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Down Syndrome Association of San Antonio • 2800 NW Loop 410 • San Antonio, TX 78230 • 210-349-4372
Volume 12, Issue 4
OCTOBER 2010
What’s
inside...
Executive Director ..............1
Annual Holiday Party ........1 Buddy Walk 2010 ................2
Playgroup ............................3 2011 DSA Calendar ............3 Outreach ..............................4 Teen Club ............................4 Support Groups ..................5 Meet Aaron ..........................6 Adult Matters! ....................6 Educational ........................7
www.dsasa.org
Downs KEEPING UP WITH
Message from Terri Mauldin ... One again, the Buddy Walk on September 25th was a huge success! It is hard to believe that this was our 10th year! We had over 4,000 participants join us at Heroes Stadium as we celebrated the lives of those with Down syndrome whom we love with a lot of enthusiasm, joy, and style! Thank you to all the volunteers, donors, families, and the DSA staff for making the Buddy Walk so successful. Please take a minute to read all about the great events within this newsletter. During the past few months, we have had quite a number of things going on for the Down syndrome community, as well as the DSA. Our monthly social activities continue to bring many children and adults together along with their families. Please watch your emails and mailboxes for reminders of upcoming events and be sure to call or email the DSA office to RSVP for all our events. On Wednesday, Oct. 6th, President Obama signed into law “Rosa’s Law”. This law will change references in federal law from mental retardation to intellectual disability, and references to a mentally retarded individual to an individual with an intellectual disability. This is a huge accomplishment for those we love with Down syndrome, and I would like to thank all the families that wrote letters to their respective representatives to help get this law passed. Congratulations to all of you! On Saturday, Oct. 9th, the 1st Annual Hoot N Holler event was held in New Braunfels at Freiheit Country Store. This wonderful fundraising event
helped raise funds for the New Braunfels branch, so that we may expand to help support all the families in Comal and Guadalupe counties. I want to thank Stephanie Anderson for all Terri Mauldin her hard work along with her terrific committee of friends. They sure know how to put on a party and raise money for a great cause! We can’t wait for next year’s event! We have added another board member to the DSA Board of Directors! Dennis Johnson joined the board in August and will serve as a member at large. Dennis works for the Army Residence Community and has been an active volunteer with Special Olympics. He has a true passion for those with Down syndrome, so we are extremely excited that he has chosen to help the DSA as a board member! Welcome, Dennis! Please plan to join us on Tuesday, December 21st for the annual DSA Holiday Party at La Villita Assembly Hall. We will have food, drinks, music, visits with Santa, and raffle prizes. Be sure and mark your calendar! Have you ever considered making a donation to the Down Syndrome Association? If so, we make it really easy by accepting donations through our website, http://www.dsasa.org/e-donation.cfm. Thank you for your support!
Meet Your Board ................7 Looking Ahead ....................8 News & Notes ......................9 Kid Connection ..................9 Pool Your Pennies ............10 Contributions....................10 Who We Are ......................11 Calendar of Events ............12
Annual Holiday Party!
Please join us for the annual DSA Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 21 • 6 - 8 p.m. La Villita Assembly Building (main floor) • 401 Villita, San Antonio, TX 78205 FREE parking will be provided with a parking ticket which is available at the DSA office. We have planned a wonderful evening including a barbeque meal, as well as hot dogs for the kids. Santa will be there to hear what’s on your holiday wish list. Our incredible DJ will be there, as well, so make sure to wear your dancing shoes. Due to the late date of this year’s event, we will NOT be accepting unwrapped toys; however, we are hoping each family will donate one special toy directly to Elf Louise or Blue Santa. Pictures will be taken with Santa and available for purchase through the DSA website. Please RSVP by December 10th with the number of adults and children that will be attending to Nana Knowles at 210-349-4372 or email nknowles@dsasa.org. We appreciate your timely RSVP, as we must confirm the number of meals being catered. You must make arrangements to pick up or request us to mail your parking ticket prior to Friday, Dec. 17th.
We hope to see you there!