During the weekly Chamber Coffee Thursday, Tri-Valley Developmental Services provided an update on the services they provide to Bourbon and neighboring counties as well as upcoming events and fundraisers they are holding this spring.

The non-profit organization began in 1975 with families interested in providing services to those with disabilities that hinder them from participating in the community, when their only option was to stay with family members or go to the state hospital.

Since that beginning, Tri-Valley has served Bourbon, Neosho, Woodson and Allen counties by providing services to those individuals through transportation, day services, residential care, employment services, horticultural therapy and case management.

Executive Director Tim Cunningham said they currently serve more than 200 people across the four counties.

“We’re involved in every aspect, 24/7, of the people we serve’s lives,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said their organization has faced financial difficulties because of the economy, which led to cuts in their budget and number of employees. But they continue to provide services with help from fundraisers such as their upcoming, 3^rd annual Cruise Night Event, April 12, with will include dinner and prizes as well as live and silent auctions for $45 a ticket. Their goal is to raise $25,000 that evening.

Tri-Valley is also selling $50 raffle tickets for a drawing on June 24^th, when they will be giving away a 2016 Ford F-150 Platinum. The funds from each of the fundraisers will go towards sponsoring homes Tri-Valley provides.

“We definitely appreciate everything that you guys do in the community,” coffee hostess Gina Shelton said.

Other announcements included:

• The Knights of Columbus will be hosting their final fish fry of the Lent season Friday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Kennedy Gym.
• The Pioneer Kiwanis will host an Easter egg hunt at Gunn Park Saturday, with the hunt starting at 11 a.m.
• On Good Friday, the Life Point Assembly of God church will host a service in partnership with other area churches, while an Easter sunrise service will be held at the downtown gazebo.
• The 2^nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas will be held in Fort Scott, April 8-9, with numerous hands-on activities available as well as guest speakers.
• The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes continues to sell bricks for $100 each for a fundraiser for the Unsung Heroes Park located next door to the new building. The names of sponsors will be engraved on those bricks which will be placed in the park.