LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A longstanding partnership continues to make a difference for children with developmental disabilities in Allen County. On Tuesday, the Lima Elks Lodge No. 54 presented a check for just over $10,000 to the Lima Children’s Developmental Center (LCDC), supporting the center’s early intervention and preschool programs.
The donation is part of an annual contribution made possible through a state Elks grant. Over the years, the local lodge has donated more than $500,000 to the center.
Established in 1953 as the Lima and Allen County Clinic, the center has undergone several name changes before officially becoming the Lima Children’s Developmental Center in 1996. It remains the only private, non-profit early intervention and preschool program for special needs children in Allen County.
“We offer developmental preschool services for children with one or more areas of developmental concern,” said Elisha Reineke, executive director of LCDC. “All of our kids are 18 months to kindergarten, and we try our best to wrap them in a lot of high-quality educational resources to build a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond.”
Mary Dray, who attended the center as a child, reflected on the impact it had on her life.
“It kind of all started here,” Dray said. “If I didn’t get the great education I did here, a good start, then I don’t think I’d be where I am today and have as much confidence in myself to do what I am able to do.”
Suzanne Corsaro, secretary of Elks Lodge No. 54, praised the center’s long-term impact on the children it serves.
“There have been testimonies of many children who have thrived from the program here,” Corsaro said, “growing up through this, learning to navigate through some of the disabilities that they have.”
The Lima Elks say they remain committed to supporting the center’s mission of helping children build brighter futures, one child at a time.
