This week, I had the chance to cover the 4th annual Intellectual and Development Disabilities Awareness Fun Day hosted by the Arc of Pearl River County.

According to the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, March is IDD Awareness Month and is an opportune time to recognize the connection between people with intellectual or development disabilities and their communities.

The fun day held at Poplarville’s City Park was testimony to this bond between members of the community and these adults.

Wednesday was the second time I had the pleasure of attending an event organized by ARC of Pearl River County so it gave me great joy to be recognized by several of its members.

It was clear volunteers and other participants put a large amount of planning and organizing to hold such a memorable and fun day out for everyone in attendance.

From face painting, games, pizza and popcorn, everyone seemed to have been having the time of their lives. And this would not have been possible without the support of volunteers and community members who care to make a difference in the community.

During the festivities, officials from the Poplarville Police Department, fire department, Mississippi Power, Coast Electric and Picayune Police Department, could be seen taking great strides to make the day more eventful.

I was overjoyed to see a group of these special members of the community dancing with students of the cosmetology class from Pearl River Community College.

One of the most telling scenes I left the event with was the immense smiles on their faces after receiving the simplest gift of an Easter egg.

These adults do not seek gifts and have no materialistic demands. All they yearn for is support and love from people around them. I was overjoyed to have participated in such a worthwhile event.