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www.DSFFlorida.org
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Click here if you want to be featured in our monthly newsletter
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We are on a ROLL!
Thank you for all of your dedication!
Let's keep it up!
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The numbers are in and we are excited to announce that our TERRIFIC TUESDAY was a great success! Including the match, we raised a total of $44,000! Thank you, Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation, Inc. for being our generous donor!
We are so grateful to our teams and donors for believing in our mission and helping us raise the money we need to continue to strike down barriers to inclusion!
THANK YOU!
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Let's ride this wave of excitement
right up to $500,000 by 2/19/23!
Your participation funds our scholarships and programs (see what's happening in February below)
LET'S GO!!!
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Here's how you can participate: |
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We want to help you TURN UP THE HEAT as you ask your friends and family to participate!
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- Donors will receive one entry to the random drawing for every $25 donated between 2/1 - 2/8 at 8 pm.
- Team captains will receive one entry to the random drawing for every $100 their team raises between 2/1 - 2/8 at 8 pm.
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🎳 Click here to register your team
🎳 Click here to donate to a team
🎳 Click here for more information about our Tour of Champions Bowl-a-Thon
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Need more help? Click on the links below for our tutorial videos!
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The first 40 Bowl-a-Thon teams that raise $1000 will be given a HIGH-FIVE Experience at our Magic of Inclusion / World Down Syndrome Celebration(3/21)!
Teams, keep up the great work and get the ball rolling for your chance to win this awesome prize!
Need to set up a team? Want to donate? Want to cheer on the magic of inclusion? Click on the links below!
🎳 Click here to register your team
🎳 Click here to donate to a team
🎳 Click here for more information about our Tour of Champions Bowl-a-Thon
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All teams that raise $2,500 and up will receive a grant from the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida for up to $1,000 to use towards registration for the National Down Syndrome Congress's Annual Convention in Orlando July 20-23!
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Sunday, February 19, 2023
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center
10749 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32817
$500 entry donation required per TEAM (up to five bowlers)
This includes any funds raised by TEAM MEMBERS.
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DID YOU KNOW...
You don't have to be at the Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center to make a difference!
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Virtual bowling teams are welcome and qualify for all of our prizes! If you are not in town, live out of town, or simply don't want to bowl, but you believe in our mission, benefit from our programs or simply want to show your support for The FOUNDATION - you can set up a virtual team to help us reach our $500,000 goal! |
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Check out all of the amazing items that were in our 2022 Auction! We can't wait to reveal the 2023 items next week! |
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Say HELLO to some of our iCan! Work members! |
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Meet some of our iCan! Work members: Clarissa, Tom, Vincent, and Evan. All work at different places but all have meaningful employment within their community. We are so thankful for Orlando Health , White Castle , Quality One Wireless LLC, and Levy Restaurants for supporting inclusion and hiring our members.
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Did you know that since fall of 2021 our work program has helped 9 members find employment? Our iCan! Work program provides paid On-The-Job-Training and Success Coaches to help our members and the employer as needed.
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Our vision at The FOUNDATION is to create an environment where individuals with Down syndrome are included in every facet of the community, not just for the benefit of the individual or as an act of charity, but because inclusiveness makes each classroom, business, sports team and community organization a better place for everyone!
Do you want to set your son/daughter up for success? We are currently hiring!
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Join us for Galentine's Day as we celebrate the power of friendship and sisterhood!
When: Saturday, February 11
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Location: World of Chocolate
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Lucky Littles and Young Explorers |
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Calling all Lucky Littles and Young Explorers! Join us at our FAMILY FUN ZONE during our Tour of Champions Bowl-a-Thon!
When: Sunday, February 19, 2023
Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center
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Down Syndrome Innovations Conference |
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We are excited to be a sponsor for this year's Down Syndrome Innovations Conference. Come join us to hear dynamic practitioners, therapists, educators, and advocates share inspiration & present innovative solutions to improve the health, cognition, behavior, and development of individuals with Down syndrome. Experts will share: |
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- math strategies
- sleep techniques
- cognitive coaching
- nutritional therapies
- integration of reflexes
- neurodevelopmental tips
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Plus you might have an opportunity to meet country music singer, Rory Feek, who is hosting the conference on his property, and/or Rachel Coleman!
