January Programs
- Saturday, January 15 - Lucky Littles (family) Play Date at Oviedo on the Park (10:00am)
- Saturday, January 15 - Young Explorers (family) Play Date at Oviedo on the Park (10:00am)
- Saturday, January 22 - iCan! Programs / College & Career Prep @ UCF (9:00am)
- Sunday, January 23 - T21 Community Service Project - Volunteering at Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls (3:00pm)
- Monday, January 24 - Tour of Champions Planning Committee Meeting (7:00pm on Zoom)
- Tuesday, January 25 - Parent Information Meeting: Insulin Resistance - Let's Get Healthy in 2022! (7:00pm on Zoom)
- January 26 - 29 Talk Tools Evaluations
- Saturday, January 29 - New Baby! New Family! Welcome Breakfast @ The Citrus Club (10:00am)
Weekly Programs
- 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)
February 2022
- Sunday, February 6 - Club 321 @ Orlando REP (1:30pm)
- Monday, February 7 - SPIRIT NIGHT @ Chipotle (Orange Ave / downtown) (4:00pm-8:00pm)
- Saturday, February 12 - iCan! Programs @ UCF (9:00am)
- Monday, February 14 - Valentine's Day SPIRIT NIGHT @ Tijuana Flats (Orange Ave / downtown) (5:00pm - 8:00pm)
- Saturday, February 26 - iCan! Programs at UCF (last day / graduation)
- Sunday, February 27 - 12th Annual Tour of Champions Bowl-A-Thon (1:30pm)
March 2022
- Monday, March 21, 2022 - World Down Syndrome Day Celebration!
October 2022
- Down Syndrome Awareness Month Celebration
November 2022
- Camping Jamboree - November 11-13 - Jetty Park (new weekend this year)
December 2022
- It's a Wonderful Life - Winter Wonderland Celebration
Don't want to miss out on our events?
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New Bowl-A-Thon Incentive!
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Are you a wizard or a muggle? Autobot or a decepticon?
Find out on a trip to Universal Orlando with 4 (one day) park to park tickets!
Here's how it works:
- Every $25 donated will receive an entry to the raffle.
- Team Captains will receive an entry for every $100 the team raises during the incentive period.
- Promotion runs from 1/11 through 1/21 (midnight).
- The winner will be selected at random.
Be sure to invite your friends and family to cheer on your team!
*Block-out dates apply and are subject to change without notice. Tickets do not include parking. Tickets do not include admission into Universal CityWalk clubs. Tickets are not valid for separately ticketed events including, but not limited to, Halloween Horror Nights.
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Bowl-A-Thon 2022 – NO LIMITATIONS! |
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You can have a 2022 Bowl-a-thon team no matter where you live or what plans you have on February 27. Thanks to COVID, we are all used to living in a hybrid world! The upside is a hybrid world makes it
sooo easy
for ANYONE and EVERYONE to have a team!
There are NO LIMITATIONS!
By joining the Tour of Champions with a virtual team, you will have the opportunity to participate in all of the fantastic incentives, AND you will even be able to bid on our online auction. This year we will have the option to join us on Facebook LIVE the day of the event if you want to see the Tour in action.
WE NEED YOU! As an organization, we go out of our way to limit the out-of-pocket expenses for ALL of our programs and events. To maintain that kind of experience, we need to raise more funds because we are GROWING!
In 2010, we had about 200 people at our It's A Wonderful Life - Winter Wonderland Party. This year we had over 450 people register! Guess what that means....it costs DOUBLE to host the event.
Our scholarships...growing!
Our programs....growing!
Our membership....growing!
Our camping weekend....growing!
The number of events we do each month....growing!
Our T21, Club 321, Young Explorer, and Lucky Littles....growing!
Our iCan! Programs.....growing!
We used to do about four programs a month. Over the past six months we have held more than 20 programs a month.....we are GROWING! Which is amazing and awesome! We would love to continue to GROW with you and for you!
So, like any household or business that is growing, we have a few options:
- Charge a membership fee
- Charge for events
- Reduce the programs we offer
- Reduce the amount of scholarships we award
- Ask everyone to help support The FOUNDATION by having a team or contributing in some way to the bowl-a-thon.
Let's continue to GROW! Inclusion is gaining momentum.....we would love to see the day where we work ourselves out of a job, but we still have work to do!
We believe we are better when we are all in it together!
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Oviedo on the Park
Play Date for Lucky Littles
(birth - six years old and family)
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Date: Saturday, January 15
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Oviedo on the Park
Oviedo on the Park, 299 Center Lake Ln, Oviedo, FL 32765
Join us for our January Play Date at Oviedo on the Park!
