DOWNright Awesome BUDDY WALK 2024!

Registration for our DOWNright Awesome Buddy Walk on October 19th is open now! When you register before Thursday, October 3, before 5pm, you will receive a complimentary T-shirt on the day of the Walk.

This year, we will have a parade (decorated wagons and costumes welcome!), a DJ, photo booth, bocce ball, face painting, games and crafts, our Benefit Raffle, and more!

Please refer to the special email you received on August 16th for lots more information, and contact your Director, Anne Marie, if you have any questions or need help registering.

Emcee and Non-speaking Demonstration Roles

Any member with Down syndrome who would like to be an emcee for our Buddy Walk opening program or help in a non-speaking demonstration role is welcome! Contact Anne Marie to volunteer no later than September 15th.

Benefit Raffle Items Needed!

We need your help finding raffle items. Our raffle is a super-popular activity AND a great fundraiser. Could you ask a few businesses you patronize, friends with businesses, or friends who make top-quality handicrafts to donate something to be raffled off to help enhance the things we offer our membership? Contact Jen Jewell to help with soliciting a few raffle items!

Fern Wise Update

Fern is in a 5-7 week chemotherapy course in Scotland with her mother Heather by her side. When Fern's immune system can handle the trip home, her treatment will continue in the USA over the course of the next two years. Meanwhile, her brothers Cypress and Sylvan are home in the care of close friends and family. As you can imagine, their resources are being tapped at many levels. An undetermined stay in a foreign healthcare system, without assurance of insurance coverage, is a strain on their resources. A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the House/Wise family if you are so inclined.

Additionally, below is an updated address for Fern as well as one for her brothers. They report that "The well-spring of support from a loving community in the form of cards, gifts, prayers and presence in so many forms has been heartwarming and greatly appreciated."

Visit our website calendar and bookmark it for easy reference!

Board of Directors Changes

Former Board President John Moses-Brownson has moved to North Carolina. While he has stepped down from the Presidency, he has agreed to continue to serve in a remote capacity at this time, for which we are deeply grateful. Thank you, John!

Eric Ulsh has taken on the job of Board President. We appreciate his willingness to serve in a leadership role.

Both Katie Feliz and Krista Wilkinson will be concluding their Board service at the end of this month. We will miss the wealth of knowledge these two exceptional leaders brought to CRDSS. Thank them for their dedicated service when you see them next!

If you have ever considered becoming a board member, CRDSS needs you. We typically meet once a month (with no meeting in December), and board members are encouraged to use their special skills and connections to support the organization. While a term of board service is 2 years, you may stay on the board for 3 terms. 6 years is the maximum amount of time a board member may serve before taking at least a 1-year break.

Please reach out to Eric Ulsh to discuss your interest further!

Enrichment Fund Changes

As our wonderful Enrichment Fund program becomes ever more popular, the Board, of necessity, has approved some changes that you should know about:

In July, 2024, the Board of Directors amended the approval policy to strongly encourage Enrichment Fund applicants to volunteer your time at one of our events or make a donation to one or more of our fundraising efforts throughout the year. Your participation is needed to continue to offer all that we do for our members and their families.

Extenuating circumstances, such as illness or family hardship, will be considered. Please reach out to the Director or the Board President if you have a question or a concern.

Centre Region Down Syndrome Society is a vibrant, hands-on organization

that provides individuals who have Down syndrome and their families

the tools, resources, and support necessary to participate in, contribute to,

and achieve personal health and fulfillment.

Centre Region Down Syndrome Society

www.centreregiondownsyndrome.org

Anne Marie Rodgers, Director

annemarie@centreregiondownsyndrome.org