The FOUNDATION wants to help you attend and is offering scholarships. To apply for a scholarship you need to complete our scholarship application by 1/11. Once you hear back from us you will then register. If you have questions please contact Camille.Gardiner@dsfflorida.org.
Click here to learn more about Rory Feek and his journey.
Click here to apply for a scholarship.
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Come be a part of The FOUNDATION's newest social network for siblings who are 21 and older - The 221 Network. Join us for an afternoon of fun - playing pickleball with friends!
When: Sunday, February 26
Time: 3 pm-5 pm
Location: Red Bug Lake Park, 3600 Red Bug Lake Road, Casselberry, 32707
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Is it all sugar and spice and everything nice? Let's talk about it!
When: Tuesday, February 28
Time: 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Location: online, a Zoom link will be sent after registration.
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Magic Games - Volunteers needed! |
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When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Location: Amway Center
The MAGIC is back! Join our amazing group of volunteers and STAFF and help make our iCan! Work program a magical success!
Our members will deliver meals on the Club level to VIP guests. In addition to being a FUN time for all who participate, this is a great opportunity to come out and volunteer with your son/daughter and give them the opportunity to check out one of our iCan! Work locations. Cheer on the home team while making a difference with The FOUNDATION!
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Neurodevelopmental Approach
with Kay Ness
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Kay Ness will return to Orlando from March 6-11
For over 60 years, the neurodevelopmental approach to working with learning, mobility, speech, language, processing, and attention problems, has been offering hope to parents of children who have received a variety of labels.
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This program has helped many children with various learning abilities make advancements in academic gains, sensory issues, behavior modification, and other areas through the innovative and personalized programs by Kay Ness.
People trained in the neurodevelopmental approach look at the causes, train the parents to work with their child at home to address the problems and also accelerate academics to help the child catch up. By addressing root causes of learning and developmental challenges, Kay has guided many families to help their loved ones reach levels of achievement that were thought impossible.
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Inclusion Champion of the Year
We are looking for teachers who go above and beyond to provide the inclusion experience for students! Whether that is a football coach, math teacher, or theater teacher- we are looking for someone who values the belief that ALL children learn from each other.
On 3/21 at our Magic Night of Inclusion we will be awarding: Inclusion Champion of the Year Award. This individual will be recognized on the court at half time for their tremendous devotion to inclusion education.
The Inclusion Champion of the Year will be awarded: $321 dollars, a Pizza party for his/her class, Trophy, and 2 FREE tickets to the Magic vs. Wizard game on 3/21.
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Join Our Virtual Social Groups! |
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February is all about LOVE! |
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ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!
Virtual Zumba with Elyse
When: Every Tuesday
Time: 4 pm
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Elyse Mundelein will be teaching a virtual Zumba class! No experience needed, just get ready to dance and have fun!
Upcoming dates:
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Club for middle and high-schoolers.

Virtual Club 321
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 4 pm-5 pm
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This is a great opportunity to socialize, engage, and connect with each other. We'll have something new and different each week!
Upcoming dates:
- Wednesday, February 8:Valentine's Day Crafts. You’re Roarsome!- Valentine’s Day Card
- Wednesday, February 15:Love for others. Learn The Level of Friendship Through A Guessing Game!
- Wednesday, February 22: Love for our community. Learn about recycling: Recycle an egg carton or a toilet paper roll to make art! (bring scissors, markers, and glue)
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Young adults 18+

T21 Social Network (18+)
When: Every Thursday
Time: 4 pm-5 pm
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This is a great opportunity for our adult group to socialize, engage, and connect with each other. We'll have something new and different each week!
Upcoming dates:
- Thursday, February 2: Expressing love to ourselves. Learn to Practice Self Love! Bring a Mirror, Paper and Pencil.
- Thursday, February 9: Valentines Day Crafts. Have a Slice day!- Valentine’s Day Card
- Thursday, February 16: Love for others. Learn About Levels of Friendship: Test Your knowledge with Jeopardy.
- Thursday, February 23: Love for our community. Learn about recycling and exercise with Morganne
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Looking forward to seeing YOU! |
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For more information about our online programming:
follow our private Facebook page, Meetup, or email
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Let's get social!
Follow us on social media for more information and to stay up-to-date on our upcoming events.
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