! The 2023 Inclusion Fair is Wednesday, March 15, from 5-7 p.m., at Bowsher High School. Click here to learn more.

OPRA seeking artwork to feature

The Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) is seeking artwork to feature on the cover of its 2023 Spring Conference Guide. Individuals with disabilities can email their submission for consideration to mfannon@opra.org. Deadline is March 15.

Bowling with Heroes on March 19

Individuals we serve will bowl with TFD, TPD and other local celebrities! Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz will make a special appearance. This FREE event will take place at Glass Bowl Lanes on Telegraph Rd from noon-2 p.m. on March 19. Space is limited! Click here to register.

RallyCap Sports Basketball starts March 19

Registration is open now for the BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports basketball season! Sessions will be on March 19, 26, and April 2 from 3-4 p.m. at BGSU. Lots of fun for people with special needs, all abilities are welcome. Click here to learn more or click here to send an email if you are new to the program.

Wealth and Wisdom Class on March 22

March's Wealth and Wisdom class is on March 22, 5:30pm-7 p.m. via Zoom. The topic is “Spotlight on Social Security Disability Insurance.” This free class, presented by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities as part of our Wealth & Wisdom series, will provide an overview of the SSDI program. Classes are free and print materials will be provided. Click here for more information or click here to register.

Discovery Night at Imagination Station on March 22

Join Sunshine Communities for a free, sensory friendly night of discovery at Imagination Station on March 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is a night meant to give people with developmental disabilities special access to all of the exhibits they love! All exhibits will be open and café food will be available for purchase. This is a free, family-friendly event! Click here for more information.

Peanut Butter Falcon Movie Event on March 25

As part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Lucas DD is hosting a movie event at the Maumee Indoor Theatre on March 25 from 3-7 p.m. The movie "The Peanut Butter Falcon" features a main character with a disability. This event is free and open to the public.

Greater Toledo Challenger Little League Fundraiser on March 25

Eat some spaghetti for lunch (noon-2 p.m.) or dinner (5-7 p.m.) on March 25 to support the Greater Toledo Challenger Little League, a baseball league for all people with disabilities. Any age, any ability gets on the team. Everyone bats, everyone plays, and everyone wins! The event will take place at the Springfield Township Community Building. For additional information, click here.

Lemonade Stand at Tarta Transit Hub on March 28

The LCBDD staff will be in the community offering free lemonade to travelers between 9:30-11 a.m. on March 28 at Tarta Transit Hub, 612 N. Huron St, Toledo. Click here for more information.

Rec Jam on March 29

Lucas DD presents ‘Rec Jam’ from 7-9 p.m. on March 29 at The Venues, downtown Toledo. This fun event is for our individuals 18 and over to come together to dance and socialize. Light concessions will be available for purchase, but admission is free — just show up as you are and have fun! Click here to register or here for more information.

Immersive DD Experience on March 31

Come learn more about developmental disabilities through interactive DD Awareness activity stations between 12:30-4:30 p.m. on March 31. This event is free and held at Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo.

Ability Center offering scholarship opportunities

The Ability Center and its Auxiliary is once again offering college scholarship opportunities to area students with disabilities. Open to all students with a disability and a permanent address in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, or Williams counties in Ohio and Monroe or Lenawee counties in Michigan. Click here to learn more and download an application. Application deadline is March 31.

Entries sought for 2023 CommUNITY Film Fest

Calling all filmmakers! We are looking for you! If you are interested in making a film for the 2023 CommUNITY Film Fest, contact Board Community Inclusion Manager Lori Balogh at lbalogh@lucasdd.org. Submissions are being accepted through May 31. Learn more and view previous films at CommunityFilmFest.org.