BUDDY WALK 2015: A FUN DAY FOR ALL! › 2015 › 10 › pdssn... · BUDDY WALK 2015: A FUN DAY FOR...
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Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 1 PDSSN FALL NEWS PAGE 1 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 4 October—November-December 2015 BUDDY WALK 2015: A FUN DAY FOR ALL! September 19 marked the day. West Forsyth High was a-buzz with activity as preparations were made and folks began to gather for our PDSSN annual celebration—the 5K Race and Buddy Walk. Old friends greeted each other and remarked on how their children had grown in the past year; people flocked to the food vendors; others visited the resource area to learn about the important services that are available in our community. And just about everyone checked out the almost-sixty raffle items that were donated this year. Dozens placed their tickets in the vases, hoping to win. The DJ kept things moving, and soon the 5K participants trickled in, happy over their run. Leaders gathered walkers to begin the trek around the track. Happy faces were everywhere to be seen! The talent show topped off another great day, with periodic announcements of winners of both set prizes and raffle items. Smiles prevailed, and as people left the scene they took with them the warm feelings generated by everyone’s celebration of an extra chromosome in just the right place to equal JOY! As we began to pack up and carefully store things for another year, the feeling was one of deep appreciation for everyone who worked so hard to put this event together. At the top of that long list, of course, are Melinda Gentry and Dana Alley, who headed up the 2015 Buddy Walk. We can’t name everyone without missing someone important, but thanks to each of you, and especially to Quincy Harvey and his 5K runners for raising awareness of PDSSN. Thanks to all who supported PDSSN by registering, attending, and participating in that glorious day! You are the ones who keep PDSSN going and growing! Thank you!
Transcript of BUDDY WALK 2015: A FUN DAY FOR ALL! › 2015 › 10 › pdssn... · BUDDY WALK 2015: A FUN DAY FOR...
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 1
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P A G E 1 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 4
October—November-December 2015
BUDDY WALK 2015: A FUN DAY FOR ALL!
September 19 marked the day. West Forsyth High was a-buzz with activity as preparations were made and folks began to gather for our PDSSN annual celebration—the 5K Race and Buddy Walk. Old friends greeted each other and remarked on how their children had grown in the past year; people flocked to the food vendors; others visited the resource area to learn about the important services that are available in our community. And just about everyone checked out the almost-sixty raffle items that were donated this year. Dozens placed their tickets in the vases, hoping to win. The DJ kept things moving, and soon the 5K participants trickled in, happy over their run. Leaders gathered walkers to begin the trek around the track. Happy faces were everywhere to be seen! The talent show topped off another great day, with periodic announcements of winners of both set prizes and raffle items. Smiles prevailed, and as people left the scene they took with them the warm feelings generated by everyone’s celebration of an extra chromosome in just the right place to equal JOY! As we began to pack up and carefully store things for another year, the feeling was one of deep appreciation for everyone who worked so hard to put this event together. At the top of that long list, of course, are Melinda Gentry and Dana Alley, who headed up the 2015 Buddy Walk. We can’t name everyone without missing someone important, but thanks to each of you, and especially to Quincy Harvey and his 5K runners for raising awareness of PDSSN. Thanks to all who supported PDSSN by registering, attending, and participating in that glorious day! You are the ones who keep PDSSN going and growing! Thank you!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 2
Ahhh! Fall is my favorite season and it’s finally here! I love the cool air and the beautiful changing colors of the leaves. I also love that the Buddy Walk & 5K Race comes each fall because it’s one of my favorite days of the year!
This year’s event was all I hoped it would be, full of sunny skies and happy faces. I’m so grateful to all of the volunteers and sponsors who came together to make it a special day for everyone! I especially want to thank the head masterminds behind the day, Melinda Gentry, our dedicated Buddy Walk Chair, and Quincy Harvey, our 5K Race guru and director. You can link to the gallery of all the photographs on page 23. With the Buddy Walk behind us, it’s time to focus on the future. I’m proud to announce our upcoming pilot of The PDSSN Learning Program, which is an evidence-based educational program that focuses on improving educational outcomes for children with Down syndrome. Program details are on page 3. In 2016, I thrilled to launching our new PDSSN Connections program. See details below. I’m also looking forward to our Strategic Planning Meeting on Saturday, November 7th. This is a great opportunity for you to let us know the programs and events you’d like us to coordinate so we can best meet your needs. If you haven’t done so already, please complete our short, 7-question survey at Bit.ly/PDSSN-Survey-2015 and share your ideas with us. I can’t wait to see what 2016 will bring!
