Staff Report

The Lawrence County Open Door School recently was awarded contributions totalling $13,000.

The money — donated by The Riverside Center for Disabled Persons Inc. and the Liebert Corp. — will be used for improvements at the school.

The recently disbanded Riverside Center for Disabled Persons Inc., a nonprofit group based in Chesapeake, has contributed $10,000 to Open Door School.

According to a release from the Lawrence County Board of MRDD, the funds will be used to install air conditioning in the school’s gymnasium.

“Air conditioning is a necessity, not a luxury for children who have multiple handicaps,” said Paul B. Mollett, superintendent of the MRDD Board.

Health concerns, such as seizure disorders and other medical problems, are often compounded by heat, according to the release.

The donation from Liebert Corp., which totalled $3,000, will help the MRDD board with continued improvements at Open Door School as well.

The MRDD Board has used previous contributions from Liebert for lighting upgrades and other classroom projects at Open Door School.

“We truly appreciate the generous gifts of our neighbors, like Liebert and Riverside,” Mollett said.

Open Door School is located in the former Lombard School building at Fourth and Lorain Streets in Ironton. The structure was built in 1927.