This fabulous outdoor space has a covered playground for the kiddos and pond where you can bring quarters to buy turtle food and feed the turtles! How fun! Also, a large open grassy area for play and running if you want to bring a ball or two!
There is even a splash pad so if the weather is warm - bring your swimsuit! There are many places to eat in the area - so you can pack a picnic lunch or grab a bite at the dining options in the area. Enjoy the GREAT Florida weather by getting together with friends.
Be sure to register for this fun - outdoor - meet-up!
And a BIG THANK YOU to mom, Suzanne Sherrill, for helping us organize and plan this fun family event!
We can't do what we do without YOU!
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Oviedo on the Park
Park Day for Young Explorers
(first to sixth grade and family)
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Date: Saturday, January 15
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Oviedo on the Park
Oviedo on the Park, 299 Center Lake Ln, Oviedo, FL 32765
It's the perfect time of year for a Park Day at Oviedo on the Park! The weather has been beautiful so let's get outside and make some friends! Young Explorers is a group designed for kids in first through sixth grade and their family. It is a way for parents and kids alike to make new friends and share in the journey of life with people who are right where you are. These groups are not only fun for the kids, but they also provide great networking and sharing time for the parents - who is your SLP? How did your insurance approve THAT? What are you using to help with reading...math....or whatever is your hot topic of the month. These are people who will get it and get you without a lot of extra explaining!
Oviedo on Park is an awesome outdoor space with so many things to do! From grassy fields to a walk around the lake where you can feed the ducks (bring a few quarters for food) to a playground and an amphitheater - two hours won't nearly be enough to take it all in. We will meet by the playground and then make our way to the grassy field near the amphitheater to play some outdoor field games like frisbee, hopscotch, and tag.
Grab your water bottle, sunscreen, running/walking shoes, and either a blanket or beach chairs. If you want to pack a picnic lunch and stay with friends or run over to any of the local places to eat - there are many choices close by - you can make a day of enjoying the number one park in Oviedo!
Be sure to register for this fun - outdoor - meet-up!
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Strike DOWN Barriers!
Join our 2022 Bowl-A-Thon Committee
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Want to make a difference while socially-distanced? Join the Bowl-A-Thon Committee!
We are looking for individuals that are committed to help us reach our goal this year. We are just about 45 days from our big event! How can you help?
- Securing auction items (and packaging them in January)
- LEAD the the Corporate Cup Challenge (business teams)
- Help teams and businesses set up Easy as 1-2-3 Fundraisers
- Assist teams set up and promote Spirit Nights
- Join our Corporate Sponsorship team
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Our next meeting is virtual through Zoom on:
Monday, January 24th at 7:00pm
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iCan! Work
2022 Program Application Open
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We are currently accepting applications for our 2022 Spring iCan! Work class. This program is designed to help transition individuals with Down syndrome into the workplace. The program will begin mid-February and run for approximately 16 weeks.
To participate in the iCan! Work Program, an individual must:
- have Down syndrome
- be registered with Vocational Rehabilitation
- have reliable transportation to their assigned worksite
- completed high school and transition programs
The program will include on the job training (OJT) with our community partners: Levy Restaurants (Magic games), Quality One Wireless, and Orlando Health. Additionally, there is a weekly Lunch & Learn program to go over the soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
The goal for every participant is long-term, meaningful employment at a location that is convenient for the employee and the family. Participants are paid when they work and it is free for members to participate in the program. This program requires an interview and acceptance into the program.
There will be evening and weekend shifts with the Orlando Magic games, but most shifts are between 8am and 6pm.
If you have questions about the program, please contact info@dsfflorida or 407.538.3537.
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T21 Volunteering at the Magic!
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Date: Sunday, January 23
Time: 3:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Amway Arena
Are you READY? We will join in the excitement of the Orlando Magic vs. the Chicago Bulls - only this time will see what it is like behind the scenes. This volunteer opportunity is a fantastic way for our members who are 18 and older to see if working at the Magic games (or maybe another sporting venue) is something they would like to do in the future.
We will meet before the game for a light snack, and then we will join the forces of Levy Restaurants and deliver food to the guests. Members who participate will do a bit of walking and need to be ok with fans cheering and loud noises. It is not hard work - just ask Clarissa, Edwin, and Natalia! They LOVE coming to the games - and it will be even more fun working alongside some of their favorite friends!
Space will be limited at this event; RSVP early! Participants need to wear dark/black pants (no jeans) and closed toe shoes.
T21 Social Network is for our members 18 years and older. It is a drop-off program.
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Let's start of 2022 with knowldege and power!
Join us on Tuesday, January 25 at 7 pm on Zoom for "Is Insulin Resistance Preventing You (or your loved one with Down syndrome) From Losing Weight?" with Dr. Allison Haughton-Green, MD, FAAP. This isn't your typical new year's resolution meeting. Dr. Green will share with you why this is important to our families and loved ones. Her journey is a great story, however, she also helped her teenage son with Down syndrome get in shape. You'll be inspired and educated - and who knows, maybe even end 2022 healthier than you started!
