(Lebanon, OH) – A toddler known on social media for his hockey skills, a swimmer competing in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, and a 30-year volunteer with the Cincinnati Reds took center stage to share how sports have shaped their lives during the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities annual Open House on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

The 2026 event, titled “The All-Stars Playbook,” celebrated local athletes and the spirit of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Held each March, the two Open House events highlight the achievements and potential of individuals with developmental disabilities while encouraging the community to support them in living full, productive lives.

The sports-themed event was decorated with gold stars, a concession stand, and posters featuring Warren County Special Olympics athletes. Several athletes signed their posters while attending the event, including Luke Marshall who signed his poster, “Luke Marshall is the best!” Visitors also received trading cards representing more than a dozen athletes across basketball, softball, swimming, and other sports.

The entrance to the auditorium was covered with over one dozen hockey jerseys provided by the first speakers, the Roedl family. The family of four took the stage in matching jerseys, sharing the story of their youngest family member, Jensen, and his journey through surgery for a tethered spinal cord, cerebral palsy, and speech delay, and how hockey has supported their family through it all.

Mom Kelcie spoke while her husband, TJ, and sons Jensen and Tucker accompanied her on stage. Kelcie said she met her husband through their shared love of hockey, so it was no surprise that Jensen quickly became obsessed with hockey.

“Jensen took his hockey stick with him everywhere he went, to the point we jokingly called it his emotional support hockey stick,” Kelcie said. This statement proved true as Jensen played hockey on stage with his father, TJ. The audience giggled as they were entertained by the two-year-old’s hockey skills.

Kelcie shared how Jensen’s love for hockey developed through the years, culminating in the social media video that “changed our lives.” The video, which was posted to TikTok on January 6, 2025, shows Jensen at 1 year and 8 months old flipping a hockey puck with his hockey stick while wearing a onesie, filled with joy over his hockey skills. 

The video went viral and was featured on ESPN and NHL’s official social media. From there, Jensen and his family grew a large social media following, leading to care packages delivered to the family, meeting new friends, and countless other opportunities. 

Jensen’s joy and determination aren’t just entertaining to the Open House audience and his social media followers. They embodied the spirit of community, the power of sports, and the importance of family support.

The next speaker, Warren County Special Olympics Athlete Kelly Crabtree, 38, confidently shared how participating in sports and Special Olympics has impacted her life. From a young age, Crabtree’s parents encouraged her to try new sports, including softball, track and field, swimming, and water polo. She said her parents' encouragement made a significant impact in her athletic journey. 

She credited Warren County Special Olympics for helping her meet new people, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Mason City Council members, and the Ohio State Cheerleaders. Dozens of her teammates have also become some of her closest friends.

Due to her hard work and dedication, she will be representing Ohio at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis in June. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will bring 4,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 fans from all 50 states to Minnesota to watch 19 different sports.

Community Integration Coordinator and Warren County Special Olympics Coordinator Rhonda Schutte proudly sat in the front row to film Crabtree’s presentation. Crabtree thanked Schutte and her other coaches for making it to where she is today. 

Rick Nunamaker, 55, shared how volunteering with the Cincinnati Reds baseball team has impacted his life while sporting his Reds tie.



Nunamaker volunteers at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame assisting guests each weekend during baseball season. In his over 30 years of volunteering with the Cincinnati Reds, Nunamaker said he has seen the team grow, move stadiums, and prioritize accessibility. 

Holding back tears, Rick said the Reds make him feel welcome, never excludes him, and pushes him to do his best.

“My whole life, people only saw my disability,” Nunamaker said. “Volunteering for the Cincinnati Reds organization is the first time where I feel like I am one of them and not defined by my disability.”

Nunamaker ended his speech by reminding everyone, “that Red’s Opening Day is in 16 days, but who’s counting?”

Following the evening Open House, Nunamaker’s old friend, the Cincinnati Reds Mascot Mr. Redlegs, made an appearance to take photos with attendees and present awards at The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities second annual Open House Award Ceremony.

Warren County Commissioner Tom Grossmann presented a proclamation recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month during the afternoon session, while Warren County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Joseph Kirby did so during the evening session. Grossmann emphasized the importance of celebrating individuals with developmental disabilities “not just this month, but every day.” Judge Kirby added, “Tonight, we honor individuals with developmental disabilities, not for what others sometimes see as limitations, but for the strength, character, and heart they display every day.”

The evening Open House began with a performance by the Warren County Wildcat Cheerleaders and ended with the Voices of Warren County Choir, who sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Visitors also had the opportunity to bid on one dozen raffle baskets, raising $180 for Kings Island DD Day and $1,149 for Warren County Special Olympics.

The next Open House will take place March 2027.

For more information, contact Megan Becker at Megan.Becker@WarrenCountyDD.org or (859) 653-7445.