2013 CL Buddy Walk Success

May 06, 2013

Community Link held their 7^th annual Buddy Walk on Saturday, April 27^th at Carlyle Lake. With over 400 registered walkers, the rainy weather was not enough to keep people from walking for a great cause! This event, which helps raise awareness for people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, brought in nearly $16,000 in gross proceeds. The top fundraising team again this year was Team Torino – Strides for Steve Timmermann, raising over $3,000. Thank you to all who came out to enjoy this special day.

A special thank you goes out to this year’s Buddy Walk sponsors. The Gold sponsor was Foppe Insurance Agency. Silver sponsors included Henken Storage, First County Banks, and Rooter’s Asphalt. Thank you to the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, Clinton County Parrot Head Club, First Bank employees, Mater Dei Track Team, and McKendree University Track Team for the tremendous help the day of the event. Other donors who made the day possible include Excel Bottling, Hardees, Carlyle IGA, Dynamic Vending, Taylor Made Signs, Peek/Huelsmann Rentals, and Diann White.

Community Link, a non-profit organization and proud United Way member agency, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities in our community. The mission of Community Link is to help people with developmental disabilities, and other difficulties, achieve learning breakthroughs, find a job, live in a home of their own, and make friends.

CL Welcomes New Board Members

April 08, 2013

Community Link welcomes two new members to their Board of Directors.

Judge Joseph Heimann of Highland comes to Community Link with over 30 years of federal service. Judge Heimann, Colonel, USAF retired, currently serves as an Administrative Law Judge with the Social Security Administration, after 27 years of active duty as a Judge Advocate in which he served commanders at every level, to include the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Joe welcomed the opportunity to work with Community Link in the hopes of serving his sister, Peggy, and others with developmental disabilities and other difficulties. Joe and his wife, Nancy, both originally from Clinton County, are the proud parents of a son, a daughter, and four grandkids.

Deb Baldwin of Fairview Heights has been retired since 2009 and brings with her experience in the fields of advertising and computer technology.

Deb has been actively supportive of both the Fairview Heights Police Department and Fairview Fire Department since 1996, publishing a newsletter with crime and safety tips that is mailed out bi-annually to the residents of Fairview Heights. Deb is co-founder of the organization CUFF (Citizens United For Fairview), which also hosts an annual recognition night for local law enforcement and firefighters.

Deb's youngest son is a participant in the day program at the Community Link Metro (Fairview Heights) location. Deb enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. As a strong parent advocate, Baldwin looks forward to contributing her experience and dedication to Community Link.

Community Link, a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis, helps people with developmental disabilities, and other difficulties, to achieve learning breakthroughs, find a job, live in a home of their own and make friends. The 41-year-old agency serves individuals and families in southwestern Illinois. For more information call 618-526-8800.

CL St. Patrick's Day Gala Success

April 08, 2013

Community Link hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Gala at Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Over 200 guests attended the event. They enjoyed appetizers, a chocolate fountain, photo booth, raffles, and live music provided by the Prairie Travelers and their guests.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the performances by three of our program participants. Ron Bequette, program participant and resident of one of our CILA homes wrote a speech about how Community Link’s programs created an environment that he would not have received elsewhere. Kathy Wempe performed “Tongue Twister“on the piano along with her volunteer piano instructor Courtney Kuhl, who has worked with Kathy in preparing for the performance. Alex Morrison sang “Samantha”, which was a song he co-wrote about his feelings for a special lady friend. He sang the song with heartfelt emotion and received a standing ovation. These individuals were able to overcome their apprehension at performing in front of a large crowd, and did a wonderful job showcasing their talents.

The silent auction was another highlight that could not have been as successful without the many wonderful donations received.

Community Link is grateful to the Emerald Sponsors, Bob Brandkamp, First Bank, K&J Chevrolet, Inc., Kohnen Concrete Products, Inc., and Poettker Construction; and to our Gold Sponsor, Jim’s Formal Wear for their continued support and contributions. Community Link is also grateful to the Orange Sponsors, the cash donations, and the in-kind donations and volunteer hours. We appreciate the roles everyone played in making this event a success.

