September 16, 2024
An All Star 18th Annual Buddy Walk
Breese, IL – Days before the weekend, the weather for the 18th Annual Community Link Buddy Walk was looking questionable, but the community was blessed with a sunny day on Saturday, September 14 at Northside Park in Breese. Over 1400 All Star members of the community registered to celebrate all individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. As of the end of the event on Saturday, Community Link has raised $124,000 of their $125,000 goal with the support of family, friends, and sponsors. Through the continued generosity and additional donations from the community, Community Link feels confident that the total goal will be met.
The day began with a karaoke party with performances by Community Link participants backed by DJ-RYD’L of Singderella’s Entertainment, who entertained the crowd with sound and music for whole day. Poettker Construction generously installed a ramp to the stage, making the stage easily accessible to all for the performances and festivities of the day.
The performances were followed by an opening ceremony with Michelle Delfel, director of donor engagement, and Katie Newman, communications and outreach manager of Community Link thanking and congratulating the sponsors and top fundraising teams to date. Willa’s Wonders has been the top fundraising team this year.
Community Link’s executive director, John Huelskamp, spoke about how impactful this fundraiser is for the organization and participants, stating, “The All Star theme recognizes all of our participants as All Stars in the ways they adapt and overcome any hurdles life throws their way on a daily basis. And just like everyone here today, our participants want to be a part of our community and make a difference with their own unique contributions.”
Bryce Albers did a great job singing the National Anthem for the third year. Then at 11am, the Buddy Walk began. The one-mile walk takes registrants through the community of Breese, and finishes back at the park again. The Breese Fire Department led the walk with their fire truck, followed Miss Clinton County Shelby Peters, and a sea of people, walking with their loved ones and showing their support for the participants of Community Link.
The park was a bustle of activity before and after the walk, with emcee Paul Klostermann sharing all there was to do. Community Link participants, Patty, James, Danielle, and Charlene, sold their hand-crafted items. Cinch, a horse with Chakota Therapeutic Riding Center, and volunteers attended to show support, including Joseph, a regular therapy rider who rode Cinch during the walk.
Attendees enjoyed bidding on silent auction items. A raffle was made possible by a donation of an electric mower from Foppe Ace Hardware. Rose Kraft won the electric mower and David Heimann won the second-place prize, a hand-made American flag donated by the Harper family.
Michelle’s Mashers, one of the 44 Buddy Walk teams in attendance, had their own raffle to support the organization. They raffled 4 St. Louis Blues tickets, donated by Piasa Moto Fuels and CC Food Marts, which was won by Melissa Netemeyer.
Food vendors at this year’s event included Suits Me BBQ, Fantastick Pops, Sip N Scoot Mobile Café, and Ballpark Concessions. The Red Porch Café had seasonal food items and made-to-order sandwiches. Sodas were donated from Excel Bottling, popcorn was donated by Lory Theater, and water was donated from Dieterich Bank.
There were many other activities filling up the afternoon including yard games, face painting, sports crafts, and cookie decorating. Community Link is grateful to friends at UNCOMN for volunteering and providing the supplies for the fun activities.
Community Link had its 3rd Annual Best Buddy Dog Show at 12pm. There were 15 dogs registered for the competition. The judges, who were participants and staff of Community Link, had the fun but challenging job of scoring each contestant. There were some cute, well-dress competitors for the Best Buddy in Show, but Lucy won the top prize.
Donations can still be made at the Community Link website commlink.org/buddywalk. Further information about the walk, sponsors, and ways to stay involved will be shared on the organization’s Facebook page at facebook.com/commlink1972.
Community Link is especially grateful to the many sponsors who have made the walk possible over the years including Presenting sponsors: HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bradford National Bank, Dairy King, The Knights of Columbus – Niemeyer Agency, and Poettker Construction.
Gold sponsors: Carlye Knights of Columbus, Trenton Knights of Columbus, Klostermann State Farm Insurance, K&J Chevrolet and K&J Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Shelter Logic Group, Litteken Construction, AVH Ink & Vinyl, FCB Banks, State Rep Charlie Meier, Monken Nissan Monken Toyota, Clinton Manor, Breese Optimists, Applebee’s Breese, Eddie’s Rise n Dine, Rehkemper & Son, Foppe Ace Hardware, Dodd & Wambold Estate Planning & Elder Law.
Silver sponsors: Highland Knights of Columbus, Albers/Damiansville Knights of Columbus, Foppe Insurance Agency, Spencer Building Companies, Kohrmann Electric, Azar Orthodontics, Love You More Foundation, Jim’s Formal Wear, Bartelso Knights of Columbus, Community Transportation Development, Dieterich Bank, Shelley Kenow IEP Consultant, Southern Bus & Mobility, Midwest National Bank, DBA Custom Woodworking, Scott Credit Union, UNCOMN, CC Food Marts, Kassen Excavating, Breese Journal and Publishing, Wiegmann Construction, Grapperhaus Metal, T and T Electric, Jansen Chevrolet, Einstein Consulting Group, Pisces Pools Plus, and B-Dry/B-Wet Solutions.
Community Link also thanks the 25 generous Bronze sponsors who donated for the walk.
Community Link is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities through a person-centered approach that promotes self-directed living choices and community integration opportunities. The mission of Community Link is to offer opportunities for growth and independence for people with developmental disabilities. For more information visit commlink.org.