There’s nothing better than family, and our members make The FOUNDATION family truly remarkable. This year, we have adapted to online programming and found a new sense of community through uncertainty. Our virtual community has provided essential support for families through human connection. We are excited to continue offering virtual programs through the end of the year. Details can be found below!
In addition to weekly virtual programs and socially-distanced gatherings, we want to help support your business. If you need help finding resources or just want to spread the word about your services, please do not hesitate to reach out.
We also want to offer financial support to those affected by the pandemic through our COVID Family Relief Fund. Apply below.
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Thank You!
Together we raised over $5,000 which when matched by our Board of Directors will provide over $10,000 towards our Covid Relief Fund.
Did you know? Since March, The FOUNDATION has awarded COVID Relief Grants to our families totaling over $13,000. All funds raised this past Tuesday will be allocated for our COVID Relief Fund to help families in need. We wanted to say thank you to our members that helped us spread the word about how The FOUNDATION has positively impacted their lives. Telling your story helped people get to know us and why they should support our mission. Thanks to you, we are able to be there for those who need it most this holiday season.
A BIG thank you to our FOUNDATION families, supporters and board of directors! We appreciate your efforts raising funds on Giving Tuesday. Together we are better!

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The FOUNDATION is very proud to announce we have released our 2019 Annual Report. Aside from our amazing members and programs, fiscal responsibility sets our nonprofit apart. We hope you will be as proud as we are to be part of an organization that manages their operations and finances with care while supporting families that have a loved one with Down syndrome throughout all stages of life. Special thanks to our small but mighty team of staff members and volunteers that make our mission possible through passion and commitment. Please take a few minutes to review our report and learn how The FOUNDATION puts it’s dollars to work.
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December
- Saturday, December 5 - Play Date at the Central Florida Zoo (10:00am-2:00pm)
- Saturday, December 5 - Parent Meet Up - Guardianship (2:00pm)
- Monday, December 7 - Deadline to apply for Spring Scholarships
- Tuesday, December 8 - Bowl-A-Thon Training: Learn how to share your story, set up your team and more! (7:00pm)
- Monday, December 14 - Bowl-A-Thon Committee meeting (7:00pm)
- Wednesday, December 16 - Moms Night Out (6:00pm-8:00pm)
- Sunday, December 20 - The FOUNDATION's Holiday Party!
Weekly Programs
- Mondays - iCan! Work Lunch and Learn (1:45pm)
- Tuesdays - Virtual Zumba with Elyse (4:00pm - 5:00pm)
- Wednesdays - Virtual Club 321 (4:00pm-5:00pm)
- Thursdays - Virtual T21 Social Network (18+) (4:00pm-5:00pm)
- Fridays - F^3: Fantastic Foundation Friends (4:00pm) and (4:30pm)
February 2021
- Sunday, February 21, 2021 - Tour of Champions Bowl-A-Thon
Don't want to miss out on our events?
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New Bowl-A-Thon 2021 Incentive!
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Let us take a chore off your hands with this amazing incentive valued at $350!
Our next Bowl-A-Thon incentive is an ever-so-handy CAR DETAIL!
Enter to win a full car detail courtesy of Ultimate Auto Detail in the comfort of your home or work! That's right – Ultimate Auto Detail comes to you! This prize is the perfect way to treat yourself while staying socially-distanced. Be sure to share the information for this incentive with your friends and on social media!
Here's how it works:
- Donors will earn 1 entry for every $25 donated.
- Team Captains will earn 1 entry for every $100 raised.
*Incentive runs from December 5- 13*
Register your BOWL-A-THON 2021 team TODAY!
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Night of a Million Lights...and holiday selfies!
We could not be more excited to provide an opportunity to celebrate the holidays together! Our holiday party is something we look forward to every year - it's the perfect way to connect with friends and family as we close the year. This holiday party will be a bit different - but brighter than ever! We will be strolling through Give Kids the World for their outdoor Night of a Million Lights event!
Sunday, December 20
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FOUNDATION guests can access the event between 5pm - 7pm
- Please sign up for an arrival time below!
- Dress comfortably and check the weather. You will be walking outdoors through an 89-acre property.
- Masks will be required throughout the park, except by the pool area - where food will be consumed.
- The earlier you go, the less people will be in attendance.
Give Kids The World Village
210 South Bass Road
Kissimmee, FL 34746
What you can expect!
