For nearly 20 years, the STRIDE Program has served the community.

Lauren Mink Frazer, fundraising chair of STRIDE, said people should take the time to recognize what STRIDE, which works with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, does for the community.

“We used just to serve the adults of the community once they got out of high school just to fill that void that there wasn’t anything else for them to do in the community,” Frazer said. “We now serve all ages, provide therapy for all ages, one-on-one activities, respite for the families.”

Many people don’t realize, Frazer said, when a parent has a child with a disability, their plan is different.

The trajectory that the child will get their license at 16, graduate high school at 18 and go off to college or work isn’t there for parents of a child with a disability.

“It is a lifelong commitment that you are always going to be a caretaker,” Frazer said. “We’ve had so many parents that have brought their children to our program, and they were like, ‘I can go out and watch a movie with my husband and eat dinner and it not be an animated film.’ Or when we go and take our trips, they’re like, ‘We’re going to go somewhere for two nights by ourselves and stay somewhere.’

“That’s something they were never able to do before. That’s what I honestly feel like is a neat part of our program that, yes, we provide therapy and activities, but it’s just there for the families … I feel like it’s just a really neat community that we’ve created.”

STRIDE has continued to grow over the years in size as well as in the programs and activities it offers, and in doing so, must raise money year-round.

One of its biggest fundraisers is STRIDE’s Wild Game Dinner and Auction.

Frazer said the 2019 STRIDE Wild Game Dinner and Auction is June 28 at Stock Farm, 2490 Van Meter Road.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Dinner is at 7 p.m., with the 14th annual live auction to follow. Attendees can also bid on items in the silent auction. The silent auction begins June 24; bidders can download the Handbid app to bid on items before the event.

STRIDE already listed some items for viewing on the app, and Frazer said STRIDE will continue to post items for viewing up until the day of the auction. During the event, attendees can make bids on their phone while looking at the items.

“That’s a big thing this year for us,” Frazer said. “So we’re hoping Winchester is ready for it. I think it puts us on the next level to one, hopefully, make some more money from people that maybe are on vacation this summer and (or just) can’t make it out that night.”

Volunteers will also be available to help attendees make bids on an iPad for those who do not wish to use the app themselves, Frazer said.

Attendees can also purchase puzzle pieces — each is worth a specific dollar amount — on the Handbid app. Each puzzle piece acts as a way to donate to STRIDE’s 20th-anniversary trip.

“We are finally taking the leap and taking STRIDE to Disney World,” Frazer said. “So one thing we can do on this Handbid app is we can make a puzzle piece to where each puzzle pieces is worth so many dollar amounts. If you, for some reason, didn’t get an item that you wanted that night but still want to donate to this STRIDE program, you can buy a couple of those puzzle pieces to help us get a little bit closer to our goal for that trip.”

Some items up for bid in either the silent or live auction include a halter worn by Justify, a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the 13th and most recent winner of the American Triple Crown; a Missouri duck hunt donated by Pro Outfitters; a Pawleys Island vacation; a deer shoulder mount; University of Kentucky football tickets; Pittsburgh Steelers tickets; Cincinnati Bengals tickets; photography packages; a year’s worth of Happy Meals donated by the Healy family; tons of art and jewelry; an inquisitor spot on Hey Kentucky!; a bow hunting trip in Texas; Kansas City Chiefs tickets; Tennessee Titans tickets; and more.

“There’s something for everybody,” Frazer said.

Interested attendees can purchase tickets for $25 online or at the door.

“Your ticket, which is $25, includes dinner, and includes the ability to bid on the live and silent auction that night,” Frazer said. “And it includes drinks and just a fun night of music and hanging out with your friends. It is open seating. So make sure to kind of get there early if you want to sit with some friends. And it happens rain or shine.”

All proceeds benefit the children and adults with disabilities STRIDE serves.

This year the chef is Black Barn BBQ, a Nicholasville-based caterer and food trailer that makes traditional Kansas City style BBQ meats and sides.

Frazer said the menu, which usually aims to feed about 250 people, will feature duck pepper poppers; alligator bites; bison burnt ends featuring local bison meat from Blackfish Bison Ranch; gumbo with pheasant, quail and rabbit; and more.

If attendees aren’t interested in the wilder side of food, the dinner will also serve pulled pork barbecue and chicken thighs with some delicious sides, Frazer said.