Winter 2005 Newsletter

Past News
United Way Response Project
The United Way Response Project is completed. Through this we were able to purchase and place many new books and resources in French and English at the Moncton, Riverview & Dieppe libraries. Donations of books & videos were made to: Early Childhood Stimulation, South East Rural Early Intervention, Public Health, Moncton Hospital and Dr. Georges L-Dumont. Special thanks to the United Way of Greater Moncton/Southeastern N.B. Inc. and to all those who have financially supported the society through payroll deductions last year.

Fall Picnic
What a great day we had! There were 197 people there, lots of food, the children had a blast, parents met new friends, our 20 volunteers were awesome (the parents really appreciated your help, it made all the difference), and the weather cooperated. Special thanks to the Magnetic Hill Lions Club for all your hard work and kindness. Families traveled from Saint John, Fredericton, Burnt Church and throughout the Greater Moncton area. You won’t want to miss this event next year!



National Down Syndrome Awareness Week
The National Down Syndrome Awareness Week (November 1-7th) was celebrated with a public meeting at Hillside Baptist Church with 40 plus attending. Committee reports were given, testimonial shared by a Dad, GMDSS Awareness poster unveiled, a special presentation was made to Keith Gale for his great photos taken at our events. Guest speaker was Jocelyn Campbell, Occupational Therapist with Extra Mural. Thanks Jocelyn for a great presentation!

1st Couples Night Out
During National Down Syndrome Awareness Week, we hosted our first Couples Night Out at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge. We had 16 in attendance, great food, relaxed evening and all went home with a door prize. Thanks to the Wildcats organization for the tickets and Bob Esson for his homemade fudge.

CDSS Billboard Campaign
Four Awareness billboards were placed in Moncton & Dieppe in high traffic areas, did you see them? They were to remain up for a week, but stayed for over a month. Guess those cold days were to our benefit.

Le syndrome de Down: les faits
The GMDSS and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society co-shared the reprinting and French translation of this brochure. Special thanks to Pierre Beriault who has provided the French translations for the recent projects we have done. This brochure is available free from the CDSS web site at www.cdss.ca. GMDSS also has copies available free of charge. Click here to preview the brochure.

Speaking Invitations & Presentations
The GMDSS recently did presentations on Down syndrome to the faculty of Magnetic Hill School and a Kiwanis luncheon meeting. Contact the society if you would like one of our volunteers or parents to speak to your group.

Upcoming News & Events
2nd Couples Night Out
A 2nd Couples Night Out is planned for Saturday, February 19th at 7:00 PM at the home of Steven and Beth Perry. They live at 172 Lady Guinevere Drive in Camelot Estates. Take the Old Shediac Rd. past Stirling Apples, take the second entrance to Camelot Estates on to Glastonbury St., go to the end and you’ll see the Perry’s home nestled in the woods. If you plan on attending, call the society or email us at grmctdss@rogers.com to confirm. You will be contacted to bring your favorite dish and/or dessert. We will have a Yankee Swap, every person attending please bring a wrapped gift (man & woman, $5.00 limit) Come out meet some new families, relax and have a fun evening.

Public Meeting: February 22, 20005
We are pleased to have as our guest speaker Dr. M. Hurst (Pediatrician) who practices in Moncton. Dr. Hurst will speak specifically on Growth & Development as it relates to Down syndrome. There will be a time after for questions and refreshments. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM at Hillside Baptist Church, 2290 Mountain Road. Parking and entrance is on the lower level parking lot. This evening is open to all families, members, educators, agencies and service providers that have an interest in Down syndrome.

Tickets will be available to be purchased for the upcoming fundraiser "Oppor-TUNE-ity Knocks ® 2005" to be held in May. Members from the Fundraising committee will be on hand prior to the meeting and after to answer your questions. More details below!

