Boy with Down syndrome completes epic bike ride for charity

by Tyson Shine from Yahoo News:

A 12-year-old boy with Down syndrome has helped raised thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics riding from Tasmania's east coast to Hobart.

Sporting a flat tyre, Lucah Mathiassen and his mother Kristin were part of a team of four who completed the journey with a warm welcome in the capital.


The pair and a support crew took four days to ride the 280 kilometres from St Helens in the north-east.


"[We had] 35-kilometre winds straight in the face along the east coast, that was definitely a challenge," Ms Mathiassen said.


The ride raised more than $5,000 for the Special Olympics which offers an opportunity for people with a disability to try competitive sport.


"Lucah will be involved at some point, when he's a little bit older," Ms Mathiassen said.


"Here is a single mum with her son with Down Syndrome ... wanting to do a ride for her son to be able to compete in Special Olympics, but also raising funds for us as well," Special Olympics Tasmania manager Bernadette Black said.

Brody's Buddy Ride raises money and awareness for Down syndrome

from WKTV News:
Brody Savicki is no stranger to the public eye. He's a local youngster with a lot of spirit. He also has Down Syndrome. Brody's Buddy Ride was created to raise money for local children with Down syndrome.

Savicki has made many appearances on NewsChannel 2 Newstalk during the Live at Five Newshour.

Saturday, some 75 bike riders set out on a 63-mile journey. The rode 63 miles because 63 is 21 times 3. It signifies Trisomy-21. The 21st chromosome has three copies in Down syndrome.

The riders departed from Clinton and returned to Clinton at the end of their ride.

Richard Majka coordinates the ride.

He said, "All the money is donated to children and families who have children with Down syndrome, to help with any medical problems and any needs they have."

Skills cycle for swim star Oliver

from Chad:
UK - Three senior figures from Nottinghamshire-based Skills Holidays are ‘pedalling for pesos’, to help Blidworth swimmer Oliver Pratley take part in the Down Syndrome World Championships in Mexico this November.
Oliver (19) has already broken seven junior world records and nine European records and was breaststroke World Champion in 2012.
Now Oliver’s mum, Helen, and their supporters have to raise the £2,500 needed for him to attend the championships.
They have already raised £1,900 towards that amount but need a further £600.
Skills Chairman Nigel Skill and fellow Director Simon Skill, along with Holiday/Commercial Manager Martin Laver were so impressed with Oliver’s achievements to date that they wanted to help raise the remaining cash needed through a sponsored cycle ride tomorrow (Saturday).
The team will be setting off on a 50-mile round trip starting from Oliver’s home town of Blidworth, heading towards Newark, before turning north and travelling around Sherwood Forest and finally returning to Blidworth.
Helen Pratley said: “Unlike with the Paralympic teams, there’s no major sponsor to support swimmers with Down Syndrome.

'Country Music Lends Down a Hand' event raises funds, awareness

from WBBJ tv:
JACKSON, Tenn.- The Casey Jones Village Amphitheatre was rocking Wednesday as country music lends down a hand.
It was a fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of West Tennessee as hundreds of supporters came out.
Part of the proceeds will go towards a summer camp that organizers said all of the kids enjoy.
"They go every day and they learn about social skills, they do crafts, of course they sing and dance, they interact with each other," said Hope Graves event coordinator.
Some of the night's performers included Ash Bowers Eric Lee Beddingfield and Brandon Lay.

Rockin’ for Downs charity concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

by Eileen Di Rocco from GamingToday.com:
Next Tuesday, May 20, there will be a Rockin’ for Downs charity concert to raise awareness for Down syndrome at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. One hundred percent of all proceeds will be donated to The Up Side of Downs organization.
We realize that is a long way from Vegas and our usual Around Town beat, but we have a special interest in this concert as it is happening due to the hard work and dedication of our great-niece Maisie Hanley, a sophomore at Shaker Heights High School.
Things have changed since we were a sophomore. Back then a simple bake sale or car wash would have sufficed. However, Maisie is participating in the International Baccalaureate program at the school and is one of a select number of students asked to complete a project combining academic success with issues in the community and their own personal passion. That requires more than a few homemade cookies.
And so, Maisie decided to organize this concert. She persuaded the Rock Hall to donate their venue, scoured the surrounding area for suitable family-friendly entertainment, asking them to perform free of charge, and put together a publicity campaign. There will also be a silent auction. (To say we are proud of her is an understatement. Our buttons are busting!)

