The Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities established A Celebration of Possibilities in 2009 as the finale of our month-long celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March. 

A Celebration of Possibilities, usually held on March 31 each year, is designed to celebrate and recognize those individuals, businesses and organizations that promote the concept of community inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities.  We in Fairfield County are blessed with those who believe in Fairfield DD's mission: To connect resources and create opportunities so people can lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions.

Awards are given in the following categories:

Deanna Kirwin Award for Individual Achievement:

This award is presented to an individual served by Fairfield DD who exemplifies the concepts of self-determination through personal, academic or developmental achievement by exceeding the goals he/she has set.  The award is dedicated to the memory of Deanna Kirwin, the first person in the state of Ohio to start her own business with a microenterprise grant. 

Goldie Fields Spirit Award:

This award is presented to a person who regularly volunteers at Fairfield DD and goes above and beyond his or her duties to provide exemplary benefits to the individuals we serve, our staff, and our stakeholders.  The award is dedicated to the memory of Goldie Fields, who was a long-time volunteer at Forest Rose School.  Her unrelenting spirit and positive attitude was felt at the school until her death in 2008.

Hartung Family Pioneer Award:

This award is given to a person or family that has gone above and beyond the norm to help promote awareness or provide services to children or adults with developmental disabilities in Fairfield County.  The award is dedicated to the memory of the Hartung family.  Beginning in the mid-1950s, Art and Wilma Hartung were instrumental in organizing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in fairfield County.  Mr. Hartung died in 1971, Mrs. Hartung died in 2008, and their son Tommy passed away in 2009.

 Distinguished Service Award:

This award is presented to a staff member from Fairfield DD, aservice provider, or a school district within the county who serves individuals with developmental disabilities and embodies our vision and mission, especially when that person's support goes above and beyond the norm to promote the ideals of community acceptance.

Vision Award:

This award is presented to a Fairfield County business or service organization that embraces the concepts of inclusion and self-determination, and displays that commitment through innovation.

Commitment Award:

This award is presented to an individual who represents a business or service organization in Fairfield County who, through his/her work with that business or organization, does the most to carry out the mission of Fairfield DD through his or her commitment to the individuals we support, Fairfield DD staff, other stakeholders and the Fairfield County Community at large.

The McGhee Family Inspiration Award:

This award is given to an individual, business, or organization whose actions make a significant difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and enhance the quality of life in Fairfield County, and who may or may not fit within the descriptors of the other award categories.  The award is named in honor of the McGhee family, who have always held services to individuals with developmental disabilities close to their hearts, beginning with the late Clark McGhee, an early Fairfield DD Board member, and continuing with his children, Terry McGhee, president and CEO of Westermann Companies, and Sally Grimm, who retired after 31 years as an educational assistant at Forest Rose School.

Please click the links below to learn about past Celebration of Possibilities events and our award winners:

Deanna Kirwin Award                Goldie Fields Spirit Award              Hartung Family Pioneer Award

                                                                                                          2009: Diane Bresler

Distinguished Service Award     Vision Award                                 Commitment Award

                                                             & Allen's Lancaster Greenhouse

McGhee Family Inspiration Award

2009 Celebration of Possibilities     

2010 Celebration of Possibilities