Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Crazy Hair for A Cause Fundraiser to promote NDSS, Pathfinder Village

From Pathfinder Village and News Channel 34:

Direct care professional Amber Warren of Norwich works each day to present choices and self-determination opportunities for people living with developmental disabilities. As a way to raise awareness for the National Down Syndrome Society, she is organizing a voting contest, Crazy Hair for a Cause, from now through July 16.
In this fun event, Mrs. Warren will gather votes for her next hair color through her National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) fund raiser page, http://tinyurl.com/ndss-crazyhairforacause . Voters will pay $5 to vote online through NDSS (through credit card), or may pledge $2 to vote if they use the non-credit card payment option; color choices are orange, bright red, green, blue, yellow and purple. A non-profit organization, NDSS is the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome, with headquarters in Manhattan.

Votes and payments ($2 minimum, with checks payable to NDSS) also may be sent in by mail to: Crazy Hair for a Cause, 5254 State Highway 23, Norwich, NY 13815; please include your color choice on check memo line. After the votes are tallied, Mrs. Warren will dye her hair on July 27 at Pathfinder Village, where she works as a senior residential coach. Pathfinder Village is a private, non-profit intentional community for children and adults who have Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. A 50l(c)(3) charitable organization, Pathfinder provides a wide variety of programs and opportunities for success, inclusion and independence for over 90 individuals.

As a veteran in human services, Mrs. Warren, advocates for those living at the Village’s Otsego House, but also encourages each person to learn that through choice and embracing individuality, one gains in independence, responsibility, and becomes a contributing member of the greater community. The idea for the contest was inspired by the young men she works with.

“I enjoy changing my image regularly,” said Mrs. Warren, who wears her hair in a neat Mohawk cut. “One of the residents I work with asked me, ‘What is your next color going to be?’ This led me to think of raising funds for NDSS, and to draw attention to the many ways that people with disabilities may direct their lives and exercise choices.”

During the contest, updates and voting links will be featured on Pathfinder Village’s Facebook page, in support of the Down syndrome community and the empowerment of over 400,000 people throughout the U.S. living with Down syndrome. All donations to NDSS in support of Crazy Hair for a Cause are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

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