Whoever thinks the Lake slows down in the fall is not paying attention. Sure the weather cools and there are fewer visitors, but the community stays busy supporting local causes: fall is the time for charity events!
On deck: the 7th annual Sudsy Supper.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, at Lake Valley Country Club, guests will enjoy dinner from well-known local Chef Joseph Cope (formerly JJ’s at the Copper Pot), beverages from Demolition Brewery, a silent auction, and a split-the-pot drawing, with proceeds going to Lake Area Industries.
The Camdenton Rotary Club chooses a nonprofit to support every two years, and its members chose LAI from among three finalists. In past years the club has supported organizations like Lake Area Needs Initiative and Young Life.
“Every day, in our communities and around the world, our neighbors face tough challenges,” the club said. “[Our] members recognize Lake Area Industries, Inc. as a strong partner to support economic opportunities in our local community for those with differing abilities.”
LAI was established in 1983 and operates as a sheltered workshop serving adults with disabilities. The nonprofit provides meaningful work through contract packaging, assembly, recycling services, offsite work crews, and its greenhouse, Gifted Gardens — where mums are currently for sale.
The money raised from Sudsy Supper will go toward purchasing a newer box truck fitted with a liftgate. The truck would replace aging vehicles; make it easier for staff members to pick up packaging, shredding, and recycling work; and could be driven by more staff members without requiring a special license.
Employees at LAI assemble fishing poles and tackle boxes, package products, handle secure document destruction, recycle cardboard and dock foam, and take part in offsite teams around the community. Those teams help with a variety of tasks ranging from cleaning stables at Missouri Forget-Me-Not Horse Rescue & Sanctuary to running the food counter at the Missouri Trap Shooting Association.
LAI Executive Director Natalie Couch estimates the truck and liftgate will cost about $75,000. Less than half of that has been raised so far.
“It’s hard to make a profit to begin with,” Couch said of LAI. “So it takes a really long time to come up with $75,000 to replace an asset like that, especially with this building project that we have going on.”
Support LAI by attending the Sudsy Supper Saturday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m., at 367 CC Blair Dr in Camdenton. Limited tickets are available here for $100.
The truck is only one piece of a much larger expansion underway at LAI. The nonprofit is planning a major project that would build a new recycling center and improve both working conditions and recycling capacity for its 60 employees with disabilities.
The project would move dock foam recycling fully indoors, add climate-controlled space, and install a safer horizontal cardboard baler with a feed conveyor, allowing LAI to process up to four times more cardboard from local businesses and residents.
To help fund the project, LAI was awarded $349,562 in 70% Missouri Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits and is seeking business partners to utilize the remaining credits over the next three years. Innovative Procurement has already contributed a $10,000 NAP-eligible donation toward the effort.
(Individuals or businesses interested in the NAP tax credits may contact Natalie Couch at director@lakeareaindustries.org or 573-346-7934 to learn more.)
Couch, who has been with LAI for nearly 10 years, said one of the biggest challenges is maintaining aging facilities and equipment while continuing to bring in enough work for employees.
“They want to be here,” Couch said. “They love coming to work and feeling proud of what they’re accomplishing and feeling like they’re part of their community.”
LAI serves as what Couch calls an “employment safety net” for adults with disabilities. Employees have flexible schedules, with the full schedule running just under 30 hours a week, and can work at their own pace. Staff members adapt jobs to employees’ abilities, using tools like grids for counting or breaking an assembly process into individual steps.
On his first day of work, one employee told his mom that he would rather stay home playing video games. That employee went on to become employee of the year during his first year at LAI. Today, Couch said he has grown into one of LAI’s top performers, able to work in various areas including recycling, equipment, assembly, and offsite tasks.
“Everybody is different, and everybody has something to offer,” Couch said. “So it’s just a matter of identifying what it is they like to do and excel at, and putting that to use.”
That mission is part of what drew the Rotary Club to LAI. Some employees use LAI to build experience and eventually move into competitive employment. Others stay long term — including one employee who has been there nearly 40 years — because the supportive environment is the best fit.
The box truck is one way Rotary hopes to help LAI support more employees and expand its capacity for the future.
“Camdenton Rotarians mobilize other leaders and experts to take action and see it through, and Natalie is doing just that,” the club said. “We are excited to support LAI’s mission for a new box truck this year and into next.”
Don’t miss Sudsy Supper on Oct. 10 at Lake Valley Country Club! Enjoy an evening out while helping support Lake Area Industries and its goal. Buy tickets here.
Missouri businesses interested in supporting LAI’s larger expansion through NAP tax credits can contact Natalie Couch at director@lakeareaindustries.org or 573-346-7934 to learn more.
CAMDENTON, Mo. — Every person deserves the dignity of a good day’s work. Since 1983, Lake Ar…
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