BCI Reaches Enters 3PL Market Through Bond of Brothers Cereal
The regional success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) at Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) has been well documented. The center employs 235 with I/DD and has supported 120 more into competitive employment across the St. Louis-Metropolitan area, which includes parts of Illinois and Missouri.
This month, the reach goes national as BCI becomes the official fulfillment center to ship out Bond of Brothers cereal (available at www.bondofbrotherscereal.com), which honors John and Matthew Gaudreau, the two hockey-star brothers tragically killed in 2024. Their emotional story was told on Good Morning America recently. The cereal is supporting the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, which is committed to helping youth hockey initiatives and supporting hockey families that have faced tragedy, as well as families that have been affected by drunk driving.
This opportunity was something BCI was looking into for the adults they employ as they create a world where disabilities are no longer barriers to achieving potential and purpose in meaningful work.
“This is the first time we’ve done online order fulfillment, and it’s something that has been in our mission plans for the future,” said Troy Compardo, BCI CEO. “Thankfully, we have a relationship with Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation and their CEO, Tom Welge. Tom found a way for us to work on this with Ty Ballou.”
BCI is also sending out boxes of cereal and bowls for Philadelphia Eagles star Cooper DeJean (www.coopscrunchcereal.com), and those orders are being shipped internationally. DeJean is working to raise money to support pediatric cancer patients in Iowa.
Ty Ballou of Ballou Sports & Entertainment may not be a household name, but his work on products and support for charities and foundations is recognized globally. Ballou made headlines with Flutie Flakes, helping former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie raise over $15 million for autism awareness. In recent years, he has worked with the last two MVPs, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and MLB MVP Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.
“I was inspired by the Gaudreau Brothers and their family to put together a cereal the brothers loved eating to help this incredible foundation,” Ballou said. “The work at BCI is equally inspiring. Their mission, their success stories not only fall in line with the mission of these incredible, selfless athletes, but run parallel with everything I’ve tried to accomplish in my career.”
While the products always helped others through charities and foundations, Ballou started his non-profit organization, Ballou Skies, focused on raising funds and awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Through its partnership with Ballou, BCI’s team is handling the labeling and distribution of the cereals, including inventory management and shipping logistics. The project provides meaningful employment opportunities while allowing BCI to expand its operational capabilities in 3PL services.
BCI provides employment and skill-building opportunities for adults with disabilities. Its organizational employment program, operating as BCI Packaging, employs 185 individuals in St. Peters, Missouri, offering hands-on experience in packaging, assembly, and fulfillment services for a variety of clients. Projects like Band of Brothers Cereal allow BCI to combine meaningful employment with real-world business operations.
These connections are not lost on Compardo, who said, “This new work is significant for our team. It’s our first full 3PL operation, and we’re grateful for the chance to pack and ship these products, each tied to such meaningful missions.”