We will learn:
- What is insulin resistance?
- What is its role in weight loss?
- How do you diagnosis insulin resistance?
- How do you treat insulin resistance?
- How can I modify my lifestyle to lose weight even though I have insulin resistance?
Dr. Allison Green's education spans from the Pediatric Residency Program, at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando Health, Orlando, FL; Doctorate of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia and Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Howard University, Washington, D.C., Summa Cum Laude. She is Board Certified from the American Board of Pediatrics; and Medical Licensure from the Florida Department of Health. Her societies include: American Society of Bariatric Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association She is the proud mother of twin boys and a member of The FOUNDATION.
Please note: after you register you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link.
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New Parent / New Family Breakfast |
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We are very excited to announce that in January, we will be hosting our first new Family Breakfast and we cordially families who have a loved one age birth - 2 to participate in our "Welcome Baby! Welcome Family!" Breakfast.
We like to think that making friends at The FOUNDATION is like having a warm cup of tea.... it may seem odd to think total strangers will 'just get me' - until they do! We consider members our FOUNDATION family because everyone here will love you, your child and the rest of your family almost as much as you do! We want to see you all succeed. Our goal is to provide a strong foundation of information, resources, programs, and friends.
Come meet other new parents and some of our members. This is a very relaxed breakfast / tea to introduce you to our organization and see how we can support you and your family.
Saturday, January 29, 2022
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Citrus Club 255 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801
(Parking is available in the parking garage and will be covered by The FOUNDATION. Please take a ticket on your way in.)
Please RSVP by January 25
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Club 321
Every little thing is going to be alright!
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Let's kick off the year with a SHOW!
Join us at 1:30 PM on Sunday Feb 6, for Bob Marley's Three Little Bids (a musical) at the Orlando REP Theater.
Date: Sunday, February 6
Time: 1:30 pm to (approx.) 5 pm
Location: Orlando REP Theater, 1001 East Princeton Street, Orlando
PLEASE NOTE: This is a drop-off event, we will have volunteers to assist members as needed. Parents, you are on your own!
About the Show:
The New Year begins with Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, a jammin’ musical featuring the timeless music of Bob Marley and based on the children’s book by his daughter Cedella Marley and adapted for the stage by Michael. J. Bobbitt. Ziggy’s afraid to leave the house. He is too busy worrying about tropical storms, evil spirits, and the sneaky, hair-grabbing trickster, Duppy. But, with the help of his feathered friends, Ziggy learns that “every little thing is gonna be alright!” The legendary reggae artist’s timeless message of peace and love is shared with a new generation of songbirds.
After the show, we will enjoy a picnic snack on the lawn with our friends and play a game of kickball or two.
Be sure to RSVP by Friday, January 28, so we can plan accordingly. Thank you!
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Cheer on the Magic as a volunteer! |
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Why do we volunteer at the Magic games? |
The FOUNDATION works with Levy Restaurants at the Orlando Magic games to provide hospitality experience for the adults in the iCan! Work program. We volunteer alongside our members with Down syndrome, who are paid to work at the games if they are in our iCan! Work program, to raise funds for the program. Our volunteer hours generate over $15,000 each season to help fund this program.
Members 18 and older are welcome to volunteer. We encourage our young adults to try it out! This is a fun way to gain some work experience while enjoying the energy in the Amway Arena. We request that members volunteer the first 3-5 shifts with a family member. If they like it, they can apply for the iCan! Work program and get paid for their shifts.
This is a great way for our members to meet the 'active member' requirement for our scholarships - and have fun at the same time! It's a win-win-win - and hopefully a win for the Magic when you're there!
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We still need volunteers for the following games:
Monday, January 17, 2022 - (5:00pm - 9:00pm)
Friday, January 21, 2022 - (5:00pm - 9:00pm)
Sunday, January 23, 2022 - (4:00pm - 8:00pm)
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 - (5:00pm - 9:00pm)
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Friday, January 28, 2022 - (5:00pm - 9:00pm)
Sunday, January 30, 2022 - (5:00pm - 9:00pm)
Saturday, February 5, 2022 - (3:00pm - 7:00pm)
Sunday, February 6, 2022 - (4:00pm - 8:00pm)
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - (5:00pm - 9:00pm)
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WARNING: FUN AWAITS!
SAVE the DATE!
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Would you like to host a SPIRIT NIGHT to help support your Tour of Champions team - or the FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION team? Spirit Nights are a fun way to raise money and have a good time with friends!
