Byesville Rotary learns GCBDD clients are challenged to develop skills on many levels

Pictured: Vivienne Barrows, Recreation Coordinator for Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Dennis Harding, Byesville Rotary President, displaying a garden gazing ball.

Vivienne Barrows, Recreation Coordinator for Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities (GCBDD), informed club members about the many activities provided by the GCBDD to help develop client physical and social skills.

Barrows pointed out funds from the Good Luck Auction fundraiser are used to support Special Olympic and recreational activities. Funds raised at the recent auction are used to purchase supplies for crafts, equipment for the recreation area, and to pay for trips and admission fees.

Barrows showed a gazing ball for gardens as an example of one type of recreational activity. Gazing balls are made from used bowling balls which have been covered with a mosaic of broken tile and sparkly glass then grouted. Each ball has a unique design. Clients participating in this activity donated 7 of the gazing balls to the Good Luck Auction.

A second activity recently introduced is Venture Crew which is a Boy Scout program aimed at teens and young people. GCBDD provides staffing for this program. The staff is working with the Boy Scouts and have a Boy Scout advisor. Activities in this program are topic drive. For example, all activities might be built around the topic of “oceans.” Barrows and her staff have chosen the topic of “Hobbies and Crafts” as the theme for their activities.

Barrows pointed out that these are just a few of the activities offered by the GCBDD. Other types of activities offered are designed to help develop pre-vocational skills, improve literacy, teach job skills, and develop gross and fine motor skills. Activities such as a cooking class which teaches food preparation and nutrition and physical activities such as bowling and swimming are designed to teach clients about fitness and help them stay healthy.

Jim Bakos, Chair of the Scholarship Committee reported that scholarship applications have been distributed Deadline for submission is March 31. He is looking for volunteers to serve on the interviewing committee.

Jim Vaughan, co-Chair of the “Breakfast with the Bunny” committee reported that this fundraiser will be held April 12 at the Stop Nine Youth Activities building. He invited club members to join the committee.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Everyone interested in giving back to their community is invited to join. Call Membership Chair Jim Vaughan, 740-432-5605, to learn more about the club. More information is available at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283