This year’s Buddy Walk marked the grand opening our new PDSSN Store, featuring clothing and accessories embossed with our logo. These make great holiday gifts while also building awareness of Down syndrome and PDSSN. An added bonus - Champion will donate a percentage of each sale back to PDSSN! Thanks, Champion! Check out our PDSSN Store products on page 5.
Team captains can also continue to raise money to earn store prizes through October 31st. Details about the incentive program are on page 12.
We're excited to announce that in 2016 we will be organizing new Connections Groups to provide opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome at each age level. It is our hope that these groups will not only answer your requests for additional social opportunities for your children with others in their age group, but also help to provide information and skills for children, teens and adults to grow into self-advocates who see PDSSN as a resource in their lives.
Click here for more information and registration for our Connections Groups!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 3
Registration is Open For The PDSSN Learning Program!
Improving Educational Outcomes for Children with Down Syndrome
The Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network is proud to introduce you to a pilot
program we will be conducting from February through May 2016. The Learning
Program™ is a nationally-recognized program created by the Down Syndrome
Foundation of Orange County. Its practices are based on the research conducted by
Down Syndrome Education International.
The Learning Program ™ is a supplementary education program that recognizes parents
as a child’s first teacher. Each month, parents attend a workshop featuring different
topics and are provided information, strategies and materials to work with their child at
home. At the same time, children attend a high-energy, fun and engaging class and are
introduced to the same material by a credentialed teacher, a licensed speech-language
pathologist, and a licensed occupational therapist.
For this pilot program, enrollment will limited to 12 families with children ages 3-7, or up
to 1st grade. Sessions will meet once a month from February 2016 through May 2016 for
1.5 hours on a Saturday morning in Winston-Salem. Spaces will be filled on a first-come,
first-serve basis.
Visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-Learning-Program
for More Information and Registration!
If you have any questions, contact Dana Alley at
[email protected] or 336-480-8871.
PDSSN thanks our program partner, Group Homes of Forsyth, for their support.
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I’m very interested in knowing how the national election will turnout. I’d really like to see the COLA for Social Security revisited. As important as these are to me, the reality is there is very little influence I can offer to make a difference in the outcomes. For the PDSSN, however, that’s not the case. As President I can exert leverage on budget and program decisions. I can help recruit new board members and amend our by-laws. But, as a short-timer with elections coming up in January, my presidential influence is waning.
What is most important is not my influence, but YOURS. We are very close to our November 7th Strategic Planning session where the next three years will be framed. And, wow, the last three years of our plan have been hugely significant for the organization, thanks to your ideas, participation and courage. What will the next three years mean for newborns with Down syndrome in our community? What will early intervention and public school collaboration look like with decreased funding for special needs? Can the Buddy Walk get any better? And what about a spring fund raiser to undergird our financial sustainability? That – all of that – YOU can influence. Please help us by completing the electronic survey sent last week by Dana. And, sign up to join us November 7th to make not just your ideas but your voice strong. Hope to see you there!
- Bill Donohue
Our Board of Directors and PDSSN stakeholders will meet on November 7th to ponder future planning for PDSSN. Information is being gathered from our Board and membership to help the Board ensure that the direction and outreach of our organization reflects the interests, needs, and wishes of our members and their families, as well as our stakeholders. If you have not yet completed a survey and would like your (anonymous) voice to be heard, please click here:
Bit.ly/PDSSN-Survey-2015. The survey consists of 7 quick questions. Karl Yena, our friend and a local leader who has a wealth of experi-ence in leadership of non-profit organizations, will lead the retreat. Karl will study the surveys ahead of time and fashion the retreat around those concerns. If you would like to be a part of this retreat, or would like to be con-sidered for a Board position, please contact Board President, Bill Donohue at 336.692.8828 or [email protected]. (Meeting place and time will be Parkway United Church of Christ, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food and child-care provided with RSVP.) For other information and registration visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-Planning-Meeting-RSVP .
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We are excited to offer clothing and accessories with our PDSSN Logo. These make great gifts for any occasion and
Champion will donate a percentage of each purchase to PDSSN!
Vapor Tees Soft Mesh Caps
Adult Long Sleeve Vapor Cotton Tees
Sprint ¼ Zip Jackets Performance Colorblock
Full Zip Jackets
Eco Fleece items are available in either of the colors shown above.
Hooded Soft Shell Jackets Rolling Duffle
PLEASE NOTE: Items will be shipped to you in mid-November.
Vapor Polo Shirts
Shop Now for the Holidays!
Our PDSSN Store Is Open Until 10/31!
Visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-Store To Order!
