COAL GROVE — The Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities is gearing up for the 2012 DD Awareness Month this March.

The first major community-involved event is the 5K Run/Walk this Saturday in South Point beginning at 9 am.

March is celebrated as DD Awareness Month to help the community realize the importance of the developmentally disabled as part of the community.

The statewide theme for this year’s activities focuses on bringing the community together to accomplish more.

A large turnout for the run/walk shows support from community members for developmental disabilities.

This is the second year the LCBDD has held their 5K for Developmental Disabilities. Last year’s race turned out over 200 runners and walkers from the Tri-State area.

“We were very pleased with last year’s turnout,” says Tim Nunnery, public relations and personnel director of the LCBDD. “We’re hoping to have the same amount of people participate. And from the looks of things so far, we’re going to come close to the same turnout.”

Herman Faulkner is a client with the LCBDD, working at Tri-State Industries. Herman ran in last year’s race, and is already preparing for this year’s race by running regularly on a treadmill.

“I like running for all the people that have a disability,” says Faulkner. “I pretty much sponsor all the people with learning disabilities by entering the race.”

Later in the month of March, the LCBDD is putting on the 13th annual Chili Fest and Craft Show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24 at Dawson Bryant High School. The Chili Fest will be followed by DD basketball games on March 27 beginning at 5:45 p.m.

For more information about DD Awareness Month, or to register for the 5K run/walk, Chili Fest or Craft Show call or 740-532-7401.

All runners in the 5K will get a 50 percent off coupon for a one month membership to Elite Rehab and Fitness.