In 1987 President Ronald Reagan declared the month of March to be Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, in 1987.

Reagan urged all Americans to join him “in according to our fellow citizens with such disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Encouragement is just what was given at the Tri-State Industries and Open Door School March Madness basketball games on Tuesday.

People from the community packed the stands at Dawson-Bryant High School to show support for the two teams that played some exciting rounds of basketball with each other, as well as with some of Lawrence County’s elected officials and Tribune employees.

The Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities always does a great job each year of putting on this game, as well as its other awareness-raising events throughout the month.

More than just a few games of hoops, Tuesday was about showing the community that children and adults with developmental disabilities are important members of the community and are not to be hidden away.

Saturday’s Chili Fest is the last event for the year and we encourage everyone to head to DBHS to support the efforts of the Board of DD.

Although March is designated DD Awareness Month, we shouldn’t forget these people live and go to school or work year round-right here in Lawrence County.

Showing our support at these events is just one small thing we can do to build a welcoming community for everyone.