Wood County Board of Development Disabilities (WCBDD) will hold its 5th annual Celebrity Basketball Game on March 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Dolores Black Gymnasium located in the BG Community Center.
Doors will open at 5 p.m.
Throughout the month of March, and the remainder of the year 2024, WCBDD will be hosting a variety of events in an effort to increase awareness in the community about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The hope is to promote integration for and inclusion of all people within their communities.
The celebrity basketball game will feature the Special Olympics Wood County Wildcat basketball athletes battling a team of local celebrities. There will be two 30-minutes games with a running clock.
Bring a non-perishable food item for admission. WCBDD advocacy groups, People First and Aktion Club, will be collecting items to donate to a local food bank and they will also be selling popcorn.
There are several fun activities planned for the game this year:
• A professional DJ and announcer will be there for additional entertainment.
• There will be a half-court contest and a chance to win a prize.
• Elmwood Pep Band will be performing throughout the night.
• 50\50 drawing
WCBDD is seeking additional local “celebrities” to participate in the Celebrity Basketball Game. This may include local officials and representatives, law enforcement, business owners, news teams, and more. Anyone interested in participating may sign-up on the Wood Lane – Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities Facebook page, the WCBDD website under the Special Olympics page, or contact Joe Bernyk, community engagement specialist at WCBDD, by phone at 419-419-7900 or email, [email protected]. Those participating in the game will receive a Wildcats VS. Celebrity Basketball shirt and will be introduced before the game begins.
Charese Botjer, communications and community engagement manager, says this event is incredibly important to the WCBDD community and individuals served.
“Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities is committed to inclusion 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Although Developmental Disabilities Month is celebrated in March, it is our mission to celebrate inclusion and educate beyond the month of March. Our athletes, individuals served, and entire community look forward to this event each year because it unites our community as one,” she said.