We are looking for a SPIRIT NIGHT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR to help Robin assist our families and teams setting up SPIRIT NIGHT events.
Inclusion is IN
and there are a lot of businesses that want to help us succeed!
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Monday, February 7, is FOUNDATION SPIRIT NIGHT AT CHIPOTLE! You can dine in or order for pick up, and 33% of sales from the evening will support our Tour of Champions Team: Caden's High Rollers!
Check the location (downtown) because the donations are location-specific.
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How do you say I love you? With TACOS, of course! Monday, February 14th, isn't only Valentine's Day - it is also TIJUANA FLATS SPIRIT NIGHT from 5-8pm (see flyer for address.)
Treat the family to a HOT night out and support the Tour of Champions Team: Little Monkeys!
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New date for Jetty Park in 2022 |
Camping Jamboree has grown to be an incredible weekend for our families from across the state. In 2021, we had over 200 campers -- WOW!
In 2o22, Camping Jamboree will be the SECOND weekend of November (not the first weekend.) We want our returning campers to be aware of the change early in the year! Mark your calendars! We have THREE cabins reserved and 15 RV sites along with the community field for tents. We can't wait!!!
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Volunteer Leadership Roles! |
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There are always more opportunities to improve the lives of our members and the community than hours in the day. We want to do it ALL and hope we can find a few more people who would like to give of their time and talent to make it all happen.
We have identified a few key volunteer roles that we would LOVE to fill so we can continue to grow and deliver innovative and meaningful programs. Here are a few of the key roles we would like to fill:
Partners in Education Newsletter Editor - this role would work with our team to create a quarterly newsletter that would go to educators and school administrators. The role would require about 2 hours a month to create a newsletter and help update material for our website. We would love someone who has strong writing / editing skills and a creative eye. An understanding of the public school system and needs of teachers would be a bonus.
Volunteer Coordinator - As our programs continue to grow so do our needs to recruit, train, confirm, and stay in contact with our volunteers. We would love a couple of high energy individuals who are organized, good with spreadsheets, and sending emails /making phone calls to help us continue to grow and nurture our volunteer base. We can't do what we do as an organization without our amazing volunteers! This role would require an average of two hours a week - depending on what events are taking place.
Virtual Program Coordinators - We host three virtual programs a week and would love for a few people to help us continue to grow these great program. We have members from all over the state who join us each week for a variety of topics from Zumba to Bingo and from cooking to drawing. There are various options to help with this need:
- Guest pressenters
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Zoom hosts serve as facilitators who will log into Zoom and introduce the guest, and then monitor the participants for questions or issues during the program. This role would require about one hour a week per program (Zumba, Club 321, and T21 Social Network - you could pick the one you like or do all of them.)
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Program Coordinator/Community Engagement Ambassador would probably take between 4-6 hours a month to set up a schedule and invite guest presenters from community partners and organizations.
Assistant Program Coordinators (In-person events) - We would love to have one or two additional people trained as leaders for all of our events. These individuals would work with Robin to ensure all of the details are in place for our events as well as be her right hand volunteer at events. This is a great role for anyone who loves to throw a party or entertain.
We have several members who serve in volunteer leadership roles already. In addition to our Board of Directors, we would like to recognize the following people who have been instrumental in delivering high quality programs and events to our members:
Annie Vessell - iCan! Surf Coordinator
Suzanne Sherrill - Lucky Littles Coordinator
Claudia Chiorando - Young Explorers Coordinator
Joanne Wood - Bookkeeper
Open - Club 321 Coordinator
Open - T21 Social Network Coordinator
Open -Moms' Night Out Coordinator
Open - Dads' Night Out Coordinator
Open - Easy as 1-2-3 Fundraising Coordinator
Open - Corporate Cup Chair
Open - Tour of Champions (Golf) Chair
If you have not met Alice Riddick yet, you will! She is our iCan! Work Success Coach and Magic Game Supervisor. Alice started with us as a volunteer and has become part of our staff and our family! She doesn't have a child with Down syndrome, but sees the potential in our loved ones just like we do! If there is an event that isn't part of her iCan! Work role, she is always offering to volunteer to ensure our programs are a success.
These roles do not have to be filled by FOUNDATION members - although parents make for AWESOME leaders and volunteers. If you know of someone in the community who would be great at volunteering with us - tell them about the opportunities and ask them to join us by filling our our Volunteer Form and identifying one of the roles listed.
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Shop and donate - it's that easy! |
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The FOUNDATION raises over $4,000 a year
from shoppers like you!
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Amazon Smile is the perfect way to help support The FOUNDATION while you shop this holiday season. This only takes 2 mintues to set up and then you give every time you shop on Amazon - it's that easy!
- 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 Robin.Longley@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 Robin.Longley@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 Robin.Longley@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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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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