35th Annual Spring Festival to benefit students and adults
By Kyle Valentini
May 4, 2011
321
The Holmes County Training Center invites guests to the 35th Annual Spring Festival, May 13-14, to benefit the students and adults at the Holmes County Training Center and Lynn Hope Industries, Inc. The festival is sponsored by the Holmes County Association for Handicapped Citizens, the parents group of the training center.
It has been a pleasure working here and being a part of the spring festival. They do a lot of good things with the proceeds. It keeps a lot of our programs running, said Deb Schafer, family support services coordinator. Schafer has been with the training center for 18 years.
Since the 1960s, The Holmes County Association for Handicapped Citizens has provided resources to educate children that at one time were excluded from school because of their disabilities. Dedicated parents have made it possible for the creation of The Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities whose mission is, as a family-oriented program, to maximize potential, develop independence, educate and support all individuals with special needs and their families through a choice of progressive, diverse and personalized programs and services in a safe, secure environment.
The Holmes County Training Center offers infant, early childhood and school age services, adult services, job placement services and Lynn Hope Industries, Inc., training center transportation service, service and support administration, family resource services, residential services/supports and intermediate care facilities, supported living, individual options waiver, and residential program facilities.
Kick off for the festival begins Friday afternoon. A bake sale will take place from 3-10 p.m. Open volleyball begins and 6 p.m. Chili and sandwiches will be served from 6-10 p.m. Live music will be performed by Liberated 4 Him and Holmes County Bluegrass beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to preview the items available at Saturdays auctions.
Arrive early Saturday, as breakfast begins at 7 a.m. and will be served until 10 a.m. The bake sale will continue throughout the day until they are sold out. Pomerene Hospital staff will be providing free wellness screenings, from 7 a.m. to noon, in their mobile clinic. The popular craft and furniture auction begins at 9 a.m. and the silent auction will be taking place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The kids can stay busy from 10 a.m. until noon with childrens games and again after lunch with more games scheduled from 2-4 p.m. The chicken barbecue begins at 11:30 a.m. and includes a half chicken and all the trimmings.
There will be a special auction at 1 p.m. The quilt auction features more than 100 Amish-made quilts, comforters and wall hangings, and begins at 2 p.m.
The spring festival is a significant fundraiser for us, said Schafer. The community has always been supportive. They just passed a levy that will allow us to continue to offer services. It feels good to know the community supports us.
Recent budget cuts and a reduction in revenue have led to layoffs and a reduction in the number of clients served at the training center. Now, more than ever, fundraisers are a vital part of continuing the much needed services to residents of Holmes County.
The Holmes County Training Center is located at 8001 TR 574 in Holmesville, just 4.5 miles north of Millersburg, off SR 83. Call 330-674-8045 for more information.
