| October
4th 4th Annual DS Buddy Walk |
|
Sonoma
County Down Syndrome Support |
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Walk 2005 Buddy Walk 2006 |
Valentine's Day 2006 | Christmas
2003 Christmas 2006 |
Sonoma County
Buddy Walk
October 4, 2008
The Sonoma County Down Syndrome Support group
will host its Fourth Annual
Buddy Walk at Howarth Memorial
Park in Santa Rosa October 4, 2008 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 Form
October 4, 2008
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
- 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, October 4th 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
Public Relations: Gloria Huerta,
gloriahuerta@sbcglobal.net
(707) 319-1135
Advocacy Information: Amanda
Carles, ndesy5@yahoo.com
Registration: Reina Salinas,
salinas95492@yahoo.com
Volunteers: Jennifer Holley,
jlholley@scif.com
Drawing Coordinator: Carmelina
Huerta, karmahg@yahoo.com
Down
Syndrome Family Affair
Pre-School Days Bowling Party
Saturday August 18th, 2007
1:00 PM
Double Decker Lanes
300 Golf Course Dr.
Rohnert Park
Please RSVP via
e-mail or call 319-1135
" Pot Luck Dinner"
Friday August 24th, 2007
7:00 pm
Santa Rosa
Please RSVP for directions and what to bring
October 6th, 2007
Click here for details and forms
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.
Hope to see you soon,
God bless you and your family,
Gloria
Hi Everyone,
I am working on update our very own web page
in the next few weeks. I would love to show
off your child. Please write down your thoughts
about having a child with D'S and forward them
to me along with a picture of your choice. I
want to really make this special so our friend's
and families would really enjoy seeing what's
going on in our lives. You can make a different
to new parents who are searching for support.
Your story can make that difference.
I love you,
Gloira
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.