DSAL President’s report – its Bragging Time… 2006 was a Great Year for DSAL!

In 2006 DSAL got a New Logo – incorporated into BW Tshirt (Ravenel Bridge inspiration), enjoyed Karen Gaffney’s
presentations for families and CCSD, Julie Hughes & Sue Buckley’s visit in March, Helious Saxophone Quartet benefit concert at East Cooper Baptist, Easter Party at Deer Park Baptist, Several House of Bounce / Ready, Set, Jump Events, DSAL Summer Swimming Social, Mother’s Nights Out all over town, RiverDogs Tshirt
giveaway and social event with PA Announcements about upcoming Buddy Walk and first pitch thrown out by our own Rachel Crain, Powerful ‘New FACES at your School’ presentations by Cindi May advocating for inclusion,
BUDDY WALK 2006 Was INCREDIBLE Great Press coverage for the Buddy Walk again this year which we will be folding into our new baby packets in the form of a “New Parents DVD” – thanks to the generous support of the
Charleston County Medical Auxiliary and Charles Webb / Ed Croft Grants… Also, the MUSC clinic began seeing patients with a soft opening with a Grand Opening scheduled for 2007; the DSAL Holiday party was a huge success with Santa distributing gifts to over 100 smiling faces in attendance – and our Awesome DSAL Youth Group made us proud at the recent Special Olympics conference in Myrtle Beach. So many wonderful successes in 2006 and it only gets better as we looking forward to 2007… MUSC Ds Clinic is planning an official Grand Opening, Barnes & Noble awareness events and Family Jump at Ready Set Jump Feb.24, Special Olympics Bocce Ball April 21 – but wait there’s more… still in the planning stages: St. Patrick’s themed Family Fun Day with
our sister parent support group, ‘Grand Stand Ds Society’ at Healing Farms Ministry March 17, and a STATEWIDE biannual Down syndrome Conference May 5 in Columbia. The Grand Stand group has also got a Super Cool Golf Tournament and Beach Music party with special guest CHRIS BURKE planned for August 17 in Pawley’s Island. Last and certainly MOST, Please mark your calendars now for Buddy Walk 2007 Sept 30. Special thank you to retiring board members Robin Smith, Jennie Banks, and Aires Jose. Wow, DSAL IS AWESOME! Rock on, Chad