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November

  • November 13 - iCan Work (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
  • November 15 - Deadline to sign up for Thanksgiving Holiday Assistance
  • November 15 - iCan Work (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
  • November 16 - iCan! Programs at UCF
  • November 17 - Club 321 (middle and high school)
  • November 17 - iCan Work (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
  • November 17 - Zumba w/ Elyse
  • November 21 - Play Date at MyGym Waterford Lakes
  • November 29 - Deadline to apply for Oral Motor Evaluations
  • November 29 - iCan Work (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
  • November 30 - Deadline to sign up for Spring Scholarships


December

  • December 9 - T21 Social Network (18+)
  • December 10 - Bowling Committee Meeting
  • December 13 - Winter Wonderland Party: It's a Wonderful Life
  • December 16 - The Nutcracker


January 2020

  • January 18 - iCan! Programs at UCF
  • January 15-18 Oral Motor Evaluations


February 2020

  • February 16 - 10th Annual Tour of Champions Bowl-A-Thon
  • February 22 - iCan! Programs at UCF
  • February 29 - iCan! Programs at UCF

July 2020

  • July 19 -24 - iCan Bike Camp





Don't want to miss out on our events?
Click  here !
NEW Bowl-A-Thon incentive!
Ready to have dinner and catch a movie...
without the kids?
Here's how to participate in our next DATE NIGHT incentive:

  • 1 entry per $25 donated (for donors).
  • 1 entry per $100 raised (for team captains).
  • Incentive began 11/4.
  • Winner will be chosen randomly on 11/15 (midnight).

What does the incentive include?

  • $50 AMC (movie) gift card.
  • $50 4 Rivers gift card.
  • Babysitting for up to 5 hours (must reside in Orange or Seminole County for sitter to be provided by The FOUNDATION) or $50 Visa gift card to cover babysitting cost.

This year we hope to raise $321,000 as we continue to expand our programs and offerings. We would love to do this and more in 2020 but we can only reach our goals with YOUR help!

This isn't just about money - this is about offering more and more opportunities for our loved ones to be involved, accepted, understood and have more and more doors opened to them in the future. Together we are better !

🏃🏃‍What are you waiting for? Click on the link below ⬇️to get started! 
https://secure.qgiv.com/event/touocha202/

Be sure to invite your friends and family to cheer on your team!  
Tour of Champions!
This is The FOUNDATION'S primary (and only ) fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the Bowl-a-thon go directly to our families for scholarships and programs. Last year we exceeded our fundraising goal, allowing us to provide more opportunities for our members to get involved in the community, gain additional academic skills, receive speech and ABA therapy, go camping and fishing, learn to ride a two-wheel bike, and much more!

Our purpose is to show that when POTENTIAL is given OPPORTUNITY , the outcome is SUCCESS ! 💚🎳

Need to set up a team?
Looking how to donate?
Want to cheer on? 

The 2020 TOUR OF CHAMPIONS 
BOWL-A-THON

Sunday, February 16, 2020
1:30pm - 4:00pm

Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center 
10749 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32817
Calling all volunteers!
MAGICAL opportunities
heading your way!
Come volunteer with us in a fast-paced, fun environment and help make a difference. This opportunity provides our adults with Down syndrome the opportunity to gain meaningful employment experience (they earn a paycheck for every shift) while it allows our volunteers to help us raise funds and FUN for the program.

We encourage volunteers to do a minimum of 5 games for the season. It is a great way for work teams to give back and a fun way to spend an evening making a difference. If you cannot attend, please spread the word!
*Must be 18 years old or older
After you sign up, we will send you an email with all of the details. Thank you - we can not run our iCan Work program without awesome volunteers like you!
Camping Jamboree!
What's more fun than camping out on the beach?
 Being surrounded by amazing friends and family! (plus smores!)

Here's a recap of our 2019 Camping Jamboree!
Adult Down Syndrome Clinic
A special THANK YOU for all of our volunteers, medical professionals and participants for making this day a success!
Spring Scholarships are OPEN!
The FOUNDATION has awarded almost $1 million since we began our scholarship program. Members and providers have all been positively impacted and we hope to offer even more opportunities by achieving our fundraising goal of $321,000 at our 2020 Bowl-A-Thon!

Here's what one mom had to say about her son's experience with the Swim Scholarship :
"One of his greatest achievements was to swim independently at 4 years old! It was due to this awesome scholarship and the amazing teachers. What a joy for him to be able to participate in water activities with his peers and feel included at the pool, playing freely. It boosted his self-esteem as well and impacted his success at physical therapy." 

-Luciana R.
For more information, email erin.goding@dsfflorida.org
or call/text 407-538-3537.
Bowl-A-Thon Committee Members needed!
We are raising the bar to $321,000 for our 10th anniversary and need a GREAT team to help us make it the best year yet!



We are looking for enthusiastic and creative individuals to serve on on our our  2020 Tour of Champions
Committee.

This will be our 10th Bowl-A-Thon
and we'd love to have  YOU  on board!



