Pictured with the Anniversary cake from the left are Kari Lupton, LCDS Board of Directors, Patsy Garside, Dave Peters, Adelle Stewardson, Manager of Fund Development, LCDS, Doug Smith, Carmel Levesque, and Ineke MacKenzie, Chair of the Anniversary Committee.
In 1955, a group of parents in Lambton County whose children had developmental disabilities became aware that they were all facing and struggling with the same reality—there was a gap in the education system and no structured learning environment provided for their children. These parents dreamt of meaningful lives for their child and began meeting in each other’s living rooms and collaborating. Eventually they created the first school for children with disabilities in Lambton County. This grassroots movement marked the establishment of Lambton County Developmental Services—the agency that will celebrate 60 years of service in Sarnia Lambton in 2015!
LCDS has continued to evolve over the past 60 years. This evolution has been driven by the people we serve and their families, who are at the heart of our agency. Currently, LCDS provides support to 163 people; their needs, their choices and their dreams shape who we are and how we provide support in the community.
The 60th Anniversary Planning Committee has been meeting over the past year to discuss and plan how we will recognize this milestone at LCDS throughout 2015. The celebrations were kicked off at the annual LCDS Corporate Appreciation in February. Other events throughout 2015 will have a 60th Anniversary theme – refer to the “Events” page and mark your calendars!
An LCDS music group was formed and has been rehearsing since September of 2014. It is comprised of people we support, employees and friends of LCDS who have an interest in and a desire to express themselves through music! John Reid, who is a talented musician and well known in the musical theatre community, has volunteered to lead this group. The music group (yet to be named) will debut at the Volunteer and Donor Recognition BBQ on June 22nd and also perform at the Annual Banquet on October 2nd. This group is very excited to perform and is hoping to entertain a large audience at these events.
