Heart & Hands Awards Recognize Excellence
Press Release
ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Excellence in service to people with developmental disabilities was recognized at the first Heart & Hands Awards dinner held October 20, 2026, at the Ebbert Farm Event Center in St. Clairsville. More than 150 people gathered for the first-ever event, hosted by the Belmont, Harrison, and Noble County Boards of Developmental Disabilities, to celebrate Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and the important role they play in people’s lives.
DSPs support everyday activities, personal goals, and community involvement that helps people with disabilities live with greater independence, dignity, and choice.
Seven DSPs were chosen from among 30 nominees to receive recognition. Winners were:
Cassandra Kirk of Barnesville, Compassion and Advocacy award.
Mary Bloch of Quaker City and Jennifer Diehl of St. Clairsville, co-winners of the 2026 Community Inclusion Champion Award.
Jeremy Wright of Jacobsburg and Doty Toohey of Quaker City, co-winners of the 2026 Innovation & Problem-Solving Award.
Christine McGarry, Glencoe, 2026 Excellence in Direct Support.
Brian Blon of Stewartsville, 2026 Rising Star Award.
Gloria Llewellyn, Superintendent/CEO of the three County Boards, presented the awards and talked about the importance of the work that is done by direct support professionals.
“DSPs provide the opportunities that people with disabilities may not have without their presence in their lives,” Llewellyn said, “This night was about shining a light on their dedication, compassion, and heart.”
Lisa Goodson, parent, advocate, and AR Two Board member, addressed those gathered and shared her gratitude for award-winner Christine McGarry, the DSP who has been with her family for over 26 years.
“Somewhere along the way, Christine stopped being just Nicole’s DSP and became her bonus mom, family, and one of our greatest blessings,” Goodson said.
The county boards of the BHN Alliance serve more than 800 children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome. Local property tax dollars provide the majority of funding for services and supports, including early intervention, supports for school-age children, employment and vocational services, residential supports, and transportation. To learn more, log onto www.bcbdd.org, www.hcbdd.org, or www.ncbdd.org
(Board of Developmental Disabilities Press Release)
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