Social media boosts Down's Syndrome fundraising football event

by Pete Hughes from Oxford Mail:
Social media helped make this year’s Down’s Syndrome Oxford football tournament the most successful ever.
Organiser Niki Archer trebled the number of teams from seven to 21 and raised more than £1,000, thanks to her use of Facebook.
The 31-year-old from Wootton, whose four-year-old Archie has Down’s, said she was amazed by how successful Sunday’s tournament at Milton United’s ground near Didcot was. She said: “It was a lot of work and very tiring towards the end, but when I came home and turned on my phone, I found so many messages of thanks saying it was a wonderful day.
“The amount of money and awareness we’ve raised for a small charity is brilliant.”

2014 TWENTYWONDER to Benefit Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, 6/28

from Broadway World:
Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) announced today, in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, that their annual benefit TWENTYWONDER, A Carnival of the Mind, will have its 5th Anniversary on Saturday, June 28, 2014 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
This year's TWENTYWONDER, marks the 4th year, that the L.A. Derby Dolls will host the critically-acclaimed, 21 and older fundraising event, at the Doll Factory (1910 West Temple Street) in Los Angeles. The evening will feature an all-star roller derby bout, music, comedy, art, sciences and plenty of last minute guest surprises. Proceeds will benefit DSALA's efforts to support those born with Trisomy 21/Down syndrome living in greater Los Angeles.
"WOW...I can hardly believe we are about to mount the 5th Annual TWENTYWONDER in Los Angeles! From it's funky/sweaty/adorable beginnings as SuperBall 'The One Day World's Fair' in 1996 to the fun-loving genre bending acceptance/awareness event hailed as today's Carnival of The Mind, this event is a genuine pleaser. TWENTYWONDER repeatedly draws and amazes the sweetest people of Los Angeles with a cultural cocktail shaken with the sights and sounds and ideas for our thirsty modern lives," said Jim Hodgson, Director of Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles.

321edcuate! Give & Get Back fundraiser from 321foundation!

EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE
The 321foundation is starting a fundraising campaign TODAY...321educate! ANYONE can set up a “team” online and start raising funds…or you can find your favorite team and donate today! The money you raise will go back to help empower individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities through educational seminars, social events and advocacy efforts.

WHY RAISE MONEY AS A TEAM FOR 321FOUNDATION? It’s simple. It’s good to GIVE. Good karma just feels good…and...you will also GET BACK in return. Not only will you feel good for giving, but you will earn prizes for giving, too. It’s a win-win!

FUNDRAISING TIERS FOR “TEAMS”$250…..321foundation tshirt
$500…..321foundation hoodie (and the first prize)
$1k…....original artwork by an individual with DS (and the first 2 prizes)
$2,500…$100 iTunes gift card (and the first 3 prizes)
$5k…….32GB iPad (and the first 4 prizes)
$7,500…$500 scholarship* (and the first 5 prizes)
$10k……$1,000 scholarship* (and the first 6 prizes)
*Scholarship/convention must be approved by the 321foundation board.

Our goal is to get an iPad and educational scholarship in the hands of as many individuals with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities as possible...but your team does not have to be created for an individual with a disability. You may also gift your prizes in your name to individuals that could greatly benefit from them. This fundraiser is not tied to any geographic location so whether you live in Delaware or South Dakota, you can establish a team and fundraise. Give and Get Back.

To set up your “team” go to www.fundly.com/321educate and follow these easy steps…1. Scroll down on the right hand side of the page and click on “become a fundraiser”
2. At the bottom of the popup screen, click on “fundraise with an email”
3. Personalize with your info (the name you enter will be your fundraising name)
4. You will be redirected to a new screen which will allow you to personalize your fundraising page.
5. Share with your friends and start fundraising! It’s that simple!

Donations may also be directed via mail to:
321foundation
PO Box 1128
Bear, DE 19701
Please be sure checks have your team/name listed in the note section.

This fundraising campaign will be open through midnight EST May 31, 2014. Donations will be accepted after that date but will not be prize eligible. Prizes will be mailed by July 1, 2014.

Down syndrome group wins $1,500

Cintia Desrosiers-Rivera/For Pacific Daily News
Down Syndrome Association members and their children stand with Dr. Tom Shieh to receive the first-place award for their decorated tree during the 9th annual Shieh Su Ying Charity Tree Contest at Guam Premier Outlets in Tamuning on Sunday. They won $1,500 for their organization.

