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Saturday, June 6, Beyond Limits: an
all-abilities event was held at the Eagles Lodge in Lincoln as a
fundraiser to support Heart & Flour Equal Needs Bakery and The
Together Table Foundation. Throughout the day, many people showed up
for the event.
Activities included breakfast, lunch and dinner, a cruising beyond
limits pub crawl, beyond limits car show and musical entertainment
by the Mississippi Leg Hounds. There were also door prizes, a 50/50
drawing, silent auction items and raffle baskets.
Heart & Flour Equal Needs Bakery was started by Kelly Jo Carter. Her
website says the bakery was inspired by her granny’s love of baking
and is “here to support individuals with disabilities and autism,
providing them with a space where they can gain independence, build
community and experience the joy of meaningful work.”
Several individuals with
disabilities are employees at the bakery. During the school year,
students from nearby schools also helped bake and serve various
items. At the event, Heart & Flour was selling baked goods like
cinnamon rolls, fruit filled Danishes, brownies and chocolate chip
cookies.
As the foundation’s handout says, “the Together Table Foundation was
created from a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to
learn, contribute and thrive.” Their mission is “to set the standard
for inclusive environments where individuals with disabilities
receive real-world training, leading to sustainable employment and
meaningful community participation.”
To fulfill the mission, the
Together Table Foundation has an employee readiness program,
business partnerships, community connections, volunteer
opportunities and workplace inclusion.
These programs are intended to provide “experiences that help
participants develop workplace skills, confidence, and independence”
and help “employers create welcoming and accessible workplaces
through training, resources and inclusive hiring practices.” Their
workplace inclusion supports “long-term success through job
coaching, on-the-job support, and continuous growth opportunities.”
Around noon, several jeeps headed out to cruise Mt. Pulaski, Elkhart
and Copper and Oak before heading back to the Eagles Lodge for the
evening.
At the beyond limits car show,
there were a variety of vehicles as old as a 1957 Chevy Belair and
as new as a 2024 Chevy Corvette. Other vehicles included a 1991
Cadillac, 1959 Edsel, 1969 Chevy, 2011 Chevy Camaro, 2018 Jeep, 1994
Sierra GMC truck, 2007 Shelby GT 500, 1993 Ford Mustang, 1969 F400,
1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, 1989 Chrysler TC, 1977 Chevy Camaro, 1967
Ford Mustang and a 1968 Chevy Impala. One interesting entry was an
All-terrain vehicle with very large wheels and Godzilla’s face on
the front.
John and Denise McQuinn brought
their restored 1965 Chevy Chevelle Malibu. The car was used daily
from 1965 to 1971 then used in races at local drag strips from 1971
to 1979. From 1979 to 2008, it was stored at various places. In
2008, they began restoring the car and in September 2017, it was
driven on the street for the first time in many years and was
entered in a Route 66 car show in Springfield.
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Among the silent auction items were
a handcrafted American flag made by Chad Ollis, a Brown Farms
American Wagyu meat bundle, a wheelbarrow full of drinks and snacks,
a handmade quilt by Marsha Hurley and a patriotic metal sign donated
by Patty Birk and Verl Prather.
Items in the basket raffle included
a voucher for a one hour full body massage by Lizzy Rees of Verdant
Salon, a hand truck donated by Precision Products, plastic
containers donated by the Rotary Club of Lincoln, a bloody Mary
basket donated by Verl Prather, a coffee cravings basket donated by
T’s Barber shop, a wine and dine basket with a Bella Trattoria gift
certificated donated by Bella Trattoria and Wal-Mart.
Other basket raffle items were a
grillin’ and chillin’ basket donated by Stag-R-Inn and Wal-Mart,
Smokey Sips basket donated by Prairieland Title, a game night fun
basket donated by Heartland Bank and Trust, a lucky locks basket and
$50 gift certificate donated by Experience Beauty Bar, Rios and
Rita’s basket and $25 gift certificate donated by Rio Grande and
Wal-Mart, snazzy snacks basket donated by Abe’s Caramel Corn, a
Mystic Greenz basket and merchandise voucher, a St. Louis Cardinal’s
figurine donated by Jami May and a shots and tops basket with a $25
gift certificate from Copper and Oak.
The last table of items had a feeling lucky basket of lottery
tickets donated by Michelle Bauer of Country Companies, $50 gift
certificate donated by Chicago Street Rentals, a Delicious Del’s
basket of goodies donated by ME Realty, a voucher for a conceal
carry class by Top Gun Firearm training, a handmade trinket basket
by Mike Watkins and Sip and Savor Basket donated by Sue Stumpf of
Envision Unlimited.
Stumpf had a table with handouts
about Envision Unlimited, which focuses on improving the lives of
people with disabilities and expanding the available programs and
services.
One handout described the host family program which is “similar to
foster care” as it “pairs eligible Envision Unlimited adult members
with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) with host
families so members may live in the community in a private home and
enjoy choice, independence, inclusion and community involvement.”
Stumpf says they have the program in the Chicago area and she is
hoping to get the program going in this area.
The final events of the day included announcement of the silent
auction winner, raffle basket drawing and musical entertainment by
the Mississippi Leg Hounds. Their musical genres include classic
rock, pop, country and blues from various eras, providing a blend of
many different styles on their setlist.
The money raised at the event will
help launch the Together Table Foundation and begin offering
programs to change lives plus expand their reach so that everyone
has a seat at the table. As Kelly Jo says, “every dollar brings us
closer to creating a world where inclusion isn’t just a word—it’s
something you can see taste and feel in our bakery every day.”
For more information on ways to get involved by becoming a
volunteer, partnering as a business, sponsor a program, donate or
advocate for inclusion, check out the Together Table Foundation
website or
email togethertablefoundation@gmail.com.
Beyond Limits fundraiser photo slideshow
[Angela Reiners] |