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Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 7
Next Chapter Book Club
Each time one of our book clubs completes the reading of a book, they have a party—and sometimes a “field trip” to learn more about the subject matter of the book just read. After the reading of The Adven-tures of Robin Hood, Tuesday's Robinhood YMCA’s NCBC took a field trip to DropTime Archery in Ad-vance. They got to see how bows and arrows have changed from the days of Robinhood and the Native
Americans to the more sophisticated ones of today. One of the bows they showed us cost $2000. But the best part was all getting to shoot….and everyone hit the target.
The trip to the police station after finishing The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was another interesting time for these readers. Learning about finger-printing, crime scenes, and talking with professional police officers brought sleuthing from Sherlock’s times into modern day practices. Fascinating stuff! The Sunday Book Club has found a new home at Carillon Assisted Living on Peacehaven Road in Clemmons. The folk at Carillon have been welcoming and everyone is happy with the move to a quieter, less distracting location. If you or anyone you know would like to know more about our Next Chapter Book Clubs,
please contact Deborah Woolard at [email protected]
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LET’S GET FIT! Every Monday night at 5 pm the Let’s Get Fit class meets at the Robinhood Road Family YMCA’s cross training center. Attendees do not have to be mem-bers of the Robinhood Y to participate, but there is a $5 fee for each session. The program was started to meet the needs of people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants meet with a trainer for a fun interactive fitness experience. For more information: contact Lisa Marie Blutreich at 245-7203 or [email protected] , or check in at the desk prior to 5 pm on any Monday afternoon.
JOIN THE FUN!!!
Become a better you: Meet new people, build friendships, improve your strength and fitness,
and learn new skills. Your “happiness meter” will go up, up, up!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 9
Diamond ($5000+ donation):
HanesBrands, Inc.
The Winston-Salem Foundation
Emerald ($2500-$4999 donation):
BB&T
Salem Sports
VJ Diddy
Platinum ($1500-$2499 donation):
Battery Tree
Champion
Lamb Foundation of NC
Mayman Family
TEGNA Foundation
The Miller Group at Morgan Stanley
Which Wich
Gold ($1000-$1499 donation):
Bowers Family
Papa John’s
Paula Faria
Piedmont Triad Anesthesia
Southeast Financial Services, Inc.
Starbucks
Silver ($750-$999 donation):
Bojangles’
Chick-fil-A - Hanes Mall Boulevard
Ferree Dinkins Group CPAs, PLLC
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Novant Health Forsyth Pediatrics
The Bagel Station
Bronze ($500-$749 donation):
Bailey Liipfert, III, Attorney at Law
BAYADA Home Health Care
Blue Rhino
CFAC & I/DD Advisory to CenterPoint
Forsyth Printing Company
Kimono Japanese Restaurant
Lindley Habilitation
Marcia Mayman
Mrs. Pumpkins
Novant Health Twin City Pediatrics
Pepsi Beverages Company
Photos by Jarrod Sams & Jeffrey Pubantz
Piedmont Federal Savings Bank
Primo Water Direct
The Edmunds Group, Inc.
The Produce Box
Friends ($250 donation):
Biscuitville
Charles Hines & Son
Dairi-O
Farrady Family
Fuller Architecture
Hawthorne OB-GYN Associates
Klinepeter Family
McNeely Pest Control
Simply Therapy, P.C.
Triad Moms on Main
Wheeler Family Dentistry
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 10
P D S S N F A L L N E W S
Join us for a relaxing dinner out with friends at Ladies’ Night Out
On Thursday, November 19th at 7pm at P.F. Changs on Stratford Ave., W-S.
RSVP to Kristin Douglass
krisrobdouglass@gmail .com —or 336-813-9260
Visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-LNO for future dates and locations.
Our D.A.D.S. group meets on the last Tuesday
of each month from 6:30pm–8:30 pm. For information about our D.A.D.S. group,
Visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-DADS or contact Quincy Harvey, D.A.D.S. Director, at:
[email protected] or 336-403-0128
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 11
P D S S N F A L L N E W S
Our Thanks to the Mayman Family!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 12
Team Captain Recognition Program
Extended Until October 31st!
We are excited to offer some extra special incentives team captains can earn for their fundraising efforts! The more you raise the greater the prize!
$250 $500 $750
$1000 $1500 $2500
$5000 $7500
Cinch Bag or Soft Mesh Cap. Caps are available in either of the
colors shown above. PDSSN Car Magnet or Visor
Back Pack or Vapor Tee. Vapor Tees are available in either
of the colors shown above.
