The Community Behind EPI's More Than You See

posted by Bethany Giachino on Tuesday, June 30, 2026

At EPI, we often talk about looking beyond first impressions and recognizing the value within every person. But after this year's More Than You See event, I was reminded that the message extends beyond individuals. This message applies to our community, too.

On June 18, a community of people gathered at River Place Plaza for an evening of music and inclusion at Exceptional Persons, Inc.'s annual More Than You See event. At first glance, the evening may have looked like a community concert, complete with dueling pianos, food trucks, lawn chairs, families, friends, and neighbors enjoying a beautiful summer night together. But as the event's name reminds us, there is always more than meets the eye.

During the evening, I asked an attendee what More Than You See meant to them. Their response stuck with me. They shared that the phrase is not just about looking beyond our first impressions of a person, but it's also about recognizing the community behind them.

I agreed, our community is certainly More Than You See. It is made up of people, businesses, organizations, families, and supporters whose impact is often unseen, but whose contributions help make everything possible.

We often share how we believe every person is more than what meets the eye. Each individual has unique strengths, talents, experiences, and spectacular backgrounds. We challenge ourselves to look beyond assumptions and learn what makes each person who they are.

The same can be said for our community.

Our sponsors are more than logos on a banner. Our volunteers are more than names on a signup sheet. Our donors are more than a contribution. Our staff are much more than employees. Each group behind us represents someone making a choice to build a more inclusive community in this place we call home.

When I welcomed guests to the event, I shared three reasons why we host More Than You See: to encourage people to look beyond first impressions, to create new connections, and to celebrate the importance of showing up for one another.

Looking around River Place Plaza that evening, those ideas came to life. We watched strangers become friends, families enjoy the evening together, volunteers work behind the scenes, sponsors invest in the mission, and attendees learn more about EPI and the people we support.

Most importantly, we saw a community showing up for one another.

That is what More Than You See is really about, it is about recognizing the value within every person. It is about discovering connections where we least expect them. And it is about understanding that meaningful change happens when a community comes together and chooses to care.

To the people we support, our sponsors, volunteers, donors, attendees, food trucks, River Place Plaza team, Howl2Go, EPI staff, and everyone who helped make this year's event possible, thank you.

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for believing in inclusion. Thank you for seeing the value within others.

Because in the end, More Than You See is not just the name of an event. It is a reminder that when we look a little deeper, we often discover people and communities that are capable of far more than we first imagined.