RHDD Hosts Spring Formal for the Disabled

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Each year the Residential Home for the Developmentally Disabled hosts a spring formal for its members. From year-to-year the theme of the formal changes and this year they selected the 1950s.

With almost 300 members dressed in poodle skirts and leather jackets this event started in 2012 as a prom because may of the members of the RHDD had never been able to attend a real prom.

“The people that we work with deserved an experience like this where they are the center of attention and they could have a night that was just magical and we wanted to provide them that,” said Lisa Reed, the executive director for RHDD. “Every year this is big event everyone looks forward to. We have folks coming in from Athens tonight, from Marietta, of course Zanesville, Coshocton, and Morgan County. All throughout Southeastern Ohio.”

At this year’s event at the Zanesville Eagles there were members as young as ten and as old as 90, dancing and participating in costume contests. Reed said she is already looking forward to next year’s event.

“I have all kinds of ideas but I get a little carried away sometimes,” said Reed. “I’d like to have a Victorian theme. Maybe a Tarzan and Jane, or favorite football team. Anything at all.”

To learn more about RHDD you can visit their website at www.rhdd.org