Summer 2005 Newsletter

Annual Family Picnic
It’s that time of year again, plans are well underway for the 3rd Annual Picnic, you won’t want to miss it! Mark Saturday, September 17th on your calendar, from 2-4p.m. Rain date is Sunday, September 18th, same time. The location is the Magnetic Hill Lions Club, take route #126 off the Trans Canada highway coming into Moncton. The club is located directly behind the Magnetic Hill School. This event is an RSVP event, please call the Greater Moncton Down Syndrome Society line at 387-8592, with your families names and the number of persons that will be attending. Also specify if there are any food allergies so other arrangements can be made. The famous “Noah’s Ark” French fry truck will be serving up their home cut fries again, treats and drinks will also be provided. Come enjoy: Big Mike jumping tent, a visit from a fire truck and hopefully ‘Little Albert” again, face painting, crafts and the opportunity to meet old friends and new families from within the province of New Brunswick. Remember to bring a blanket or lawn chairs as there are limited picnic tables on the site. We are anticipating over 200 people again this year, come join us and bring the whole family. We are hoping to have student volunteers again this year on the site. If you wish to volunteer at the picnic in any way, please call us soon.

3rd Annual Fundraiser Great Success
On May 14th, over 260 people enjoyed a fun filled evening at the Howard Johnsons Hotel here in Moncton. This annual fundraiser “Oppor-TUNE-ity Knocks” was a huge success, raising $12,000.00 for the society. Plans are already underway for the 2006 event. If you would like to come on board the committee we will be meeting in early September, call Vicky O’Connor at 859-7199. Many thanks to the corporate sponsors and businesses who generously donated auction items, it was a great evening. Winner of the VIA RAIL trip for two to Montreal was Steve and Norma Ward of Moncton. Congratulations! Make plans to attend this event next year and purchase your tickets early, as we are anticipating a sold out venue again.

Annual General Meeting & New Board of Directors
On June 7th at Hillside Baptist Church, the Annual Meeting for the GMDSS was held. Guest speaker for the evening was Mr. Mike Jeffries, he unveiled the recent project of the School/Work sub committee, the “Transition binder”. Once completed, this binder will be an invaluable resource for families, schools and agencies in the Greater Moncton community. Check out the website for more information on this project at www.greatermonctondss.com. Yearly reports were given and a new Board of Directors elected for 2005/2006.
Chairperson: Kate Cober
Vice president: Darlene Jordan
Secretary: Lisa Baker
Treasurer: Rob Higgins
Board members: Eric Arsenault, Vicky O’Connor, Beth Perry, Connie Melanson-Savoy, Kerri Porter, Suzanne Harrison, Pamela Grover and Melanie Barton.

The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of every month at METS beginning in September.

Past President Says Thanks!
On behalf of myself and my family, a heart filled thanks for allowing me to chair and serve on the GMDSS Board of Directors since our beginning, four years ago this past June. It amazes me how much our membership has grown and how many families we have supported and provided services to during these years. I know the timing was perfect and the need great for the GMDSS to be active in the Greater Moncton community. As Chair, I had confirmation daily that “families want to be connected” to the society as we supported many families throughout the province of New Brunswick. To the many volunteers who came on Board to get this group going, thank you so much. Our family has been blessed to meet so many wonderful families and make long lasting friends that we would of never met had our son not been born nine years ago.
Vicky O’Connor

New Support Group starts up
In April, we had the opportunity to support a group of parents who are getting a new support group going in the Pennfield, St. Stephen area. There were families there who traveled from Saint John, and the surrounding areas to be with us. If you are living outside Saint John area to the St. Stephen border area and would like to connect with this group call Anne Noddin at: 506-755-2469 or Stacey Wells at: 506-456-2702

Special Recognition & Thanks
This past year the GMDSS received donations through employee giving from the following companies: United Way Moncton region, Farm Credit Canada Employees. Thank you to the employees and families who designated the society as their charity of choice. These funds will assist the ongoing projects the society is under taking this coming year.

Library Resources being well used
Through the United Way Response Funding Grant the society received, we were able to purchase many new books related to Down syndrome. These are now in place at the Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe Public libraries for you to rent out. We know these resources are being well utilized by families, students and the community. A list of the locations and book list is available on the GMDSS website. Donations of books and videos have also been made to: Moncton Hospital, Georges Dumont Hospital, Early Childhood Stimulation, South East Rural Early Intervention, Public Health and the Autism Resource Centre.

Awareness posters & brochures now available
The GMDSS awareness poster “Let Me In” is now available for display and our new brochure is available in both languages by contacting the society. In September, the society will be placing them in local schools and physicians offices in the Greater Moncton area.

National Down Syndrome Awareness Week is celebrated November 1-7th

9th World Down Syndrome Congress
The world DS conference is being held on August 22-27th, 2006 in Vancouver, B.C. For more information go to www.cdss.ca and click on the World Congress link.

Special Olympics Summer Games
Congratulations to all of the athletes, volunteers and coaches who participated in the Summer Games from July 22-24, it was a great success! Moncton won gold in softball, way to go, we are proud of your efforts!

Special Olympics fall program & Registration
To register for the fall program of Special Olympics in the Moncton area, contact Glen Agnew at 855-6720. Registration for the fall programs will be held in late September. There is a Pee Wee program for children ages 5-12 years on Saturdays at Beaverbrook School. Other programs Special Olympics offers are: swimming, bowling and speed skating. Registration cost is $30.00 for the year. Interested in volunteering? Call Glen ASAP.

Hospital Gift Packets available for new families
The GMDSS offers a hospital or home visit to a new family either upon receiving a pre-natal diagnosis or after the baby is born. Someone representing the society will deliver a hospital packet and visit with the family. The Moncton Hospital and Georges L Dumont staff can contact the society on your behalf if necessary.

School presentations for staff and students
The GMDSS welcomes the invitation to do a presentation on Down syndrome to your child’s school, staff and students. Just contact the society at 387-8592 to request this service.