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From The Executive Director

Nancy LaBelle - Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area

Second Quarter Summer 2010 Edition

hope you are enjoying the newsletter and that your summer is full of fun with friends and family! We are having another busy year at the Connection as we work towards our 2010 goals. Our annual meeting was so much fun with Kellie, Hank and Carla Greenwald as they all shared so beautifully what comes from Kellie’s heart. We also had National Down Syndrome Society President Jon Coleman who gave an informative presentation about what the NDSS does and what they are currently working on. Thanks to Kathy Harkins and Marianne Iversen for coordinating the event.

Thanks to Board Treasurer Bill Bayliss, in 2010 we are efficiently cruising in Quick Books, giving our Operations Director Kathy Harkins automation of time-consuming tasks and several reporting capabilities.

We are on our way to several fundraisers and I hope you will support us by attending or volunteering. We have two coming up that literally keep our doors open. Our annual Charity Gala will be at the Diablo Country Club on Saturday, September 18. It will be a night of live and silent auctions, dancing to live music from 2endeavor, a delicious dinner and a lot of great fun! Tickets are available on our web site and we still need help obtaining great auction prizes.

The Buddy Walk raises the most money for our organization. This year we will change it up as we will be at the Little Hills Ranch in San Ramon on Sunday, October 3. Thanks to Little Hill’s generosity we were able to secure the entire park for the day. There will be swimming, rock climbing, a bouncy house, sports and much more. Little Hills has plenty of parking for everyone and a great trail for our walk. The generous folks of the Walnut Creek Kiwanis club are doing the barbequing and donating the food, and we will have a live concert in the park with the hot Bay Area rock band Public Eye. I need your help...please send out a web page this year to all of your friends, coworkers and family members asking for their support of your walker.

With growth comes the need and desire to assess our programs. We are currently working on a “new parent survey” with the help of member Iara Peng to ensure we are giving parents what they need or want at diagnosis.

We are also planning new workshops, updating our lending library thanks to the San Ramon Kiwanis club, starting a Grandparents support group and so much more.

The heart of the Connection is its members. I ask you as a member of our organization to join us however you can, whenever you can, and to please forward our requests for help, attendance or donations to your circle of friends and family. What you give or the time you take makes a difference in the lives of so many wonderful families and allows us to keep doing what we are honored to do everyday.

Sincerely,
Nancy LaBelle
Executive Director



First Quarter Spring 2010 Edition

Happy spring everyone! I’m writing this on my two-year anniversary with the Connection and it feels a bit strange to me. At first I couldn’t believe it has been two years and in reality it feels like I have been part of this wonderful family for a very long time. How blessed and thankful I am to have this job and belong to such an amazing community full of loving people. I can truly say I have been changed by the relationships, both young and old, I’ve made with those we serve. The generosity of the community has opened my eyes, proving that everyone wants to give, they just need to know how. Telling our story at the Connection is easyfor me.

At the end of the day it’s all about encouraging unlimited potential and that’s what we do! While in the office each day I have the joy of watching little ones conquer obstacle courses and adults create awesome works of art and build lasting friendships. I have the joy of joining in on incredible teens dancing and expressing themselves and babies beating on drums while parents become close friends. I hear kids speak words they have never spoken before and proudly read fun things in a book.

The Connection is a place where I know I will continue to meet inspiring, talented and generous people who will change my life just by knowing them.

It doesn’t get any better than that!

Sincerely,
Nancy LaBelle
Executive Director



Fourth Quarter Fall 2009 Edition

When I think about 2009 coming to an end at first I say where did the time go? Then I stop and reflect on all that has been accomplished and it becomes very clear. Despite the economy, 2009 has been a good year at the Connection. We are excited about our full classes and expanding into new territory.

Our hard working Staff and Board have been busy with the growth of our membership serving more families than ever. Our ability to serve continues thanks to wonderful foundations such as the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation and many others who believe in our mission.

In 2009 we were blessed with generous grants and with donations from members, their family and friends who wanted to help. We saw this with the Buddy Walk where 50 families gave the opportunity to 750 people...raising over sixty thousand dollars. Thank you, members, for embracing our new fundraising technology!

Here’s a look at some of the highlights of 2009. Together, we...

I look forward to 2010 where my focus will be on keeping up with our organization's growth and our member's needs. I will, with passion, continue to teach the general public about Down syndrome. I will, with conviction, share the importance of everyone being regarded as "people first." Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,
Nancy LaBelle
Executive Director

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