| September
25th 6th Annual DS Buddy Walk |
|
Sonoma
County Down Syndrome Support |
| Slide Shows :: | Buddy
Walk 2005 Buddy Walk 2006 |
Valentine's
Day 2006 Valentine's Day 2010 |
Christmas
2003 Christmas 2006 |
Sixth Annual
Sonoma County
Buddy Walk
September 25, 2010
The Sonoma County Down Syndrome Support group
will host its Sixth Annual
Buddy Walk at Howarth Memorial
Park in Santa Rosa September 25, 2010 from9am-2pm,
rain or shine. We will have non profits sharing
information, a talent show, a BBQ lunch, and
a raffle of wonderful prizes.
Come out and join the fun!
- The
who, what, when, where, and whys are answered
in this informative flyer Sonoma
County Down Syndrome Support Buddy Walk Registration
Brochure/Form
September 25, 2010
Registration the day of the walk 9:00-10:00
Walk time: 11:00 a.m. (Rain or Shine) Howarth Park Gazebo Area, Santa Rosa, CA
Lunch served at Noon
Talent Show follows lunch
- Buddy Walk Sponsor Form
- Map
to Howarth Memorial Park
Directions to Howarth Park (Gazebo Picnic Area)
630 Summerfield Road • Santa Rosa • California
From Hwy 101 • Take Hwy 12 East exit toward Sonoma • Cross through Farmer's Lane Intersection (You are now on Hoen Ave. – proceed 1.5 miles) • Left on Summerfield Road – 3/4 mile • Right into Howarth Park entrance • Follow road to parking near picnic area. If lower lot is full, exit lot and circle back to main entrance on Summerfield Road. Drive up park road to the upper parking lot and cross your fingers. Parking is available on the street if necessary!
- Volunteers :: Work four hour shifts and pay $7.00 for a day of fun and community involvement from 7:30-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25 at Howarth Park Gazebo, Santa Rosa, CA.
Contact the Buddy Walk Committee for more information about how you can be a part of this special day.
Chairperson: Diane Hobaugh, dihobaugh@sbcglobal.net (707) 537-8001
Publicity: Gloria Huerta, gloriaphuerta@yahoo.com (707) 319-1135
Registration: Reina Salinas, salinas95492@yahoo.com
Volunteers: Maria Geary, gearyhouse@att.net
Motorcycle Run: Alex Perez, dominick3997@yahoo.com
Pop music blares, pink heart balloons decorate the room, and a pair of teenage sweethearts snuggle on the dance floor. It could be a typical high school Valentine's Day dance scene, but the kids at this dance have a little something extra. They have an extra chromosome in each of their cells.
The Sonoma County Down syndrome Support Group held its second annual Valentines Day party Sat., February 10. "It's about awareness and getting the kids together," said Jennifer Angel, parent of a child with Down syndrome. "They don't go to school dances, so they miss out on those kinds of events. This is an environment where they can be themselves."
Gloria Huerta founded the group about 13 years ago when her daughter, Gloria Jr., was 13. The main goals are to promote awareness about Down syndrome, provide support for families with Down syndrome and raise funds for research.
| "We
try to make people more aware of our Down
syndrome kids and let them know that these
kids are capable of working and living independently,"
Huerta said. "These kids are capable
of so much more than people realize." Only four or five families were in the group when founded by Huerta. Though the group is now comprised of 65 or 70 families, Huerta says, "We haven't even touched the surface." She says that there are many families with adult children with Down syndrome that have not joined the group. |
 |
|
| Gloria
Huerta and her daughter, Gloria Jr., at a friend's wedding in 2006 where the two performed Hula dancing. Photo Courtesy Gloria Huerta |
The group hosts a variety of events through out the year, including dances, holiday parties, Mom's Dinners and bowling events. One of their more prominent events is the Buddy Walk fundraiser held in the fall. The group works with another nonprofit, Becoming Independent, to put together the fundraiser, and kids in the group complete a one-mile walk in Howarth Park. Angel says that the group donated 25 percent of the funds raised to the National Down syndrome Society. The money goes towards research, education, and scholarship programs.
Another important service that the group offers is the Hope Basket Program. Upon request, Hope Baskets are delivered to families who have just had a child with Down syndrome born into their family. The baskets are filled with items like baby pajamas, a calendar, books, and flowers for mom.
