April 20, 2026
A Remarkable Rockin’ the Possibilities Gala
Breese, IL – The Special Needs Foundation for Community Link held its annual gala to support the vison of a community where all individuals are valued for their presence and contributions.
This annual event on April 18, 2026, featured Dueling Pianos by Felix and Fingers for a Rockin’ the Possibilities theme. The American Legion in Breese was filled with music, dancing, singing, and laughter. The room was draped in elegant navy and gold, and each table featured a unique centerpiece handmade by the participants of Community Link. The evening was made possible by the foundation board members, whose months of dedication brought the event to life.
The gala had over 250 attendees, charging the room with energy. Guests, sponsors, donors and friends showed great generosity, raising more than $105,000 to support the foundation. These gifts will be added to the endowment that supports Community Link today and decades into the future.
Entertainment included an upbeat and exciting show from Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos, a photo booth, as well as live and silent auctions. Snacks and sweets catered by The Red Porch Café were enjoyed by all. The Fund Our Future paddle raise was a brief moment that will create years of lasting impact as guests generously donated $43,000 to invest in the future of Community Link.
The evening program began with an uplifting video, which can be viewed at commlink.org, featuring long time Community Link Participant Steve Huelsmann, who was also the guest of honor. He chatted with Community Link executive director John Huelskamp, who also thanked the crowd for the support of the foundation and shared some of the organization’s plans for the future. With 9 years of volunteer service, retiring Special Needs Foundation for Community Link board president Helen Heimann, shared her passion for the organization, then passed the microphone to incoming Special Needs Foundation for Community Link board president Bill Hibner.
The organization would like to thank businesses and individuals donated a wide variety of items for the evening’s auctions. The silent auction was an extensive display of a variety of great items. John and Jim Kues enthusiastically lead the live auction and paddle raise.
As the foundation’s largest and most significant event of the year, the gala once again proved to be a meaningful and impactful evening. The foundation sincerely appreciates the attentiveness of its guests during the program and extends its gratitude to all who attended and showed their support.
All proceeds and contributions from the event directly benefit the Special Needs Foundation for Community Link. These funds allow the foundation to continue supporting Community Link’s mission, ensuring lasting impact both now and into the future.
Nights like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of generous sponsors. The Special Needs Foundation for Community Link sends thanks to Diamond sponsor Monken Toyota and the Jules Holthaus Family; Multi-Platinum sponsors FCBBANKS and The Gateway Group at Morgan Stanley; Platinum Sponsors Gelly Excavating & Construction, Banner Fire Equipment, Poettker Construction, Foppe Ace Hardware, Excel Bottling, Edward Jones-Aviston, and the Knights of Columbus - The Niemeyer Agency; as well as many Gold sponsors.
The Special Needs Foundation for Community Link is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 whose mission is to support developmentally disabled citizens served by Community Link, Inc. The purpose of the Foundation is to raise and grow funds to support the special needs of Community Link while preserving donation capital. For more information, please visit commlink.org/foundation.