PARKERSBURG – The Wood County Society received $11,000 for facility and accessibility improvements from the City of Parkersburg on Monday.

According to a release from the city, the funds will go toward improving the parking lot, safety of the infrastructure, and access to programs and services.

Mayor Tom Joyce was present for the check presentation ceremony and said organizations such as the Wood County Society are important for providing “essential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences” in the area.

“The Wood County Society continues to make a meaningful impact through programs that support individuals and families across our region,” said Joyce.

The presentation was held at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley during Wood County Society’s Camp ECHO program.

“These facility improvements will help ensure safer and more accessible access to the services they provide every day, and the city is proud to support that mission,” he said.

According to the release, Camp ECHO has been one of Wood County Society’s longest-running care programs. The program has provided youth and adults who experience intellectual and developmental differences with recreational opportunities since the early 1970s.

The program has also provided individuals with over “14,000 collective respite care hours annually,” according to the release.

“The funding will support critical improvements to our parking lot, enhancing safety, accessibility, and ease of access for the individuals and families we service each day,” said Wood County Society Executive Director Linda Lawson.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com