Local Down Syndrome group raises $200k for research

by Viki Gonia from The Doings Clarendon Hills:

‘Funding Futures’ Benefitting: Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation Location: Goose Island Brewery, Chicago Date: Oct. 26 Attended: 500+ Raised: $200,000 Websites: www.fundingfutureschicago.com, www.dsrtf.org

When her son was around three, Western Springs resident Vicki Van Alphen and her husband Dave learned about the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation, and she realized, “This is important. They are funding research to go beyond traditional therapies. There’s so much that could be possible for our kids that could affect them in their lifetime.”
That connection led Van Alphen to meet many other families in Western Springs with children with Down syndrome, and they all felt the need to help raise funds to support the work of DSRTF. Thus was born Funding Futures for People with Down syndrome. “It was the spark to help us find each other,” says Van Alphen.
Funding Futures held their second annual fundraising event on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Goose Island Brewery in Chicago.
According to Van Alphen, 500 tickets were sold prior to the event, and they expected to let even more in at the door. Final count of attendees was well over 500 throughout the evening. Goose Island was packed.
The first year, Funding Futures held their event in the smaller back room of Goose Island, but the event turned out to be so successful and popular, that they used the entire space for their second annual event.
Emcee Steve Cortes, analyst for CNBC, welcomed supporters to the event and introduced Mike Sands, Goose Island founder and chief financial officer, who presented Funding Futures and DSRTF with a check for $5000. Margie Doyle, who heads the Funding Futures committee, was introduced and gave a moving and tearful speech about finding people who cared to continue the search for new therapies and treatments for Down syndrome.

Black Tie Masquerade Ball for Down Syndrome!

by Bri from Noah's Ups and Downs:

 

I found out online about a benefit for Down syndrome research that was a black tie masquerade ball in Georgetown.  I had to go.  Not only is it an obvious personal cause for me, but I could visit my childhood friend, Heather, and go to a masquerade ball!  What's not to love about that?

The event was sponsored by Research Down Syndrome and a local family who lost their little boy with DS when he was around Noah's age.  It was at a beautiful old, remolded paper manufacturing company called Powerhouse right in Georgetown.  

What surprised Heather and I was the demographic of the crowd.  We had expected older, wealthy people and a very formal affair.  Turns out it was a younger, wealthy crowd.  Still very black tie- beautiful dresses, tuxes, wonderful hor d'oeurves, open bars, valet parking, etc.



View from second floor loft to lower level





Second floor loft area

There was an auction of some very cool items that each went for thousands of dollars but unfortunately the crowd who were not bidding would not quiet down.  It was so loud and hard to hear the auctioneer, it was disheartening for me as it made it feel like some where there to see and be seen, not for the purpose of the event.



Live painter whose painting was auctioned




Live band-Heather's favorite!



The best part of the night for me was meeting the people who work at and are in charge of Research Down Syndrome.  Although it was very hard to hear each other because it was so loud, we had some very nice conversations and hope to keep in touch.  They are doing some wonderful and very important research that will hopefully even help Noah in his lifetime!

Fundraiser to help local teenager buy Diabetic Alert Service Dog Thursday

by Lindsay MacLeod, KSBY News
A Nipomo High School student needs help raising money to buy a Diabetic Alert Service Dog.
Philip Vaughn, 17, has Down Syndrome and Type 1 Diabetes.
His mom says he has a hard time recognizing when his blood sugar level change, so he needs the service dog to help him out.
On Thursday, a fundraiser is being held at the Chili's in Arroyo Grande. The fundraiser runs from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 15% of the sales will go toward helping Philip get his dog.
Philip's mom says they need to raise $18,000, and so far, they've raised $7,000.
A sixth grade class at Branch Elementary School has also been raising money for Philip.

Olympic runner’s world record attempt to benefit Nat’l Down Syndrome Soc.

By Catherine Holland from AZ Family.com:

PHOENIX – When professional runner Andrew Lemoncello and his wife, Julie, welcomed their first child, Isla, in June, they were stunned to learn that she has Down Syndrome.

“It kind of took us by shock,” Lemoncello, who lives in Flagstaff, told 3TV’s Kaley O’Kelley.

An Awe-Inspiring Showing of Support: another truth about Down syndrome walks

by Mark Leach from DownSyndromePrenatalTesting.com:

Tomorrow is my local organization’s annual charitable walk to kick off October being National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I can’t wait.