According to Huerta it is common for parents to be unaware of the fact that their child has Down syndrome until he or she is born. Donna and Dan Patrick were in such a situation when their third son, Nathan, was born 17 months ago. The Patricks brought all three of their children to the Valentines Day party, and Donna says that the group has provided them with a lot of helpful information since Nathan was born. "We've met a lot of good friends here," she said.
A child does not have to have Down syndrome to be a part of the Down syndrome Support Group. Cathy Van Dalen's daughter has a different disability, but she and her daughter were present at the party. "All are welcome," Van Dalen says. "You let down your guard. It's a nice environment."
The Down syndrome Support Group is an Affiliate of Becoming Independent. They support families in areas from Lake to Marin Counties.
3 SPECIAL BLESSINGS
Discover at least 3 SPECIAL BLESSINGS other families will never experience . . . Some Downs Syndrome individuals have succeeded in living independently with minimal supervision - others have become actors or even lecturers.
Babies and children with Downs Syndrome children are more similar than different when compared with other children.
Downs Syndrome can be identified during pregnancy or at birth.
Most parents after first learning about their child’s difficulty are naturally scared and devastated, they immediately begin thinking the worst. Others can accept the child but cannot accept how they feel about the problem.
IS ABORTION A SOUND ADVICE?
Are you faced with the decision about whether to give your unborn child’s life? If so, read on and explore how Downs Syndrome children benefit families and the society in more areas than just one.
A’ Ds’ CHILD CAN BE A RARE GIFT . . . These very special little children can make you feel lucky and proud.
Our culture today puts a high amount of value on productivity and on personal looks. If you don’t fit the mold you could be considered an outsider even an outcast if there are incapacitating factors involved. However, what may appear at first glance to be a curse on family could turn into a blessing.
While there are many challenges and those must not be dismissed or minimized: they are valid and real and they will impact your family for years to come.
Yet, families with Downs Syndrome children receive many special, heart warming blessings when caring for a child so challenged including:
BLESSING #1: Unconditional Love . . .
As fickle as members of the human race can be, individuals with Downs Syndrome are often described as the most unconditionally loving people on the planet.
Some people believe that God’s unconditional love for mankind is evidenced through the lives of such children and they even feel honoured to have children with such challenges.
BLESSING #2: It makes YOU and YOUR family grow . . .
Committed families find that raising a child with Downs Syndrome has actually benefited the entire family as they learn to socialize with other people of different nationality, skin colour or backgrounds.
Downs Syndrome knows no barriers as families of every tribe, tongue, and persuasion are affected. This gives family members an opportunity to interact with people well beyond their own social structure.
BLESSING #3: You can make a MONUMENTAL DIFFERENCE to the society . . .
Perhaps you sat on the sidelines when an advocacy issue arose in the past. But with a ‘special needs child’ you will soon learn that you are your child’s chief advocate. You can positively impact your child’s development and help the society to understand that Downs Syndrome children are part of the ‘tapestry’ of the world’s community.
Soon, you will find yourself deeply involved with your local school district and speaking to other parents carrying a similar load. Yes, you can ease the burden of others who are facing a similar challenge!
Downs Syndrome children are a special blessing and a hidden treasure for a society that must see that beauty is not skin deep. Your journey won’t be easy, but try to cross each bridge as it comes, not forgetting about your child’s unique potential to make a positive contribution to your family and the society.
Life is beautiful in every form and every child is a blessing - not always by what the child is capable of, but by how the child makes us grow.
Contacts ::
Diane
Hobaugh
dihobaugh@sbcglobal.net
(707) 537-8001
Reina
Salinas
salinas95492@yahoo.com
(707)
837-8685
Parent's Monthly Meeting News:
Hello
Parents,
We celebrate learning together and sharing successes
in our support group for parents of children
with Down syndrome (0-5years). Our last few
sessions have focused on sharing our stories,
hearing presentations from Enabling Aquatics
swim program at the YMCA, and playing safety
bingo with Kidsake, Health and Safety Education.
Each month brings more friendships and topics
to investigate. Come an join us each month.
We have snacks and childcare available.
July 20th, and the third Friday of each month thereafter.