Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.net
Developing Potential, Inc. is hosting their annual community gala next month. The Nov. 10 event will celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary and support their capital campaign to fund an expansion in Lee’s Summit.
The gala will be held in the Unity Village Ballroom and will feature live and silent auctions, live artwork by Teddy Jackson, a wine pull, and community award recognition. The theme of the event is “Building Lives” and it will be emceed by Joel Nichols.
DPI was founded in 1993 and has three locations in the metro area, which serve about 150 individuals with developmental disabilities. They provide occupational therapy, physical therapy, job coaching and other support services to clients aged 18 to 65.
“We help our individuals get out into the community and really be a part of their community,” Amy Cox, development director for DPI, says. “It’s important for all adults to have activities and things that connect them to other people.”
A preliminary development plan was just approved by the Lee’s Summit City Council to build a new facility near their existing offices on NW Executive Way. The new space will allow DPI to expand their services to help alleviate their waitlist. It will include nine classrooms and locker space, as well as a fenced outdoor patio, to support their day habitation services.
All proceeds from the Building Lives Community Recognition Gala will benefit DPI’s capital campaign to support the expansion.
Individual tickets are $100, with sponsorship opportunities starting at $250. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.developingpotential.net/2018-dpi-gala.
Award recipients for the evening include:
Evan Crims: Kansas City Site Individual of the Year
Robert Bly: Independence Site Individual of the Year
Allison Byrd: Lee’s Summit Site Individual of the Year
Addym Swearingen: DPI Employment Connections Individual of the Year
Weed Man: DPI Employment Connections Business Partner of the Year
Carol Crawford: Volunteer of the Year
Bob and Alissa Glaser: Community Partners of the Year
DPI will be announcing its Lifetime Advocacy Award recipient at a later date.