Sprint ¼ Zip Jackets are available in either of the
colors shown above.
Performance Full Zip Jackets are available in either of the
colors shown above.
Double Dry Eco Fleece items are available in either of the colors
shown above.
HUGE thanks to Champion®
for providing these wonderful incentive prizes!
Softshell Jackets Rolling Duffle
PLEASE NOTE: Incentive prizes are not cumulative. Each team captain can earn one item at the fundraising level achieved
or a combination of prizes whose levels add up to the fundraising level achieved. Incentive prizes are awarded based only on money received by PDSSN by October 31st.
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 13
P D S S N F A L L N E W S
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 14
Weekly: Next Chapter Book Clubs-see page 7 for more. Sunday, 3 p.m. Monday, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Every Month: I/DD Advisory meets the first Thursday of each month (except for December) at Center-Point conference room—5:30 p.m.
October: 25th: PDSSN Hayride & Pumpkin Patch at Tanglewood. See page 2. 22rd: Exceptional Families—Click for Topic Information. 27th: DADS Group Meeting—see page 10.
November: 7th: Full Board of Directors and Stakeholders Retreat for Strategic Planning, Parkway
UCC (p. 4). 14th: Hoof & Paw 4th Annual Chicken Stew - 5pm-9pm. 19th: Ladies Night Out—See page 10. 24th: DADS Group Meeting—see page 10. 27th: Happy Thanksgiving!
December: Happy Holidays to Everyone! 5th: Jaycees Holiday Parade—More info: Bit.ly/PDSSN-At-Jaycees-Holiday-Parade 20th: No Limits II Dance - More info: Bit.ly/PDSSN-No-Limits-II-Dances
Watch for emails from PDSSN about opportunities for fun & service!
PDSSN.org; 336-480-8871; [email protected]
www.Facebook.com/PDSSN; www.Facebook.com/Groups/PDSSN/
www.Facebook.com/DADS.Piedmont
www.Facebook.com/nextchapterbookclubwinstonsalemnc
Twitter: @PDSSN; Instagram: PDSSN
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 15
YOUR BOARD Introducing your 2015 PDSSN Board….
Dana Alley, Executive Director
OFFICERS Bill Donohue, President Laura Laxton, Vice President Audrey Blackburn, Treasurer Alice Tolin, Secretary
OTHER MEMBERS Aarti Ghanekar, Professional Ralph Pederson, Professional Brent Bennett, Self-Advocate Chris Kelsey, Professional Kelly Cronin, Parent Tamison Jewett, Professional McNeil Cronin, Parent Melinda Gentry, Family Sukhada Gokhale, Professional Quincy Harvey, Parent Robert Wall, Professional Selene Johnson, Professional
STANDING COMMITTEES, CHAIRS
Executive Team, Bill Donohue Nominating/Board Development, Laura Laxton Finance, Audrey Blackburn Personnel, Chris Kelsey Development and Marketing, McNeil Cronin
GENERAL COMMITTEES, CHAIRS Buddy Walk, Melinda Gentry Community Education, Sandy Sauer Exceptional Families, Sandy Sauer Newsletter Editor, Chris Kelsey Next Chapter Book Club, Deborah Woolard Membership, Open Sunshine Committee, Deborah Woolard Lending Library, Chris Gentry Website Updates, Dana Alley Social Events, Open Social Media/Marketing, Suzie Harvey Resource Notebook, Open New Parent Contact/First Call, Kelly Cronin Medical Outreach, Kelly Cronin & McNeil Cronin Where you see “Open,” please consider the potential for you to serve. You do not have to be a Board member to chair a committee, or to serve on one. See a place where you might
fit in? Please contact Bill Donohue or Dana Alley.
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 16
One of the fun activities that PDSSN has promoted is Family Night at the DASH. As you can see (if you weren’t there experiencing it!), our families have had a great time! Watch for op-portunities for you and your family to join in the fun next time!
“Ninety percent of the game is half mental.” - Yogi Berra
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 17
P D S S N F A L L N E W S
NO LIMITS II
PLAN TO PUT SOME FUN IN YOUR LIFE!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH
4-6 p.m.
Held at The Village Inn & Conference Center,
Clemmons, NC
CATCH THE CONCESSION STAND CRAZE!
How would you like to join the fun by volunteering at the concession stand fundraisers at Wake Forest’s home games?! Just click here: Visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-Concession-Stands for dates, times and information.
“Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to live and to work and to play and
to look up at the stars.” - Henry Van Dyke
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 18
P D S S N F A L L N E W S
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 19
THE ADDAMS FAMILY!
