The noteworthy contributions of three individuals who are changing lives with their tireless efforts to benefit individuals with disabilities across St. Charles County will be celebrated Saturday, February 29th at Community Living Inc.’s 20th Annual Legacy Ball. During the gala event, Community Living supporters Dan and Julie Dozier will receive Community Living’s Legacy Award, while Mike Elam will be presented with the organization’s Community Volunteer of the Year Award. The St. Charles Convention Center will once again host the event, with the evening’s festivities kicking off at 5:30 p.m. and featuring a four-course wine dinner, live and silent auctions, followed by dancing to live music provided by My Friend Mike. Proceeds from the Legacy Ball, which is one of St. Charles County’s premier gala events, will benefit the more than 1,100 individuals and their families who are served by Community Living.
Dan and Julie Dozier have been selected to receive Community Living’s Legacy Award based on their unwavering support of people with disabilities in the greater St. Charles County community. Dan and Julie, both retired, served 31 years in public education and now lend their time and talents to the St. Charles community. Julie is consistently volunteering at the Mahon Center and assisting with many fundraisers that support Community Living, Inc. Together, Dan and Julie own two renovated accessible homes providing a quality living environment for eight Community Living, Inc. clients. Dan has always been an advocate for children and adults in need. He has served on the board of directors for the St. Charles County YMCA, the Cooperating School Districts (CSD), the St. Charles County United Way, and the City of St. Charles Economic Development Commission. Dan is currently the longest serving member of the St. Charles County Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, DDRB. Through his 20 years of service to the board, he has helped leverage tax dollars to create equity investment programs supporting agencies, individual case management services based in St. Charles County for clients and families, facilities for the DDRB staff and county agencies and effectively distributed more than 10 million dollars of tax revenue annually to 37 agencies providing services to St. Charles County citizens with developmental disabilities.
Together Dan and Julie have four children. Their second son, Joseph Gerard, now 30, has a developmental disability but is thriving thanks to the support of family, friends and programs offered by agencies throughout the community. He is currently attending the Community Living, Inc. day program at the Mahon Center.
Mike Elam will receive Community Living’s Community Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his tremendous dedication to supporting the St. Charles community and people with disabilities. Mike is recognized as “the Voice of St. Charles!” Whether it’s a chamber event, a County Council meeting or volunteering his time for one of many charitable causes in the County, there’s a good chance people will see Mike around. Some organizations and events Mike has been a part of include: Mayor’s Charity Ball, Disabled Athletes Sports Association, Greater St. Charles Chamber Santa Dash, Streets of St. Charles Street Run, MO Cowbell, St. Charles Realtors Association Gala, St. Charles City-County Library Foundation Gala, O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and Industries Firecracker Run (4th of July). He is a cheerleader for St. Charles County every day. Mike and his patient wife, Jennifer, reside in Dardenne Prairie and are the proud parents of three children.
“Over the past two decades, The Legacy Ball has become a highly anticipated event that plays a vital role in helping our organization continue to enrich the lives of people with disabilities in St. Charles County,” said Barb Griffith, President and CEO of Community Living, Inc. “As we prepare to host our 20th annual gala, we look forward to celebrating that milestone along with the incredible contributions of Dan and Julie Dozier & Mike Elam, whose leadership and advocacy are positively impacting so many in our community.”
Legacy Ball tickets, sponsorships and advertising opportunities are available at http://bidpal.net/legacyball2020. Tickets can be purchased for $150. Tables seat ten. For more information or questions about the Legacy Ball, please contact Molly Renken, Special Events Coordinator, at (636) 387-5530 or mrenken@communitylivingmo.org.
Community Living, Inc.
Community Living works to enrich the lives of people with disabilities so they can achieve their highest potential. We do this this by providing children and adults with services and programs that allow them to live, learn and work in our community. In turn, they make our community inclusive, diverse and a better place to live.
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For more information, contact:
Julie Hauser
(314) 436-9090