Community Support Systems Receives Sizable Donation from Sur Family

(FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: PHYLLIS UTZ, DICK SUR AND ROSIE SUR; MIDDLE ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: MARLENE FEUERBORN AND ANITA CLARICOATES; THIRD ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: TOM UTZ AND LARRY SUR)

The family of Richard “Dick” Sur has donated $60,000 to Community Support Systems, the Teutopolis-based human service agency that provides an array of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Community Support Systems (CSS) has provided services to Richard “Dick” Sur since the early 1960s when his parents, Lawrence and Margaret Sur, enrolled their son in the newly-founded Achievement School, the very first CSS program.

In 1970, Dick entered the Developmental Work Activity program, known today as the Developmental Training Center. Dick continued to live at home with his family and attend the day program until 2000, when he chose to move into a home operated by CSS. Dick quickly came to love his new home and his CSS extended family quickly came to love him.

In 2008, CSS purchased a newly-constructed eight-bed duplex where Dick resides today. In appreciation of the gift provided by the Sur family, CSS dedicated the house to Dick and renamed the home the Richard “Dick” Sur house during a ceremony Saturday. Joining Dick at the dedication were all of his siblings; sisters, Phyllis Utz, Anita Claricoates and Marlene Feuerborn and his brother Larry Sur.

CSS Executive Director Andy Kistler commented, “The generosity of the Sur Family could not have come at a more opportune time. CSS is just months away from restructuring our residential program and these funds have launched our plans to implement bold and progressive changes. Our agency is humbled by the kindness shared by the Sur family. Their contribution will make a lasting impact upon the clients in our residential program.”

Larry Sur, speaking on behalf of the Sur family stated, “There are many reasons why we chose to contribute to Community Support Systems. Our brother, Dick, has received tender, loving care from the wonderful people at CSS and Dick truly feels “at home” in his house. We are hopeful that our gift will encourage others to support this worthwhile cause.”

The Sur House is one of four homes operated by CSS. In addition to 24-hour residential services, CSS provides intermittent residential support services to several other individuals who reside in their own homes throughout Effingham County. CSS employs over 50 staff members in its residential program.

For more information about the services offered at Community Support Systems visit their website at www.csscares.org