Tri-Valley Developmental Services, a local provider of social services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, has begun a new marketing plan.

“We don’t tell enough of all the good things we do,” Executive Director Tim Cunningham told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees Thursday morning.

“A lot of people don’t know we are a one-stop shop for services they could need,” he continued.  ” A lot of people don’t know we strive to make people as independent as possible. A lot of people move people, we keep them in their hometown.”

Cunningham said TVDS started in 1974 and has been in Fort Scott since 1977.

They currently serve 53 individuals at the facility at 4305 Campbell Drive in Fort Scott’s Industrial Park.

Cunningham introduced Barb McCord who is the horticulture therapist at the facility, which houses a greenhouse.

McCord told the attendees there will be no auction fundraiser this year because it happens every other year and this is an off year, but she will be having a one day sale of plants in May.

Additionally, plants raised in the greenhouse were offered as a gift, one per person, when the attendees departed the coffee social.

Cunningham said the annual Cruise Nite in Chanute has a goal to raise $25,000 this year, to provide homes for people with disabilities.

The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are Greg Motley, chairman; Needleman, past chairman;  Gina Shelton, finance chair; Geoff Southwell, chairman-elect business, and resource division Chair; Alysia Johnston, workforce development division chair; David Lipe, grassroots division chair.