Celebrating Community Connections

by Nicola Burnell

Since October, 1985, Community Connections has been working to fulfill its vision of being "a thriving, unified organization in which all people are active, involved and empowered".

Founded by current President Donna Sabecky, Community Connections serves Massachusetts' South Coast and South Shore, with locations in Mashpee and South Yarmouth on Cape Cod.

The agency offers it's over 675 clients service programs which include day habilitation, life skills, employment services, elder services, individualized nursing home supports, and transportation services to individuals with disabilities.

The Gala by the Sea, which was held on October 4, 2013, at Wequassett Resort in Chatham, was an evening of fun and philanthropy to benefit Community Connections.

The fundraiser featured a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and live auction, hosted by award-winning auctioneer, Kathy Kingston.

Corporate sponsors for the event included Rogers & Gray Insurance, Cape Destinations, Cape Cod Five, HUB International, Gilberti & Associates, PC. Heritage Print Solutions, Yarmouth Wine & Spirits, Full Spectrum Music, and Chatham Candy Manor provided generous in-kind donations.

Businesses throughout the region donated items and gift certificates for the silent auction.

Nicola Burnell is the Publisher, Editor and a contributing writer for this magazine. In addition to writing her own novels, she teaches a series of Writing, Creativity Development and Personal Growth Classes. She also works as a freelance editor and writing coach.

Nicola is a member in Letters of the National League of American Pen Women and is Historian of the Cape Cod Branch.

She strives to support the Arts on Cape Cod and collaborates with several cultural organizations in her community.

Nicola lives in Harwich with her two sons and several pets.

The Mission of Community Connections is to "provide the highest quality services and opportunities to people with disabilities" to help them realize their personal potential and live empowered lives as independently as possible.

Gala attendees viewed a heartwarming video demonstrating how Community Connections' services and therapies have improved the quality of life of the adults served.

When one board member spoke to about the value therapy has played in all our lives at one time or another, she was joined at the podium by one of the adults Community Connections serves. She spoke about how physical therapy has improved her balance and allows her to work more effectively and credits Community Connections and her therapist for improving the quality of her life.

If you would like to become a volunteer, or support the programs and services of Community Connections, please call 800-308-1321 or visit www.CommunityConnectionsInc.org.