- More than three million glittering lights will immerse guests in a festive kaleidoscope of sights and sounds.
- Shimmering 150-foot tunnel.
- 45 exquisitely decorated wish family residential villas.
- More than 50 larger-than-life holiday-themed wireframe displays.
- An enchanting, incandescent gingerbread arch.
- Out-of-this-world space-themed décor adorning the Village's delectable new centerpiece, Henri's Starlite Scoops.
- Admission includes complimentary ice cream and hot cocoa.
- Unlimited access to the Village's wheelchair-accessible rides and attractions, lavishly decked out for the holidays.
Happy holidays from all of us at The FOUNDATION!
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Date: Saturday, Dec 5
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Jamile's House - East Orlando
Join us on Saturday, December 5th to complete your guardianship forms! This event is for parents who have a child with Down syndrome who is 16 or older AND are actively pursuing completing the guardianship forms. Parents who have been through the process will be there to help you complete your forms and answer questions. Space is limited, so please register.
Forms will be provided at the event.
Thank you to Jamile Torres for hosting!
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Bowl-A-Thon 2021 – Share your story
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Would you like to have a custom video of your son or daughter? Join us for this training session!
Date: Tuesday, December 8
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Location: Zoom
By joining us on December 8, you will have the opportunity to work with our talented Social Media Intern, Avari, to create a customized video!
Do not miss out on this amazing tutorial! We will be walking through with you step by step and answer your questions as we go as we show you:
- How to create your team for the 2021 Bowl-A-Thon
- How to link your Qgiv team to a Facebook fundraiser
- How to use a text to give code for your donors
- How to email your contacts through Qgiv
You'll hear from our social media guru, Carla on how to promote your team and share your story! You'll also learn from other parents who have reached their fundraising goals in the past and find out how to share your story!
This event will be bilingual!
¡Este evento será bilingüe!
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Strike DOWN Barriers!
Join our 2021 Bowl-A-Thon Committee
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Want to make a difference while socially-distanced? Join the Bowl-A-Thon Committee, we meet through Zoom!
Bowl-A-Thon Committee Members, our last virtual meeting was such a success. We brainstormed and got the ball rolling on planning this event. Thanks to you, we will have the most successful Bowl-A-Thon ever!
We are looking for individuals that are committed to making a difference and can help with the items below:
- Securing auction items
- Registering teams for the Corporate Cup Challenge
- Corporate Sponsorships
Ready to get involved? If you would like to be part of this essential team which puts on our ONLY FUNDRAISER for the year, please email:
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Our next meeting is virtual through Zoom on:
Monday, December 14th at 7:00pm
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Meeting ID: 997 6924 6743
Passcode: 058317
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Date: Wednesday, Dec 16
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Nature in Beauty Boutique Salon and Spa
314 Canal St. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
Cost: Full cost is $40, but The FOUNDATION will cover half! It will be $20 for 4 services.
Choose from the following - Chair Massage, Mini Facial, Henna Tattoo, Polish Change, Hair and Scalp Treatment, Brow Arching
Food: BYO wine and snacks!
Join us for a night of pampering and relaxation – you deserve it! Choose from the following - Chair Massage, Mini Facial, Henna Tattoo, Polish Change, Hair and Scalp Treatment, Brow Arching. Sign up by clicking the button below!
Thank you to Annie Vessell for planning this fun evening!
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As the year wraps up, we reflect on our blessings and we cannot help but feel extra thankful for our amazing community members. We want to make sure everyone has a holiday season filled with good food and even better laughs.
The FOUNDATION continues our tradition, providing food and gift items for our families who need assistance.
If your family would like to receive the ingredients for a Holiday Dinner or assistance with purchasing gifts, please click on the request button below, fill out the form and we will be in touch with you.

Please submit requests for holiday assistance by
December 11th
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Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) uses a hierarchical based approach to improve speech clarity and feeding skills in individuals of all ages and across diagnoses. These innovative techniques focus on motor movement activities used to improve phonation, resonation, and speech clarity. Combined with a tactile-sensory approach, OPT provides a comprehensive solution to a variety of speech and feeding issues. OPT involves the use of therapy tools to train and transition muscle movements for speech production. Our techniques, applied in combination with the tools, make the difference in client’s lives.
The FOUNDATION offers traveling clinics to provide oral placement evaluations and program development. This program is highly beneficial, however, the evaluation is a one time visit that provides an outline for an on-going program that must be implemented by a parent or speech therapist on a daily or weekly basis.
