By JAMEY HELGESON

There is a lot you as an individual you can do to raise awareness about intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in your community. And, since March is I/DD Awareness Month, that’s the perfect time to do your thing — we encourage you to pick at least one idea from the list below and make that your personal effort to raise I/DD awareness in March.

·Post this as your status on Facebook at least once during March: March is Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Awareness Month. Help me celebrate the contributions of all people with I/DD by copying and posting this as your status during March.

·Since many people with disabilities rely on publicly funded services to fully participate in their communities, policy makers need to know you are concerned about continuing those services in the face of budget cuts during tough economic times. Contact your legislators today and let them know you expect them to enact public policy to assist people with I/DD.

·Contact The Arc of Mower County to volunteer or donate. Local chapters are on the front lines of advocacy efforts and provide the services and support essential to people with I/DD and their families. Often they are lifelines for struggling families and they need your help to accomplish their goals.

·Watch movies and TV shows that positively portray actors with disabilities and discuss them with your friends and family. Two actresses with Down syndrome are featured on the hit TV show Glee and were recently awarded The Arc’s Inclusion and Image Award for their positive portrayals.

·Talk to your employer about their practices for recruiting and hiring people with I/DD. Many employers don’t realize just how much an employee with I/DD can contribute to the workplace. Tell them.

·Support businesses that employ people with I/DD and make sure they know you noticed.

Taste of Mower County

Come join Arc for a fun filled evening on Saturday in the Grand Ball Room located at the Holiday Inn. Come meet the chefs that are entering the contest for a traveling trophy. We will have a silent auction, wine tasting, open bar and door prizes.

Entertainment will be by Cedar River Strings. Chefs are asked to make their favorite dish and bring to serve bite size samples to the audience who will vote for their favorite and the cook with the most votes will win the travelling trophy. Please come out to the Holiday Inn from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the evening for a great time. If you would like to participate in our fundraiser by entering as a chef, donating a door prize or becoming a sponsor please call 433-8994 ext. 103 and we will get you all set up.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday: People First Action Club of Mower County Meeting, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Special Olympics Bowling, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Diners Club at Pizza Ranch in Albert Lea, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Saturday: Taste of Mower at the Holiday Inn, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

March 28: PACER Workshop — Six Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn six important skills you can use to become a more effective advocate for your child with a disability.

April 16: Prom, theme: Light Up The Night at St. Edwards Corcoran Center

April 30: Rock and Bowl-A-Thon at Echo Lanes, 2 to 4 p.m.

May 20- 21: Minnesota Self Advocacy Conference.

June 11: Minnesota Twins Game (vs. San Diego Padres)

June 17: Rochester Honkers Baseball Game.