If you would like to be part of the team which puts on our ONLY FUNDRAISER for the year, please email Camille.Gardiner@dsfflorida.org



Come help us make this the BEST YEAR YET!

Our next meeting is December 10th at 7pm at Boardwalk Bowl.
It is a short-term commitment that only requires a few hours a month between now and our Bowl-a-thon.
Giving Back
As we head into the holidays, we want all of our members to celebrate with a nice meal that they can enjoy with their loved ones.  

The FOUNDATION continues our tradition this season, 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
Friday, November 15, 2019
Club 321

Date : Sunday, November 17th

Time : 12:00pm - 4:00pm (times subject to movie showing)

Location : Subject to available movie times

What : Lunch and a movie! Our middle and high school group will be getting together for the afternoon to enjoy a yummy lunch and a movie! Location TBD until movie showings are finalized.

Cost : The FOUNDATION will cover your movie ticket, attendees should bring money for lunch!
Zumba with Elyse
Our very own Elyse Mundelein is hosting another FREE Zumba class at The Zoo Health Club Oviedo! No membership at The Zoo is needed.

When : Sunday, November 17

Time : 3:45pm for check in, dancing begins at 4:00pm!

Where : Zoo Health Club
1173 Oviedo Mall Blvd
Oviedo Fl 32765

You do not need to know how to dance, just bring a smile :)

The Zoo Health Club has been a wonderful supporter of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida. They want to extend a warm welcome to all of our members to join Elyse!
Play Date
Date : November 21st

Time : 9:30am-11:00am

Location : MyGym at Waterford Lakes
11555 Lake Underhill Rd, Orlando, FL 32825

Age limit: 0-5 years old. Limited spaces available!


Please email Erin Godin g to RSVP.

Giving Tuesday - save the date!
Why Choose The FOUNDATION?


You know why - it is exactly the reason you are a FOUNDATION member, volunteer or partner. 
And that is precisely why when you spread the word, people will listen!
Another GREAT reason:
Spread the Word!


Will YOU help The FOUNDATION on this National Day of Giving? 
It's as easy as:

  • Posting YOUR story about how The FOUNDATION has helped your child/family/journey on social media using:

#WhyIamThankful 
#Give2DSFF 
#Dec3DoGoodDSFF
#Dec3FeelGoodDSFF

  • And add a one day fundraiser for any amount you want to raise: $21 $210 $321 to your social media page (click here to learn how)
T21 Social Network (18+)
Date : Monday, December 9th, 2019
Time : 6pm - 8pm
Location : East Orlando (near UCF) (address to be provided after registration)

Celebrate the holidays with friends! Our T21 Social Network crew will be getting together for a white elephant gift exchange, crafts, and dinner. It's a wonderful opportunity to make friends and get into the holiday spirit!

To learn about a white elephant gift exchange, click here: https://www.whiteelephantrules.com/

Cost : FREE - just bring an item from home for the white elephant gift exchange!
Winter Wonderland Holiday Party
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Please Join Us
Friday, December 13th
6 - 9 pm
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
 
The FOUNDATION is very proud to once again provide our members the opportunity to enjoy a fun night of great food and entertainment as we celebrate the wonderful lives of our friends and families!

We can't wait to dance the night away as we ring in the Holiday Season!
Space is limited, please RSVP below.
The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker


Date: December 16th

Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm

Where: Orange County Convention Center
9800 International Dr, Orlando, Florida 32819
 
 Join us for the Central Florida Ballet's Nutcracker recognized as 'one of the top five productions in the nation' by CNN Headline News and has become known to many as the "pyrotechnic Nutcracker" thanks to it's coverage in USA Today. National coverage has also been provided by ABC News, Wall Street Journal, and the Southeast Tourism Society.
 
 The Central Florida Ballet adds surprising pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics to this fairy-tale that keep students interested and engaged in the story. Our December 16th performance for local school students is narrated and adapted to one hour.
 
 
Cost : $5 (Actual cost is $10 but The FOUNDATION is covering 50% so you only pay $5 per person over 2). The Convention Center also charges a discounted rate of $10 for parking.
Happy Thanksgiving! (#WhyIamThankful)
'Tis the season to be thankful!

📸 Show us why you are thankful using our new Facebook frame:
Click here to add the frame to your profile picture.

Don't forget to use #WhyIAmThankful and tell us your story 😊


Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The FOUNDATION!

We are grateful for your help and dedication. 

Technology Tip and Tricks
There's really no way to avoid it: the holiday season is stressful.

With all the gift shopping, parties and overnight guests it might start to feel like the walls are closing in, but there's a smartphone app that can help you through them.

You shop. Amazon gives
The holidays are just around the corner!
Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida when you shop through their link. 
First, go to  www.smile.amazon.com  and register to donate to the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida. After that, every time you shop, Amazon smile will automatically donate .5% of your purchase to The FOUNDATION. 
 
Let's get social!
Follow us on social media for more information
and to stay updated on our upcoming events!