Breese K of C Tootsie Roll Drive Benefits CL

March 11, 2013

Community Link is one of eight organizations that received a donation from the Breese Knights of Columbus Council #2869. These donations were made possible by the generosity of countless individuals and businesses in the area who made donations to their annual Tootsie Roll Drive, which was held last September. Community Link is thankful to the Breese Knights of Columbus Council #2869 for their continued support. The Council’s generous donation will be used to enhance the services we provide to our program participants.

CCPHC Spring Phling

February 15, 2013

The Clinton County Parrot Head Club is hosting their 6th Annual Spring Phling chicken and beer dance on February 23, 2013 at Bretz Wildlife Lodge & Winery in Carlyle, IL, featuring “Jimmy and the Parrots” from New Jersey. Tickets are $25 each, which includes all you can eat fried chicken and draft beer. A silent auction will be held, along with raffles and prizes. The doors open at 6:00 PM. For tickets or more information, contact Todd Peppenhorst, President of the CCPHC at 618-792-6586 or toddpccparrot@yahoo.com. Proceeds benefit Community Link.

CL Receives Farmers State Bank Donation

February 07, 2013

On December 27th, 2012 Shirlene Luebbers, VP at Farmer’s State Bank in Hoffmann stopped in to present a check toward Community Link’s Annual Appeal Drive. Community Link is grateful for the support of Farmer’s State Bank as well as the other businesses and individuals that have supported our efforts during our 2012-2013 Annual Appeal Drive.

Pictured l to r: Jamie Fields, Development Director at Community Link, Shirlene Luebbers, VP at Farmer’s State Bank in Hoffmann, and John Huelskamp, Executive Director at Community Link

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to Community Link, please visit www.commlink.org/donate to go to our secure online donation site, or mail a check to Community Link, Annual Appeal Drive, P.O. Box 157, Breese, IL 62230.

CL First Step Payless Gives Award

February 04, 2013

Community Link’s First Step Early Learning and Family Support Program has been chosen by Payless ShoeSource to receive 75 merchandise certificates through their Payless Gives™ Shoes 4 Kids program. Each merchandise certificate is redeemable for, or toward, a pair of children’s shoes at any Payless ShoeSource store.

Community Link accompanied some families enrolled in our Early Head Start program to the Payless ShoeSource stores to purchase shoes for children in need.

Mission Continues Volunteers for CL

December 28, 2012

The Mission Continues organization volunteered at Community Link in Fairview Heights, IL on December 8, 2012 from 9-3. These veterans painted and removed carpeting in the classrooms and sheltered workshop.

The Mission Continues challenges veterans to serve and lead in communities across America. They do this through six-month community service fellowships. During their fellowship, each Fellow serves for 20 hours/week at a local nonprofit organization in their community. Each Fellow works to achieve one of three objectives at the conclusion of the fellowship: full-time employment, pursuit of higher education, or a permanent role of service. At the culmination of the program, Fellows lead a capstone service project. These veteran-led service projects empower veterans to feel more connected to their communities and civilians gain a better understanding of our men and women in uniform.

These fellowships are important. The mission of the Mission Continues is fueled by a deep belief that are veterans are assets whose leadership is needed now more than ever in our communities. Many veterans struggle to find the same purpose at home as they found in the mission, camaraderie, and structure of the military. Through service, veterans find renewed strength and purpose while building stronger communities.

Community Link is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities in our community. With locations in Breese and Fairview Heights, IL, they address the needs of more than 500 children and adults with developmental disabilities in our area.

CCLBA Continues to Give

December 17, 2012

The children and families enrolled in Community Link’s First Step programs will be having a very merry Christmas this year thanks to the generosity of the Clinton County Licensed Beverage Association. They once again collected toys to be given to the children for Christmas, and also donated $1,000 which will be used to purchase household items that will be put into gift baskets for needy families. Community Link is grateful to the Clinton County Licensed Beverage Association for making the holidays brighter for our First Step families.

Executech Benefits CL Thanksgiving

November 26, 2012

Thanks to a generous donation from Executech Strategic Consulting, Community Link’s Fairview Heights Metro program participants and staff enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving feast provided by Pasta Fare. This meal offers a touch of home that some of our program participants do not receive during this time of year. We are all thankful for Executech who remember us every year. Steve Woolf, Midwestern Region Vice President at Executech, presented the check to Michele McDaniel, Associate Director of Adult Programs at Community Link.