For the clients of Warren County Handicapped Services, interacting in person means a lot, and staff at the nonprofit feel the same way. The near-quarantine of COVID-19 has been hard for both groups, said Executive Director Kelli Clodfelter.

That’s why Handicapped Services volunteers hosted a drive-thru visit with games and food at Alpha Academy in Warrenton June 6. Clients were greeted enthusiastically with water squirters to spray volunteers, bean bags to play cornhole from the passenger seat of their cars, a barbecue dinner and a gift basket tailored for each person.

“We’ve not been able to do any of the outings for Discovery or Stars (activity programs) or Special Olympics since the start of COVID-19,” Clodfelter said. “We decided to get creative, start thinking outside the box about ways we could be face-to-face, have that interaction and not just meet virtually.”

Since shutting down in March, Clodfelter said Handicapped Services has gradually reopened its day program to less than a third of its clients at a time. But monthly events for children and adults with special needs have not resumed, she said.

Summer Special Olympics games have also been canceled, Clodfelter said. This would normally be the time when the team is practicing for the games, but the Missouri Special Olympics organizers haven’t been able to set a date for any games.

“We’re hoping toward the end of the summer we can put on a big softball tournament, and get parents and coaches to play, and have teams of the athletes and us all playing each other and have a big blowout,” Clodfelter commented. “They’re used to having really big deals during the summer. ... All of that’s kind of been yanked this year.”

Organizers are planning a parade on June 20 to visit the homes of Special Olympics athletes, she added. There will also be a Fourth of July fireworks show for clients as either a drive-in or outdoor seating, as well as a day camp in the last two weeks of July.

“We’re going to find ways that we can get things to these guys, talk, and let them know that we miss them and we’re thinking about them,” Clodfelter said.

Rich Black, director of development and special events, said the only other event on the roster is a leadership weekend scheduled for August for older clients.

“We’re really focusing on getting them being able to go out and do speeches,” Black explained. “Get them out in the community so they can learn to talk for themselves about what Warren County Handicapped Services does.”

If anyone is available to assist in Handicapped Services’ mission, Black said the organization is always looking for volunteer coaches.

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, Handicapped Services continues progress on plans to build a new center at Dry Fork Road and Highway 47.

Clodfelter said the organization has tax credits available to exchange for contributions to the building project, and is looking for businesses who want to support their mission of serving community members with special needs.