GMDSS Awareness Posters
Have you seen our new posters yet? They can be viewed soon on our web site at www.greatermonctondss.com . If you would like to order them, they are available in French & English. Our goal is to see them in all schools, hospitals, and doctors offices in 2005. We are in need of some volunteers to deliver the posters and our new GMDSS brochure to these locations, do you have some time in March to help us with this? We are seeking a 2 hour commitment.

GMDSS Web Site
Visit us online in February at www.greatermonctondss.com. A very special THANK- YOU to Serge Babineau for donating his time and talents to designing the site, it looks great! The photos on the web site were taken by Keith Gale, thanks for your time and dedication to the society at all of our events over the last 2 years. We will miss your family as you move to Nova Scotia.

Adults With Down Syndrome: Understanding Their Complex Health Needs
CDSS and the GMDSS have available a free DVD on this presentation. For a copy contact either group.

CDSS 17th National Conference
CDSS 17th National Conference is taking place in Waterloo, Ontario from May 12-14, 2005. For more information, visit their web site.

World Down Syndrome Congress
World Down Syndrome Congress is taking place in Vancouver, B.C. August 22-27, 2006. For more information visit: www.cdss.ca

Special Olympics
Special Olympics is taking place every Saturday at the Beaverbrook School gymnasium. Coaches Glen Agnew and his team of volunteers are there to welcome your son or daughter from the early age of 5 years and up. For more information call Glen at 855-6720 to inquire about their activities throughout the week.

3rd Annual Oppor-TUNE-ity Knocks ® Fundraiser
WHEN? Saturday, May 14th, 2005
WHERE? Ballroom, Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel (formerly Keddys) 1105 Main Street, Moncton
TIME? 6:00 PM. All you can eat Chinese buffet will be served. The Silent Auction viewing will take place from 6:00-7:00 PM. Concert begins at 7:00 PM with Dave Gunning and Hot Toddy.
TICKETS? Tickets are on sale now by calling the society at 387-8592, or available at Franks Music, located in Champlain Mall or at Reid’s Newsstand at 985 Main Street, Moncton.
PRICE? $27.50 per person, this includes dinner, silent auction and concert. Great Mother’s Day Gift idea! Silent Auction purchases: cash, personal checks and Visa accepted. We encourage you to purchase your tickets in advance.
HOTEL? Howard Johnson’s will offer a special rate of $99.00 + taxes per night for those who attend this fundraiser. Please specify when booking your room.
INFO? For more information on the event, visit: www.northsoundpro.com or visit www.greatermonctondss.com site.

Corporate Sponsorship: Would your company like to become a corporate sponsor? It’s easy, for a donation of $250.00 or more, your company name will appear in the program and on the corporate wall, a tax receipt will be issued. For a donation of $500.00 or more, your company name will appear in the program and on the corporate wall, a tax receipt will be issued, you’ll receive 2 autographed CD’s from the artists and also receive 2 complimentary tickets to the evening (includes dinner and auction). Call the society for a donation form at 387-8592. We would really appreciate your financial support.

The fundraising committee are seeking donations of items for the Silent Auction tables. If your family or company would like to donate items, please call Claire Esson at 384-8191 or the society at 387-8592 and we’ll arrange to pick up your donation. We will have a professional auctioneer on hand to auction off the larger items towards the end of the evening. The society is keeping a database of the corporate names and Silent Auction contacts, please notify us of the businesses you approached so we make sure they are not contacted twice.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Don’t be disappointed, buy your tickets early, we are anticipating a fun filled evening of great music, food, and a wonderful variety of auction items. Tickets will be available at the Couples night out on February 19th and at the Public meeting on February 22nd (Cash or personal check only).

The Greater Moncton Down Syndrome Society Inc. began supporting and providing services to families living within the Greater Moncton area in June 2001. Locally we are very active but many New Brunswick families are now reaching out to us for help! To continue offering this support we work diligently to raise funds to be as self supportive as possible. Come out on May 14th at 6:00pm and support the society! You’ll be glad you did.