Sellout crowd comes out to support Community Link

Community Link participants (from left) Heather, Michelle and Sandra enjoy the photo booth at the Special Needs Foundation for Community Link Rockin’ the Possibilities Gala on Saturday, April 18, at Breese American Legion        More than 250 people attended the Special Needs Foundation for Community Link Rockin' the Possibilities gala on Saturday, April 18, at Breese American Legion.
    The room was decorated in navy and gold and each table featured a unique centerpiece handmade by the Community Link participants.
    Guests, sponsors, donors and friends helped raise more than $105,000 to support the foundation. The funds will be added to the endowment that supports Community Link.
    The program opened with a video featuring Community Link participant Steve Huelsmann, who was the gala's guest of honor. Community Link executive director John Huelskamp said Huelsmann was one of the Community Link participants who wanted to do more in the community.
    "When we met, I spoke for everybody and made sure that everybody was on the same page," Huelsmann said.
    Huelsmann enjoys playing bingo and rummy. He started in Community Link in 1982. He had artwork of a rummy hand as part of the silent auction.
    Huelskamp said he doesn't think he has ever seen a video that accurately captured the essence of Huelsmann. Huelskamp said Huelsmann was one of the first Community Link participants he was able to meet 14 years ago. Huelsmann was on the board of directors at the time.
    "Steve's wit is deep, his laughter infectious, and his story telling is captivating," Huelskamp said. "And we get the pleasure of that all of the time. It is just something that is remarkable."
    Huelskamp said Huelsmann looked out not only for himself, but for all of the participants that he works with. Huelskamp said Huelsmann got the nickname "Big Daddy" because he looked out for everybody.
    "He taught me, as a new executive director, how to do it right," Huelskamp said. "This organization keeps moving the needle from good to great."Community Link Executive Director John Huelskamp and participant Steve Huelsmann share a few words during the gala.
    Community Link recently celebrated 54 years as an organization. Huelskamp said you don't arrive in a vacuum, and they recognized that a long time ago.
    "It takes a lot," Huelskamp said. "It takes participants like Steve that live the values of our mission statement of providing choice, independence and growth. Steve has demonstrated all of those factors during his long time with Community Link. He has demonstrated that through advocating for other participants and moving that ball forward."
    Huelskamp said Community Link is going under a very exciting strategic planning process where they are looking to expand their CILA program.
    There are some changes coming to the Community Link day program. A recent bill passed that is going to stop a lot of the ways that Community Link has been an outside-in organization. That will allow them the opportunity to pivot from outside-in to inside-out.
    "That means people will have opportunities to be more included in the community," Huelskamp said.
    Community Link soon will be adding a community inclusion specialist position. Some participants want to go out in the community after working all day, while other participants just want to stay home. The community specialist position has the opportunity to go across several Community Integrated Living Arrangement homes and give the participants the opportunity to go out into the community.
    Huelskamp said the Special Needs Foundation for Community Link has been a great partnership for more than 22 years. They have been able to help build for the future, but also support in the present. Board members include president Helen Heimann, secretary Amy Maschhoff, treasurer Joe Heimann, Amber Brooke, Amy Buller, Barb Gerstner, Ashley Gramann, Bill Hibner, Paul Klostermann, Dana Korte and Brittany Puchbauer.
    Helen Heimann is stepping down from the foundation. Huelskamp thanked Heimann for her service and said she has hit many marks over the years.
    Huelskamp thanked the Community Link board of directors. He thanked the staff of 175 employees across two counties, eight homes, four workshop sites, and Red Porch Cafe business.
    Heimann has been with the foundation for nine years.
    "It has been an honor and privilege to be here and this is the most fun night of the year," Heimann said. "This night has helped take Community Link from good to great."
    Heimann introduced Hibner as the new foundation president. Hibner has been with Community Link for more than 10 years. He started on the board of directors and is now on the Special Needs Foundation.
    Hibner said the Special Needs Foundation was formed more than 20 years ago by families who wanted to create more opportunities for their loves ones.
    "We are starting to see the impact of this foundation," Hibner said. "
    Hibner also stated the endowment has grown to over $1 million under Heimann. That gives Community Link the opportunity to create more programs, inclusion and possibilities for the participants.
    "Together, we can make a brighter future and we can rock for a better tomorrow and a better future for all of our participants," Hibner said.
    Jim and John Kues from Kues Bros. announced the live auction. Items up for bid were a Cardinals Dream Day: Stan Musial and game experience, light up your landscape, tickets to Wicked at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, and St. Louis City tickets. That was followed by Fund Our Future where attendees could donate $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250 or $100 to Community Link. There was $43,000 raised during the Fund Our Future paddle raise.
    Kevin and Michelle of Felix and Fingers played dueling pianos as the entertainment for the evening.
    The Special Needs Foundation for Community Link is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support developmentally disabled citizens served by Community Link. The goal is to raise and grow funds to support Community Link while preserving donation capital.