Thank you for celebrating WDSD 2022 with us! |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us at Mellow Mushroom on World Down Syndrome Day - March 21st! We had over 240 members registered to attend - our biggest WDSD celebration ever! We love to gather and celebrate all those we love with designer genes! We also loved seeing all of your posts on social media! |
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Dream Mania: a night Orlando will always remember! |
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What began as a dream request to remodel a bathroom to help Vincent's sister and family quickly became one of the biggest nights for individuals with Down syndrome in Central Florida! Charlie Rocket and The Dream Machine Foundation came to town and.....
Oh...WHAT A NIGHT!
This evening was an incredible feat - not just by the AMAZING athletes but by everyone involved! From the individuals who support Charlie Rocket to the crew that set up the event at the Dr. Phillips Center to the families, donors, and news stations that came - it was a fast and furious couple of weeks that were made possible by one of our outstanding board members, John Chiorando! We can't wait to give you a peek at what it looked like behind the scenes leading up to the big event and TRIPLE V - Vincent - our iCan! Work employee turned professional wrestler! Never stop dreaming big for the one you love, and always remember to make the most of EVERY OPPORTUNITY!
STAY TUNED! Our "behind the scenes" video is coming soon!
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April
- Friday, April 8 - Deadline for Summer Scholarships
- Saturday, April 9 - Club 321 - Victory Martial Arts in Maitland
- Thursday, April 21 - Parent Informational Meeting - Potty Training
- Saturday, April 23 - iCan! Surf @ New Smyrna Beach
- Sunday, April 24 - Dads Night Out with Kids - Orlando City Soccer
May
- Sunday, May 1 - Lucky Littles and Young Explorers - Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall
- Saturday, May 14 - T21 May Outing - Movie Night!
- Sunday, May 22 - Club 321 May Outing - 80s Roller Skating Party! 2:00-5:00pm
June
- June 13 - 17 Advocacy Camp
July
- July 24 - 29 iCan! Bike Camp @ Orange County Convention Center
November
- Camping Jamboree - November 11-13
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)
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iCan! Bike Camp
Registration Open Now!
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This will be our 11th year offering the community iCan! Bike Camp in the summer! Here is a look back at some of the memories we have made over the years. We can't wait to see our next group of riders in JULY! |
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Register now to be an iCan! Bike volunteer for 2022!
Volunteers must be at least 15 years old or accompanied by an adult. Due to the number of volunteers that apply, priority will be given to individuals who can commit to helping for the entire week in July.
When: July 24 - July 29, 2022
Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
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**Applications close on April 8th**
To apply or get more information about The FOUNDATION'S scholarship program, visit our website.
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Club 321 - Victory Martial Arts in Maitland |
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Date: Saturday, April 9
Time: 1:30pm - 4 :30pm
Location: Victory Martial Arts in Maitland
457 Orlando Ave S, Maitland, FL 32751
Club 321 (middle and high school-aged members) are invited to join us for a karate lesson from Victory Martial Arts in Maitland After the Karate lesson we will be walking with volunteers to Jeremiah's Italian Ice right next door for a treat!
Please note, that this is a drop-off event, we will have volunteers to assist with members.
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April Parent Informational Meeting - Potty Training for ALL Ages! |
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Date: Thursday, April 21
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Virtual Zoom meeting online!
ο»ΏBuying every single book about potty training?
Tired of googling different methods that just don't seem to help?
Then this meeting is for YOU!
The Step by Step behavior team (Ali and Jordan Holt) will be presenting an in-depth look at various toilet trainings based on behavior analysis. They will review both the components of the toilet trainings and discuss common problems associated with toilet training in general. Specific questions by attendees will be addressed and materials provided.
You don't even have to go anywhere - we will be presenting on Zoom!
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Dads Afternoon Out with Kids |
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Come out and enjoy an afternoon of getting to know other DSFF Dads while taking in a game of Major League Soccer with the kids! We will be cheering on the Orlando City Soccer Club as they take on The New York Red Bulls!
This is a great opportunity to connect with others in our community, make new friends, and share the excitement of a sports game with the kids!
