Holmes Conservation Beagle Club rides for Morris, HCBDD
After a whirlwind 80-mile trek across area backroads during the annual Kevin Morris SxS Run on Saturday, April 20, the board members of the Holmes Conservation and Beagle Club made a scheduled pit stop on May 15 at the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where they donated a check for $1,200 to HCBDD Superintendent Marianne Mader on behalf of Kevin Morris.
Morris, who had a huge winning smile and welcoming personality, passed away not long ago, and as a habitual attendee of both the club and the training center, he was one of those people who brought joy to every life he touched.
Because Morris was such a big part of the lives of people in both organizations, it was easy for the Beagle Club members to make the decision to donate to the HCBDD.
“Everyone had such a great time during the run, and we are pleased to make this donation to the training center in memory of Kevin,” said Karen Fluhart, Beagle Club trustee. “Kevin made such a big impact on all of our lives. He was a special person.”
“You could be having a bad day, and Kevin would walk in and that would all disappear,” trustee Austin Thomas said.
Mader said Morris, who was a longtime BDD individual, was one of those people who could strike up a conversation with anyone and brighten their day in the process.
“He was a truly kind-hearted, outgoing person,” Mader said of Morris.
Because of Morris the relationship between the club and the training center has grown and blossomed, and HCBC treasurer Ashley Fluhart said that is all because of Morris.
“We have the run in memory of Kevin, and we know how much he meant to people here at the training center,” she said.
Mader said the HCBDD is grateful to the club members for befriending Morris and for their commitment to supporting the HCBDD, noting community support is critical to ongoing programs the HCBDD is able to provide for the people of Holmes County.
“We need that community support, whether it is through donations like this, through voting for our levies, to help us provide a wonderful place for people with special needs and their families,” Mader said. “Sometimes people with special needs can feel isolated, so it’s phenomenal how these people welcomed Kevin into their group with open arms and just saw him as another person who loved the club.”
She said creating opportunities to plug in people with special needs into various community functions and organizations has been a big push for the HCBDD in recent years, noting the organization’s vision is creating a community where everybody belongs.
“They are helping us bring that vision to life,” Mader said. “Kevin was a great ambassador for us while he was here because you couldn’t help but like him immediately, and he loved to talk.”
Mader said the funds will go into the grants and donations account and be put to good use when a special need arises, noting over time needs arise like the need to purchase special needs equipment for the early intervention program for infants and toddlers, something for the school, or any of a variety of needs to aid individuals with disabilities.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the Holmes Conservation Beagle Club or become involved as a member is invited to visit the club’s Facebook page. They meet Thursday evenings and Sundays, and people can stop in. The Holmes Conservation Beagle Club is located at 221 Franklin St., just west of state Route 83 in Holmesville.
