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Archive for the ‘DSAOC Center News’ Category

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Birthday Celebrations

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

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DSAOC celebrated the birth of 73 new babies born with Down syndrome in Orange County during 2009.  The boys came in ahead with 41, compared to 32 girls.  Congratulations to all the new parents!

A big thank you goes to the DSAOC Hospital Outreach Committee for their ongoing work with local hospitals and healthcare providers to help identify these births and coordinate early parent contacts.

Congratulations on 10th Anniversary

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

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The Children and Families Commission of Orange County is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010.  With funding from Proposition 10, the Commission has been able to support organizations and projects that help the youngest members of society get a solid start in life.

DSAOC programs such as, Mano a Mano, Partners in Education, and our new pediatric healthcare program have all received funding from the Commission this year.  THANK YOU!

“Adventures in Wonderland”

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

 

alice1Don’t be late for a very important date!
Sixth Annual DSAOC Red Carpet Ball

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Saturday, February 27th
DoubleTree Hotel, 201 East MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92707

For teens and adults with Down syndrome 15 years and older.
Call DSAOC for more info and to register.

Happy New Year!

Friday, January 1st, 2010

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Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe new year!

 

From the DSAOC Board & Staff

 

DSAOC Awarded Grant

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

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In November, DSAOC was awarded a $10,000 grant through the Orange County Community Foundation.

In cooperation with private donors, the Foundation has been working for more than 20 years to improve the quality of life here in our community.

THANK YOU!

300 Join Santa for Breakfast

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

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Our annual holiday event was a great success again this year with more than 300 people dropping by to chat with Santa this past Saturday morning. 

To view some of the photos taken during the breakfast just click here:  Breakfast with Santa 2009

Many thanks to the DoubleTree Hotel, the Volunteer Clowns of Orange County, and our always fabulous volunteers!

Check Out Buddy Walk Photos

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

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A big thank you to the volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, and participants that helped make Buddy Walk a great success again this year!  And, a special shout out to the Team Captains that work so hard!

Buddy Walk contributions will still be accepted through the end of this year, so there’s still time.  We’ll keep you updated.

Be sure to check out the first of our photos from the 2009 Buddy Walk.  It was a beautiful day and these are beautiful photos!  These were all taken by photographer Terrie Tavis.

Click here (use password: sunshine) to view 2009 Buddy Walk Photos.

OCTLA Silent Auction Contribution

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Jacob Braun (Age 21, Tustin)

Jacob Braun (Age 21, Tustin)

  
The Orange County Trial Lawyers Association  generously donated more than $20,000 to DSAOC from a Silent Auction conducted at their Annual OCTLA Top Gun Awards Dinner held at the Balboa Bay Club on Saturday, November 21st.  Board President – Gerard Jensen was joined by Jacob Braun in representing DSAOC at the event.  Jacob did us proud and received a standing ovation following his comments to the audience. 

Thank you to the Officers, Board, and Members of the OCTLA for making this contribution possible.

Buddy Walk Entertainment Line-up

Friday, November 6th, 2009
Kim Holloway & daughter Olivia

Kim Holloway & daughter Olivia

 
In addition to our headliners – THE ENGLISH BEAT…we’ll also have some other exciting live entertainment for you on Buddy Walk Sunday, including Chelsey Sanchez, and the DagumDragon Band with Kim Holloway. 
Schedule of Events
9:00 AM – Registration/Field Access Opens
10:00 AM – Live Entertainment: Chelsey Sanchez
11:00 AM – Buddy Walk
12:00 PM – Live Entertainment: DagumDragon Band
1:00 PM – Live Entertainment: The English Beat
2:00 PM – Event Closes

Chelsey Sanchez & brother Bryce

Chelsey Sanchez & brother Bryce

Remember – lunch will be on your own so we invite you to bring a picnic.  The stadium will also have a concession stand open near Gate 1 for food purchases.  Plus we’ll have lots of your favorite snacks located in booths around the field.  Water will also be available for everyone on the field. 
We’ll see you on Sunday!

Buddy Walk Will Be Broadcast Live

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Even buddy-walk-crowdif you can’t join us at the Buddy Walk this weekend – here’s the next best thing. 

In collaboration with iBN Sports, we are excited to announce that we will be broadcasting live from the DSAOC website. 

This will be our first live broadcast and we know it will enhance our efforts to expand visibility and public awareness. 

So have your friends and family tune in to watch the festivities and live entertainment on the field, as well as all the teams finishing the walk.

BUDDY WALK LIVE

Edwards Lifesciences Grant to DSAOC

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

 

Michael Mussallem - Edwards Lifesciences CEO (center), with Tres Heald and Lanny Hardy

Michael Mussallem - Edwards Lifesciences CEO (center), with Tres Heald-DSAOC Bd. Mbr., and Lanny Hardy

 The Edwards Lifesciences Fund recognized DSAOC as the recipient of one of it’s 2009 community grants during an Awards Reception held on November 12th at their corporate offices. 