Parents are required to view the second video on the page - "Parents' Guide to Talk Tools" to be eligible for an Oral Motor Therapy Scholarship.
Next Evaluations will be: January 28-31, 2021
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Spring Scholarships Are Closing Soon!
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The FOUNDATION has awarded almost
$1 million since we began our scholarship program in 2010!
For our scholarships, we ask YOU to find something that your son or daughter would like to do, sign up (with that organization) and then apply for our scholarship.
Scholarship applications will be accepted for Educational, Community, Swimming, Speech, and Behavioral (ABA). The spring scholarship covers January 2021 - April 2021.
*Applications will close on Monday, December 7th*
Here's what one mom had to say about her son's experience with the
Swimming Scholarship:
"We can't thank the Foundation enough for this scholarship. It has definitely enabled us to access important resources that wouldn't be otherwise possible for us to get involved and that are already presenting amazing results in our son's life. He attended swimming lessons last year (2019) and it was a success. Not only did he acquired core strength, balance, but also his communication skills improved. It was such a positive experience for him and on top of all the physical and motor skills benefits this experience also boosted his self esteem. It has been a blessing and we are very grateful for the opportunity and support we received."
-Luciana R.
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Shop for the holidays and help your community. |
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Last quarter The FOUNDATION raised $998 from shoppers like you! |
Amazon Smile is the perfect way to help support The FOUNDATION while you shop this holiday season.
- Amazon donates 0.5% of your purchase to the charity of your choice through Amazon Smile.
- Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same prices, products and services.
Ready to shop 'til you drop while supporting INCLUSION?
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Visit smile.amazon.com and log into your Amazon account.
- Select "Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida" as your charitable organization.
- Enjoy shopping and thank you for supporting The FOUNDATION!
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Virtual Zumba with Elyse!
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When: Every Tuesday
Time: 4:00pm
Location: Virtual meeting using Zoom - can be found below, on our private Facebook page, MeetUp, or by emailing
Erin.Goding@dsfflorida.org
Elyse Mundelein will be teaching a virtual Zumba class! We will post the Zoom information of the event below or on our private Facebook page. No experience needed, just get ready to dance and have fun!
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Join our Club 321 virtual meet-up for middle and high-schoolers! |
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When: Every Wednesday
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Virtual meeting using Zoom - can be found below, on our private Facebook page, MeetUp, or by emailing
Erin.Goding@dsfflorida.org
This is a great opportunity for our middle and high school group to socialize, engage, and connect with each other. We'll have something new and different each week!
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Virtual T21 Social Network (18+)
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When: Every Thursday
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Virtual meeting using Zoom - can be found below, on our private Facebook page, MeetUp, or by emailing
Erin.Goding@dsfflorida.org
This is a great opportunity for our adult group to socialize, engage, and connect with each other. We'll have something new and different each week!
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F^3 : Fantastic Foundation Friends
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When: Select Fridays
Time: 4:00pm-4:30pm and 4:30pm-5:00pm
Location: Virtual meeting using Zoom - can be found below, on our private Facebook page, MeetUp, or by emailing
Erin.Goding@dsfflorida.org
POWER UP!
This program will provide opportunities for small groups to form relationships and friendships in a virtual environment. Sessions are capped at 5 participants to allow for deeper engagement and a more personal experience. We'll build conversational skills and independence with the goal of forming true friendships over time. Each session will be offered to different age groups. Ex: Girls aged 11-14 for one session and boys aged 15-18 for a different session, women 25-30, etc.
Schedule:
December 4 at 4:00pm Women 25-30
December 4 at 4:30pm Men 19-24
December 11 at 4:00pm Women 31+
December 11 at 4:30pm Men 25-30
December 18 at 4:00pm Girls 11-14
December 18 at 4:30pm Men 31+
December 25 - OFF for Christmas
January 1 - OFF for New Years
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Technology Tip and Tricks
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CamScanner is an app for your smartphone that allows you to make PDF files by just taking a picture of the document.
Save all your documents and share them with ease! No more need for a trip to Office Depot to scan documents. Simply use your smartphone to take a picture of your document and the application does the rest. This free and useful app will become your new favorite as you organize receipts, letters, and more! You can save the PDF to your camera roll or send it via email.
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Let's get social!
Follow us on social media for more information and to stay up-to-date on our upcoming events.
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