Can you find Jeremy
Donohue in these photos? He
was in the wonderful perfor-
mances of The Addams Family,
put on by the Theatre Alliance.
It was a great play, - very enter-
taining and superbly acted. Jer-
emy obviously was at home and
enjoyed every minute!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 20
Thank you, Bowers Family!
Our Appreciation, Paula Faria!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 21
Portfolio Management Group 100 N. Main Street, Suite 2500
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336.721.9212 Toll-free: 800.334.4401
Fax: 336.217.8412
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 22
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 23
These pictures show just a few of the memories made at this year’s Buddy Walk. You can visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-BW-5K-Photos-2015 to view all the pictures taken by our photographers. Many thanks to Jeffrey Pubantz & Jarrod Sams for donating their time and talent to PDSSN!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 24
If you are one who does some holiday shopping from the comfort of your home, here is an oppor-tunity for you to support PDSSN at no cost to you! Go to www.amazonsmile.com and register PDSSN as the non-profit you wish to support. 0.5% of all purchases will go to PDSSN. The cost of the item will not go up; the quality will be the same, as will every aspect of the experience you’ve come to expect at Amazon! You can get started today! Visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-Amazon-Smile for information and to sign up.
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy
are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
- Albert Schweitzer
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 25
Lots of fun was had by the young and the young-at-heart at our first PDSSN Family Day at Camp Hanes! Activities included canoeing, archery, arts & crafts, fishing, rope climbing, zip-lining, and swimming. We definitely started a tradition and are already looking forward to next summer! We hope you can join us!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 26
Wine from the Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network
The Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network (PDSSN) has partnered with Grove Winery to produce a PDSSN dry red Mer lot, and a semi-sweet white Seyval Blanc. Grove Winery has generously agreed to donate all proceeds from the PDSSN wine sales back to our organization.
Thank you, Grove Winery!
MERLOT
This medium body, dry red wine is made from 100% Merlot with a light American and French oak aging. Aromas of berries and herbs with fla-vors of plum and vanilla roll into a smooth but dry finish. Great to pair with pork, lamb and beef.
SEYVAL BLANC This slightly sweet, stainless-steel aged white wine is made from 100% Seyval Blanc. The wine offers light citrus aromas with more crisp and refreshing citrus on the palate. Great to pair with delicate white fish and light salads.
$14.99 All Proceeds go to PDSSN
Place your order at - Bit.ly/PDSSN-Wine Delivery & Ordering Information:
Winston-Salem Pick-Up: Dana Alley will arrange for the wine to be delivered to Winston-Salem. Please contact Dana at [email protected], or 336-480-8871 to coordinate a pick up time and place.
Greensboro Area Pick-Up: Wine is available for pick up at Grove Winery. Hours: Mon-days-Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Address: 7360 Brooks Bridge Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249. Phone: (336) 584-4060.
Instructions:
During the online ordering process, the system will require that you fill in your ship-ping information. That information is needed for billing purposes. If you click the box at the bottom of the shipping information page that says “use same information for billing,” it will save you from needing to input that information when you pay for your order.
After you click “check out,” the next page will list your shipping options. Select “pick up” and no additional cost will be added to your order.
Shipping Option: If you prefer, you can also choose to have your wine order shipped anywhere for the stated cost.
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 27
P D S S N F A L L N E W S
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 28
“Leave everything a little better than you found it.”
Facebook Fans: Here are some pages to “Like” -
PDSSN Members’ Discussion Group Next Chapter Book Club W-S D.A.D.S.
T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!
2015 Buddy Walk and 5K T-Shirts are for sale! The BW shirts are cotton, and the 5K are “performance,” made for athletes. We have many left, in several sizes. Click here:
Bit.ly/PDSSN-Buddy-Walk-Shirts
You can complete your order and have options for payment and delivery.
Just another way to support PDSSN and get something nice out of it, too!!
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 29
Thanks to so many of you who have joined PDSSN! We hope you will renew your membership annually. Dues are $20 per household per year, but you can save $10 if you join or renew your membership at registration for the Buddy Walk! And remember: If your family is new to PDSSN, your first year of membership is free!! Visit Bit.ly/PDSSN-Membership to join.
PDSSN 4715 Yadkinville Road, #144 Pfafftown, NC 27040
4715 YadkinvilleRoad, #144
Winston-Salem, NC 27040
Dana Alley, Executive Director
336.480.8871
Website: PDSSN.org
PDSSN NEWS
Is published four times each year in: January—Winter Issue
April—Spring Issue July—Summer Issue October—Fall Issue
Please submit articles or photos the month prior to publication to:
