Wood County Society is celebrating 65 years of impact — serving youth and adults with disabilities throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley!

In 1958, a group of like-minded and passionate leaders formed Wood County Society — serving Wood County residents with disabilities through therapeutic and direct services. Over the years, Wood County Society has continued to provide and re-structure the mission and impact of the organization as community needs change and develop.

Today, Wood County Society serves individuals with disabilities in twelve counties in West Virginia and Ohio including Wood, Wirt, Roane, Jackson, Calhoun, Pleasants, Tyler and Ritchie counties in West Virginia and Washington, Meigs and Athens counties in Ohio.

Wood County Society has maintained a significant presence and impact in the last 65 years through therapeutic, educational and respite care programs and resources. Through our vision of ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to vital programs and resources is our top priority.

Wood County Society shares a vision that every community throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley Region is united so that every individual with a disability — youth and adult alike — are given every opportunity to live their best life. Each day, Wood County Society continues to rethink, redefine, and reimagine the possibilities of current and future impact on a regional level.

Wood County Society has eighteen programs and resources that benefit our community and region. Most notably, Camp ECHO, the Wood County Society Summer Speech Program, Adapted Aquatics, Wood County Society Temple Challenge, the Autism Connections Program, the Circle 21 — the MOV Down Syndrome Network and the American Sign Language Beginner and Advanced Classes and the Artbeat Studio are among the few programs and resources that make an impact on the mission of the organization.

Wood County Society continues to RISE UP each day to ensure diverse, equitable and inclusive programming and resources are available to meet the growing needs of our community. As we continue to navigate disparities in our community, Wood County Society continues to be a beacon of growth, sustainability, and impact for over 1,800 individuals each year.

March is no exception to the rule for Wood County Society. Wood County Society is unified in celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month throughout the month of March with various impact driven initiatives including:

∫ March 16, 2023: Self Advocate Training and Education

∫ March 17, 2023: Annual HAT DAY in local schools promoting disability inclusion and advocacy.

∫ March 17-18, 2023: Spring Fling with the Artbeat Studio!

∫ March 21, 2023: World Down Syndrome Awareness Day — ROCK YOUR SOCKS Event!

∫ March 24, 2023: Special Education — Navigating IEP/504/Transition Plan Training

∫ March 26, 2023: the 54th Annual Wood County Society Telethon, broadcast LIVE on WTAP from 12:30-6:30 p.m. hosted by the Parkersburg Country Club.

While Wood County Society has an abundance of resources and impact scheduled for March, Wood County Society is excited for a full year ahead.

This year is no exception to the rule as the Wood County Society Board of Directors, Committees and Staff have strategically aligned capacity growth in each program and resource. New initiatives will be announced during the 54th Annual Wood County Society Telethon on Sunday, March 26, 2023!

For 65 years, Wood County Society has remained funded by community donors, foundations, and community partners which the organization is proud of.

Wood County Society is unique because we do not receive state or federal funding to support our mission. Wood County Society remains committed to a grassroots movement that allows our community to invest in a mission that provides valuable impact — something each donor, foundation and community partner can see all year long. Most importantly, 100% of what is given to our mission makes a local impact.

For more information on Wood County Society or to support their mission throughout the month of March, visit www.woodcountysociety.com. You may call 304-428-4280 or you may email info@woodcountysociety.com for more information on various programs and resources. Furthermore, you are encouraged to stay up to date on the calendar of events and impact on social media: Facebook @woodcountysociety and @artbeatstudiowcs for up-to-date information and program initiatives.

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Brandon Gress, M.A., B.A., is executive director of the Wood County Society.