a letter from executive director, jim hudson
TRANSCRIPT
A Letter from Executive Director, Jim Hudson You may have noticed that this edition of DS Press is laid out a little differently. Our Volunteer and Communications Coordinator / DS Press Editor, Krissy Vinson, just had a baby boy (Bennett), so we decided to simplify this version and make the focus more of an Annual Report. In the interest of transparency between us and our generous supporters, we have included some financial numbers from 2015. If you have any questions about these numbers, please feel free to contact Lisa Steele, our Business Manager, at [email protected] or 513-761-5400. In addition to our financials, you will see some highlights from 2015, some early successes for 2016, and some things to look forward to for the second half of the year - such as the celebration of our 15
th Buddy Walk
on September 10, 2016. Did you know that our Buddy Walk has raised $4,641,778 in the past 14 years? And I am confident that we will pass the $5 million threshold come September! The Buddy Walk has been a game-changer in the history of the DSAGC. The money our Team Captains
raise coupled with our amazing Corporate Sponsors have helped us accomplish our mission in many more ways than we ever would have dreamed possible 15 years ago. So, thank you for your ongoing support of the DSAGC as, together, we celebrate the extraordinary lives of people with Down syndrome!
We are very excited to welcome Kari Kester as the newest member of our DSAGC staff team! Kari is
our new Donor Relations Manager. She will be leading our efforts to build a base of ongoing and
faithful donors who have the capacity and inclination to be a part of our Celebrating
Extraordinary Lives Club, as well as foster our Legacy Society. Kari says, “I am so excited to
support an organization that has meant so much to our family in such a short time.”
adults with Down syndrome
attended our Independent Living Retreat.
new families were welcomed in 2015!
kids, teens and adults participated in our
Empowerment Classes, which included Kitchen Skills,
Physical Therapy, Book Club, Cheerleading & more!
In collaboration with Cincinnati
ReelAbilities & LADD, we hosted dinner and a movie
for over 400 attendees at Great American Ballpark. We had another record-breaking Buddy Walk year! Over 11,500 people walked alongside
us to celebrate extraordinary lives! Together, we raised a total of $452,352!
bikers participated in our
iCan Bike Camp!
students benefited from our
new Summer Tutoring Program.
Winter Dance • February 6 | 265 attendees!
Down Syndrome Research Day • April 23 | 75 attendees!
Independent Living Retreat • June 17 - June 19
Summer Tutoring • June 21 - August 4
iCan Swim Camp • July 11 - July 15
15th Annual Buddy Walk • September 10
Family Resource Conference • October 15
Holiday Party • December TBD
4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212
www.dsagc.com • www.facebook.com/dsagc