Merrill receives Lifetime Leadership Award
Donna Merrill
Horizons of Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties has been under the leadership of Executive Director Donna Merrill for the past 35 years. Merrill has received a Lifetime Leadership Award in recognition of her effort in supporting the developmentally disabled in a six-county area.
The award was presented at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center on Oct. 26, and it is offered through Ohio Provider Resource Association and given by the State of Ohio.
“She’s been doing this work for a very long time,” said Sarah McCullough, program manager and area coordinator at Horizons Inc.
It was McCullough who nominated Merrill for the award. “She’s just been giving and giving of herself all these years. This award is a big deal for us. Donna doesn’t normally seek or accept recognition. She just goes and does what needs to be done and gives of herself and has never really been recognized, so this is a really big thing. Donna has devoted her life to helping those with developmental disabilities,” McCullough said.
The day included guest speakers, a lunch, and a small party after the celebration and award.
“It’s nice to get the award, but that’s really not why I’m working,” Merrill said. “I was surprised to get it but very grateful to know the staff here felt that way. I think this will show that we’re doing a good job and will continue to do a good job. Hopefully, this can help the community see our work as something that’s really needed. In this day and age, we have to work hard to keep people in their homes and connected to their community.”
Merrill said Horizons Inc. operates residential facilities for the developmentally disabled. “We are in six counties. Tuscarawas is our main office, and then we have Wayne, Harrison, Jefferson, Coshocton and Ashland. In 1990 there was this concept of choice, so people had to have choices for themselves and about their care. They need not seek care nearby just because it was close. That’s when we began to move into the other counties.”
Merrill and her husband of 54 years have four adult children. She was formerly a teacher at Starlight School for 10 years and then director of United Way Daycare Center for another 10.
McCullough said she is hoping talking about this award for Merrill will help the community better understand what Horizons does.
“We provide personal care services in a home setting,” McCullough said. “We oversee five group homes, with up to four people each. We take them to their medical appointments, cook and clean for them, and help with everyday tasks. Staff is there 24 hours, seven days a week, because the residents need assistance. We also provide some fun for them, as they’re really a community of people. We do Halloween parties, Christmas parties, take them to football and baseball games. We want them to have as normal a life as they can. So that’s what we do. For us, it’s very much an extended family.”
Horizons Inc. is a nonprofit organization that receives funding from Medicaid, Medicare and from the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Find them on the web at www.horizonsoftuscarawasandcarroll.com.
Horizons Inc. main office is located at 220 W. Fourth St. in Dover. Call 330-364-5415.