Bobby Dodd was honored at a recent dinner-dance sponsored by Our Lady’s Association for exceptional children. Mr. Dodd, who has been outstanding over the years in helping the cause of the mentally retarded, especially the Bobby Dodd Workshop, was presented a plaque by Herb Farnsworth, president of the association. The program at the workshop has proved effective in training mentally retarded young adults through vocational rehabilitation to assume their appropriate and satisfying roles in the community.

Dr. James Clements, former director of Gracewood and present director to the new 28 building Georgia Retardation Center now under construction in suburban Atlanta, was the guest speaker. Through his informative talk, Dr. Clements urged everyone to assume their responsibility in reducing the number of retarded children by insisting through legislative efforts that all expectant mothers be given complete prenatal care and by enforcing the present law that all new-born be given the Phenyl Ketonuria (PKU) test. In the future the number of mentally retarded could be reduced by 50% in the state of Georgia, if the above were followed. He also emphasized that Headstart and other similar programs are helping to prevent retardation caused by environmental influence in poverty areas.

Among the honorary members introduced by Paul Shields, master of ceremonies, was Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan who gave the invocation. Dr. Samuel Williams, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, closed the formal program with a prayer.

Following dinner and the formal program, the guests enjoyed dancing to the music of the Ward DuVall Orchestra.

Although the association has the approval of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, neither the membership nor the children assisted are exclusively Catholic. Their programs are for the benefit of all exceptional children and families.

The proceeds from this affair will help to continue the present efforts of Our Lady’s Association in the field of special education and the spiritual development of handicapped children. The immediate project is the Annual Christmas Confirmation Program for Exceptional Persons to be held at the Cathedral of Christ the King on December 30. Anyone wishing more information on this confirmation may call Father Richard Kieran 634-2437. The proceeds will also help to initiate a program of recreational activities and facilities for these children. Work on this project has begun on developing a selected site at Lake Allatoona.