Submitted Photo | Community Common Chuck Lansing, left, receives congratulatory recognition from SCBDD Adult Services Director Kelly Hunter during a celebration honoring all team members for their volunteer efforts in the community. Over 100 members now encompass the team that has put in more than 1500 hours of volunteer service throughout the community since May.

slideshow

Filled with dedication, service and fun. This was the description given of the Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD) !MPACT group by Team Leader, K.C. Chatfield at their Dec. 4 celebration of service.

Chatfield, who is an Individual Service Provider for adult services, told a crowd last Tuesday that the group is one that formed out of an idea of outreach by Adult Services Director Kelly Hunter.

“Kelly came to me with an idea of giving back,” Chatfield explained. “The idea was very exciting to me and I was glad to be the one to lead the charge. I have grown along side some great individuals and have been blessed to see all that they have done to give back to our community.”

Also known as the Kiwanis’ Aktion Club, the group signed their official charter in August. The group then decided to brand their identity and is now known as !MPACT (Mobile Partnership Aktion Community Team) through the Adult Services program at SCBDD.

Chatfield said the group started with about 40 participants who spent time volunteering in small venues throughout the county and now has over 1500 hours of volunteer service and has grown membership to over 100 participants.

“This group has been a true blessing. I can honestly say they are the best group we’ve worked with and it is an absolute pleasure when they come to serve,” said Lt. Mark Ferreira of the Portsmouth Salvation Army.

Ferreira as well as several other organizational representatives attended the celebration that honored members for their hours of volunteer service. Members received certificates of recognition and the top 10 with the highest number of volunteer hours received trophies.

“We really wanted all of the members to know that what they are doing is recognized and valued,” said Chatfield. “But each time we ring the bell for the Salvation Army or clean parts of Camp Oyo for the Boy Scouts, the members all feel a connection to those we serve. We have always been made to feel welcome and we now get so many requests we are practically doing something every day. It is a great feeling.”

For more information on opportunities available for individuals with developmental disabilities, visit us on the web at HYPERLINK “http://www.sciotodd.org” www.sciotodd.org, like us on facebook at Scioto County Board of DD or follow us on Twitter @SciotoDD.