Your admission (includes children) will be covered by
ο»ΏThe FOUNDATION! Please RSVP by Sunday, April 10 - thank you!
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We have heard that there is interest in adding an occasional Mom's Night In (on Zoom) back on the calendar. If this is something you'd like to do and/or help host, please let us know. We have started to do our MNO events in person but would be happy to get a few virtual nights on the calendar if enough people would like to participate. Please email Robin.Longley@dsfflorida.org if this is something you would like to see us put back on the calendar! |
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Get out to enjoy the sun and the sea and learn how to surf in 2022!
iCan! Surf is designed to teach the fundamentals of surfing. All ages and all abilities are WELCOME!
April iCan! Surf will take place on Saturday, April 23 in New Smyrna Beach, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Cost is $20 per participant, and a t-shirt is included with registration!
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Lucky Littles and Young Explorers |
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Date: Sunday, May 1st
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: The Florida Mall
8001 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, 32809
Join us for this TWO-in-ONE Colorful Play Date for Young Explorers and Lucky Littles!
The Young Explorers (members in 1st through 6th grade) and Lucky Littles (members from birth to age 8) will be having a combined meet-up at Crayola Experience Orlando, on Sunday, May 1st! Come and make some colorful memories with the kiddos while connecting with FOUNDATION families!
Discover the magic of color at Crayola Experience, Crayolaβs premier, one-of-a-kind family attraction! Dozens of hands-on, creative activities and a full day of fun awaits families at The Florida Mall. Bigger, brighter and bolder than ever, the colorful adventures of Crayola Experience help kids and adults alike explore art and technology, express their creativity and experience color in a whole new way. Get ready to make colorful family memories that will last a lifetime!
A BIG Thank you to Lucky Littles Coordinator - Suzanne Sherrill, and Young Explorer's Coordinator - Claudia Chiorando, on helping us plan and host this colorful event!
Admission will be covered by The FOUNDATION, immediate family only please!
Children two and under are free!
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We had a FANTASTIC time watching CATS at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center on April 3! Our next outing will be a movie in May! Registration will open soon! Can't wait to see you soon! |
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April Calendar for Zumba,
Club 321 & T21
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Virtual Zumba with Elyse! |
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When: Every Tuesday
Time: 4:00pm
Location: Virtual Zoom meeting - link will be shared on our private Facebook page, Meetup, or by emailing:
Elyse Mundelein will be teaching a virtual Zumba class! We will post the Zoom information each week 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 Zoom meeting - link will be shared on our private Facebook page, Meetup, or by emailing:
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! Join us for a fun hour with friends!
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Virtual T21 Social Network (18+) |
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When: Every Thursday
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Virtual Zoom meeting - link will be shared on our private Facebook page, Meetup, or by emailing:
ο»ΏCaroline.Sanchez@dsfflorida.org
This is a great opportunity for our adults (18 and older) group to socialize, engage, and connect with each other. We'll have something new and different each week!
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Who will be our next
Marketing / Social Media Intern?
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"Screen time for kids is tricky, and even adults struggle with appropriately managing their internet, TV, and cell phone usage."
Check out this blog post with suggestions about how to maintain a healthy balance.
These 6 tips can help you trim your children's screen time when not in school:
1. Be accountable. Set expectations with your kids and set goals to be intentional about reducing screen time.
2. Be realistic. If your kids are spending a lot of leisure time on screens, including watching TV, start by setting smaller, more attainable goals. Instead of jumping right to the recommended one to two hours or less per day, start by cutting their current screen time in half.
3. Be engaged. After school or work, spend time each day talking face to face with kids and give them your full attention.
4. Put hand-held devices away. During screen-free hours, put devices away or at a charging station in a common area so they're not attracting your kids' attention.
5. Create phone-free zones in the home. Making family meal areas a phone-free zone is an easy way to start.
6. Go outside. Putting down the phone and taking a walk or playing outdoors increases your endorphins and provides that feeling of happiness in your brain, boosting your mood and improving your physical health.
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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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