DayOne agency touts gala fundraiser

DayOne Network, a nonprofit agency that provides services to children and adults with developmental delays and/or disabilities, is turning to local supporters once again to help raise money for services. While the number of children and adults who need DayOne's assistance increases and state funding decreases, DayOne, like other nonprofits, has a growing reliance on its annual fundraisers to fill in the gap.

On Saturday, March 20, DayOne is asking its supporters to "Look Into Your Heart" at its annual gala and auction at the Q Center, 1405 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25) in St. Charles. One hundred percent of the profits made from the evening will support the children and adults it serves. Tickets are still available at dayonenetwork.org. Tickets are $100 each or $750 for a table of 10.

In partnership with sponsors Argosy University, AT&T, and Stumm Insurance, DayOneNetwork is able to put on an event, that not only celebrates its special needs children and adults, but raise awareness and funds to continue the fight for the communities' most vulnerable.

DayOne Network started in 1989 with five employees and about 300 clients. Over the last 20 years, this number has risen to 3,132 children and adults with delays and disabilities each year. Of that number, 2,270 were infants and toddlers who used early intervention services. Subsequently, 21 percent of those infants did not need further special education after age three.

DayOne has a 90-percent success rate of all service requests submitted to the state for funding. In addition, 95 percent of those they serve gave a "very pleased" rating in the satisfaction survey. Finally, even with limited state funding increases, DayOne has risen to the challenge of providing services to 70 percent more clients from 2004 to the present.

Visit biddingforgood.com. to search for DayOneNetwork to bid on auction items before the event.

For more information, visit dayonenetwork.org or call (630) 879-2277.