Community Connections hosts fundraiser at California Nutrition Center

Democrat photo/Kaden Quinn: 
Guests arrive for a chili and soup dinner for the Community Connections of Moniteau County's fundraiser at the California Nutrition Center on Saturday.
Democrat photo/Kaden Quinn: Guests arrive for a chili and soup dinner for the Community Connections of Moniteau County's fundraiser at the California Nutrition Center on Saturday.

Community Connections for Moniteau County hosted a Chili and Soup Dinner for individuals with developmental disabilities on Saturday. This fundraiser is the first time the organization has worked with the California Nutrition Center to raise money. Funds will be put towar treatment recommendations and activities for clients.

According to Executive Director Barbara Gilpin, Community Connections got in contact with the center's staff to see if the location could be used as a venue for its dinner and silent auction event. She said Community Connections is often confused with sheltered workshops, which received state funding through Missouri Senate Bill 40 (SB 40), a measure passed in 1969 that provides support for individuals with mental disabilities. However, Community Connections does not receive the same SB 40 assistance.

"(People) think that we are part of Senate Bill 40 -- we are not. We do have some oversight for some of their programs, we do collaborate with them, but we don't get any of the taxpayer funding that Senate Bill 40 does. The only funds that we have come from what we billed through Medicaid," Gilpin said.

A fundraiser with a popular location within California would benefit Community Connections' operations as it would draw in many guests on Saturday afternoon.

She said the fundraiser is for younger clients with Community Connections who do not qualify for independent living waivers, transportation waivers and other programs. She said what the organization would like to do is provide activities for clients and their guardians, offering productive opportunities that allow them to work together or independently.

Organizers of the event will give funds from its ticket sales and subsequent auction to individuals in need of assistance. Auction items included a gift basket with Kansas City Zoo tickets, jewelry, handmade quilts, board games, tool sets, toys and activity sets and much more.

Gilpin said about 150 people joined Community Connections for its fundraiser. Although funds are still being counted, she estimates the event raised about $3,000 for the organization. Although there are no plans future event, Gilpin said she would like to pursue another fundraiser at the California Nutrition Center next year.

  photo  Democrat photo/Kaden Quinn: Attendees look through items for the fundraiser's silent auction. All proceeds from the event's auction and ticket sales will go to