Last week, as part of a blog hop, I posted “The Truth about Down Syndrome Walks.” In that post, the truth shared was that Down syndrome walks can be overwhelming. And, they indeed can be for the reasons I mentioned in the earlier post. But here’s another truth:

Down syndrome walks are an awe-inspiring showing of support.

We’re now less than 24 hours away from our annual walk, and I must admit that I am eager with anticipation for tomorrow. This is something I could not have fathomed before our daughter was born.

Before then, I had occasionally participated in other charitable walks. My firm sponsors many of them and I would often come out as a show of support for our firm team. One year, my participation went beyond the call of duty by my entry into a “Dude Looks Like a Lady” contest for the American Heart Association’s Walk. I believe photographic evidence is still out there in cyberspace.

Zumbathon For Down Syndrome

by Brittany Falkers from WDIO.com ABC:
The 12th annual Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk in Duluth is coming up on Sunday, September 29.  But one Northland family is doing a little extra fundraising ahead of the big walk.
Alycen Maciejeski and her fiance Josh Gerding say their 10-year-old son Joshua was blessed with an extra chromosome.  Alycen says he's a healthy and very active kid. This year he's in the 4th grade at Bryant Elementary in Superior.
The family has been active in the Duluth Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk for the last six years.  Every year they get as many people as they can together before the main event to donate to the cause they say is very close to their heart.
This year they're raising money with a Zumbathon.  It's a chance to raise some extra money and support kids like Joshua.  Alycen says it's also an opportunity to raise awareness.  "They are people too.  Smart people, very capable of learning, just like me and you," Alycen said.
Join them Sunday, September 22 from 2 until 4 p.m. at Clyde Iron Works. It's just $10 for the two hours of high energy exercise fun.
All of the money raised will be donated under Joshua's name to the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota at the walk, which is coming up at the end of the month.

Kids Fishing for a Cause

by Jessica Kiss form WJCL ABC and WTGS FOX:
POOLER, Ga.-  Kids Fishing For A Cause happens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tom Triplett Community Park in Pooler on Saturday, August 24.
Tournament registrations get underway at 9:30 a.m.  The cost is $5/angler.
All proceeds go to the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, according to Sandy Roach.

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.

2013 Step Up for Down syndrome, fun for all

ST. LOUIS, MO. (KTVI) – St. Louisans took part in the 2013 step up for Down syndrome, a fundraiser to help those afflicted with Down syndrome.  The event has been the largest such fundraising and awareness event for Down syndrome for the past several years.
In addition to the 1 mile walk, the festivities included food, fun, games and informational booths.

ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - Hundreds of walkers turned out Sunday morning to raise money and awareness for Down Syndrome.

The 2013 Step Up for Down Syndrome walk was held in Forest Park by The Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis.

This event has been the largest fundraising and awareness event for the organization in the last several years, and encourages people to support all the special people in our lives with Down Syndrome.

Last year, the event brought in more than $200,000, and organizers were hoping for record attendance this year.

Newark man goes 'Over the Edge' for Special Olympics

from the Newark Post Online:

Jonathan Stoklosa, a Special Olympics athlete from Newark, participated in the Over the Edge event on May 8 to raise money for Special Olympics Delaware.

Nearly 100 people rappelled 17 stories (221 feet) down the 300 Delaware Avenue building in Wilmington to raise more than $130,000.

Stoklosa was the first Special Olympics athlete to participate in the event's three-year history.

Help Gaps in the Map and get a chance to win an iPad2!

Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) has partnered with the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to create the Gaps in the Map Project which is designed to ensure that all families have access to support and information from a local Down syndrome affiliate. And, to raise funds for this amazing project, we're holding a contest to win an iPad2.   Here's how you can win... Give at least $21 to GapsInTheMap (http://www.crowdrise.com/GapsInTheMap) and you'll automatically be entered to win the iPad2.  It's as easy as that. Every donation, large or small, can make all the difference in helping all families to realize that they are part of a supportive down syndrome community so please give what you can.  To help even more, please forward this email to everyone you know. The contest goes from May 6th to June 3rd @ 11:59pm EST. I think that covers it. Thanks so much.   Gaps in the Map Committee Click here for all the tedious rules.  Special thanks to Down Syndrome Today magazine and James McFadden for the donation of the iPad!

Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action P.O. Box 2122 Bismarck, ND 58502 701.425.7129                           info@dsaia.org                      www.dsaia.org Copyright © 2013 Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action