Headquartered in Irvine, the company annually provides philanthropic support to local nonprofit organizations in order to advance a variety of worthy projects in the communities where their employees live and work.  

The grant will be used to help fund DSAOC’s initiative to provide healthcare programming for parents and outreach activities to medical professionals.

Weekend Event Raises Awareness & Funds

Monday, October 19th, 2009
Tyler Orbaker, age 6

Tyler Orbaker, age 6

Thanks go to Kevin Orbaker and his family for organizing an event this past weekend at Rudy’s Pub & Grill in Foothill Ranch to help support DSAOC and raise Down syndrome awareness. 

With help from KROQ and DJ Lighting, the event included a free concert by the U2 tribute band, The Joshua Tree.  The event also raised funds with donations going to DSAOC.  Great work Kevin and thanks to all involved – it’s much appreciated! 

The OC Register ran an article about the event on Saturday that includes an interview with Kevin: OC Register Article 10/17/09

Estate Planning Seminar Held at DSAOC

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

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We had a full room of parents attend our seminar on Wednesday, October 14th at the DSAOC Center on the subject of estate planning.  The session was led by Xavier Zatizabal, MBA, a financial planner with MetDESK.  Thanks Xavier!

Be sure to watch the DSAOC calendar for other upcoming workshops on important financial and estate planning topics.

DSAOC Trick or Trunk

Monday, October 12th, 2009

pumpkinWe had more than 100 people attend DSAOC’s Annual Trick or Trunk event on Saturday at Mile Square Regional Park.  Thanks to everyone that helped make it a great success!

REMINDER:  For teens with Down syndrome ages 12 to 17.  This Friday, October 16th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM there’s a Halloween Bash scheduled at the DSAOC Center.  Come dressed in costume and join your friends for an evening of fun and games.  RSVP by calling the Center at 714-540-5794, or online by clicking here.

Shop for Change

Monday, October 5th, 2009

3One of the new features on our website is an exciting and unique online auction and shopping site, powered by Dubli.  And, DSAOC can receive up to 30% in commissions every time you use it.  Here’s a chance to find some amazing deals and help DSAOC at the same time.  

 

Ready for a new Mercedes, BMW, or Porsche?  Dubli has a $47,000 car surprise on auction now… click here to check it out: https://us.dubli.com/luxury-sports-car__3_4176

Registration is free and everyone that signs up by November 9th will get free credits to get started.  Shop for Change to learn more about the site and find out how to get your free credits!

Add the Allergan Foundation…

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

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 …to the growing list of organizations, foundations, and corporations supporting DSAOC programs.

This week, the Allergan Foundation awarded DSAOC with a grant to help in our healthcare education and pediatric clinic campaign.  Others will be announced soon.  Among those already committed to the clinic campaign: OC Children & Families Commission, Ingram Micro Corporation, Valero Energy, Team Up Foundation, and Clipped Wings Foundation.  And let’s not forget all the individual donations to support the clinic campaign – THANK YOU!

2009 Family Camp

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

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We had 17 families spend their Labor Day Weekend at Family Camp held up at YMCA Camp Oakes.  Among the many outdoor activities available to enjoy during their stay were swimming, hiking, archery, canoeing, and horseback riding.  Many thanks to Marissa Little for being the driving force in organizing the camp, along with Kristi Golden and Sandi Curtis for participating on the planning committee.  All reports back sound like everyone had a fantastic weekend!

Welcome Gabbi!

Monday, September 21st, 2009

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We’re happy to report that Kellie (Perez) Tuchowsky and her husband Frank are the proud new parents of Gabriella – born on Friday, September 18th.  Kellie is on leave from her role as the DSAOC Director of Community Relations and will return to the office in November. 

Congratulations to Kellie, Frank, and Gabbi’s sister-Alex!

Bike Camp Location a Big Hit

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Soka University Campus

Soka University Campus

It’s safe to say there was strong consensus among families participating in the 2009 Orange County Bike Camp that the location was a hit! Soka University in Aliso Viejo generously allowed our campers to take over its main gymnasium facility for an entire week in August. The setting was both beautiful and well suited for learning how to ride a bike. And, the air conditioning certainly helped keep everyone cool during the process. More than 98% of the families gave the university the highest rating in a post-camp survey.

Many thanks to Soka University, its administration and staff for helping to make the camp such a great success!

DSAOC Board Appointments

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

DSAOC recently announced the appointment of three new members to serve on its Board of Directors. Brenda Deeley, Senior Vice President at Porter Novelli; Ira Lott, MD, Chief of Neurology at UCI and CHOC’s Children’s Hospital; and Stephanie Ontiveros, a teacher at Oxford Academy were all selected to serve a two year term on the organization’s governing body. Welcome to the Board!