DIS 2014 Annual Member Meeting

 2014 Annual Member Meeting 

On 6/25/2014 at Beggar's Pizza, we had a wonderful chance to spend an evening with friends, (old and new) and be a part of an organization full of so many wonderful families!  Thank you to everyone who was there, in person and in spirit!  During the meeting, we reviewed the annual financial statements and the wonderful programs and events we have enjoyed in 2014. Looking forward to 2015, we brainstormed ideas for the upcoming year, and approved a budget to make 2015 to make it all happen!  Two door prizes were awarded to DIS members who came out to enjoy the evening with us. Additionally, a new program for families was rolled out, which will start in June of 2015. Two final items for the evening were enjoying essays from our scholarship recipients (not saying anyone cried!)  and gratefully receiving our first Gold Sponsorship of the 2014 Walk for DIS!  

Many of you may have received an email with a list of some of the fun things that DIS families have enjoyed over the past year, including:

• iPads for children with Down syndrome

• Conference and educational program stipends for family members of children with Down syndrome

• support for families experiencing serious medical issues

• College scholarships 

• support for other organizations who also serve people with Down syndrome, such as NADS and Gigi's Playhouse

• Affiliate training to begin Next Chapter Book Clubs in the southern suburbs

• Community outings including: Gymboree, Space Golf, Easter Egg Hunt, Trim-A-Tree, Ornament Workshop, Jazz Dance Classes, Konows Pumpkin Farm and others

• Ages & Stages Christmas parties 

• Mom's night out dinner

• Family picnic

• New parent information and support packages

• Giving Back to organizations such as: Ronald McDonald House, LifeSource (Blood Drive), Make-A-Wish Foundation

• We have expanded our lending library to include books and instructional materials that are not available from your local public library...many of which are written specifically for teachers to help THEM help our kids with Down syndrome!  We have added 9 new titles this year.

Ideas that were generated for 2015 include: 

• Participate in parade at Frankfort Fall Fest 

• Working at The World (First Midwest Bank Amphitheater) or Rt 66 Speedway to raise $

• Carnival

• Go Carting

• Illiana Speedway - Bike race for kids

• Educational guest speakers @ Local school districts for teacher institute days

• winner for dimes for downs to win $1000 and guest speaker paid by DIS 

• Write leters/draw pictures for soldiers

• Tour firehouse or 911 Center 

• Jump Zone - Chicago Ridge (brand new) 

• Pump it up 

• Space Golf

• animal clinic/paws

• Children's Farm

• open gym

     Congratulations to our first group of college scholarship recipients! 

 Of the five recipients (Andrew Gierut, Marissa Marchionda, Bailey Bartczak, Amanda Blount, Kylie Kratz) three were able to attend the dinner and their essays were enjoyed by all!  There was not a dry eye in the room, as the stories of what it means to have a sibling with Down syndrome and how that special someone has impacted their lives were shared with all. Both Bailey and Marissa will be attending Ball State University in the fall, Amanda will be dually enrolled at ISU and Morraine Valley Community College.  Adam Geirut will also be attending MVCC.  Kylie Kratz will be attending ********

Door Prizes

Joanne Gowaski and Peggy Marchionda were our two door prize winners, with Joanne winning a bag full of DIS gear (backpack, cup, knit hat, and more!) as well as a Target gift certificate and Peggy enjoying a gift certificate for dinner at local DIS supporter, Cooper's Hawk and Winery!  Congratulations Peggy and Joanne! 

New Program Rolled Our For 2015

  Down in the Southland is excited to share the details of our new Family Grant Program, which began on June 1, 2014. Family Grants will be made available to the membership of Down in the Southland to provide financial assistance which directly improves the life of the individual with Down syndrome. The funding for Family Grants comes from donations and fundraisers. Grants are awarded based on the availability of funds, which varies based on the amount of donations and participation in fundraisers in a given year. All of the details regarding eligibility, procedures etc. are on the form.  This form can be found on the Down in the Southland website, and can be completed electronically and submitted to DIS.  Receipts may be scanned and attached.  The form can also be printed, completed and mailed.  

Marissa Marchionda reads her essay

Bailey Bartczak reads her essay

Knights of Columbus - Council #11232

Lastly but most certainly not least, DIS had the pleasure of enjoying the company of Bob Palmisano from the Knights of Columbus Council#11232 from Peotone/Monee.  Bob talked with us about the work of the Knight's Council in Peotone and Monee and presented DIS with our first Gold Sponsorship of this years Walk For DIS (actually, it's triple Gold!) which included proceeds from their Tootsie Roll drive last year.  Their drive is the same weekend as our Walk  this year, so hopefully some of the kids can turn out on Friday and Saturday to help the Knights with all of the wonderful work that they do for families and people with special needs!  Thanks to all of the Knights of Columbus Council#11232!  

DIS board members receive the 'big check' from Bob Palmisano of the Knights of Columbus - Council 11232.  Rt to Lt: Judy Moreno, Lisa, Pringle, Juliette De Nova, Bob Palmisano, Peggy Marchionda, Mollie Gryga

As you can see, we had a busy, productive, fun filled evening!  We covered so much from financials and past events to new programs and future events, yet many lingered well after our meeting was done!  Our college bound scholarship recipients made us laugh and cry, and reminded us of what's really important and why we all do what we do and are part of DIS.  We were excited by new programs to benefit our DIS family in a meaningful way, hopefully for years to come. and in keeping with our goal of working with community organization, we were happy to add the Knights of Columbus to our growing list of friends in the communities in which our DIS families live. 

Looking forward to next year's business meeting  party, we are hoping to have a venue that will provide supervised activities for the kids so no one has to worry about childcare!