On Wednesday, March 5th, Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee met with members of the ARC of the Pine Belt, Southern Civitan, The Pine Belt Foundation, and the United Way of the Pine Belt Region to recognize March as Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Awareness Month in the City of Laurel.
During the brief ceremony, Mayor Magee signed a proclamation and thanked those who worked with these organizations for their dedicated service to members in the community who live with an intellectual and/or developmental disability.
Following the proclamation signing, Caroline Nurkin of the Pine Belt Foundation presented a donation of $5,000 to the ARC of the Pine Belt.
The month of March was first recognized as IDD Awareness month in 1987 when President Ronald Regan issued a public proclamation to encourage Americans to provide those with intellectual/developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
Since then, many states and municipalities have continued the tradition and worked to bring awareness to the issues facing individuals with IDD to members of their local communities.
The ARC of the Pine Belt Region, which began in 1962, has been working with community members to provide recreational services and enrichment programs to individuals with IDD throughout the Pine Belt.
The ARC of the Pine Belt Region hosts monthly programs for local individuals affected by IDD that allows them to participate in community life, such as going to the fair, attending festivals and events, and having holiday parties. Community members who do not have IDD are invited to join the organization to help those who do experience a fuller, more social life. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064528096803
Southern Civitan is the local chapter of the Civitan International organization founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1917. The organization works to create opportunities and social change for those with an intellectual or developmental disability. More information can be found at https://civitan.org/
The Pine Belt Foundation was established in 1997 and helps to enable short and long-term charitable donations through their funds and scholarship programs. More information can be found at https://www.pinebeltfoundation.org/about
The proclamation read as follows:
Whereas, some of the citizens of the City of Laurel have intellectual or developmental disabilities; and
Whereas, people with intellectual or developmental disabilities share the same desires as other Mississippians including goals in education, meaningful work, and an independent community life; and
Whereas, Mississippians with intellectual or developmental disabilities have the ability and the right to work, worship, learn, and enjoy life wherever they choose; and
Whereas, Mississippians with intellectual or developmental disabilities deserve the total support, respect, and acceptance of all citizens of the City of Laurel
Now, therefore, I, Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, hereby proclaim the month of March 2025 as Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the City of Laurel and encourage all citizens to join me in recognizing the unique strengths and contributions of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and in showing appreciation for the ways in which they enrich the City of Laurel and make it a better place to live for everyone.
In witness, thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Laurel, Mississippi to be affixed this the 4th day of March, A.D. 2025.
