2013 Step Up for Down Syndrome Awareness Walk

2013 STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME Awareness Walk in Forest Park

The annual Step Up for Down Syndrome awareness walk is being held Sunday, June 9th in the Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park.

Walk Information
Who: Everyone!
What: One mile walk in Forest Park preceded by a family festival. Plenty of games,
food and fun for everyone! (Strollers and wheelchairs welcome, but no dogs please.)
Where: Upper Muny Parking Lot, Forest Park
When: Sunday, June 9
9:00 Registration
9:00 – 12:30 Family Festival
11:30 Walk begins

This will be the third year that Dawson and his "Crew" has participated in this fun event.  We welcome anyone who would like to come and join us for this walk supporting Dawson and the entire Down syndrome community!  You may arrive anytime between 9-11:30 to participate in the family festival which includes games and bounce houses.  The walk begins at 11:30 followed by a free lunch and more time of family fun. 

Dawson is once again raising money for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis.  This event is the time that the DSAGSL raises money to support their organization.

The following information is from the Down Syndrome Association regarding the use of donations made to the DSAGSL:
Where does the money go?
We’re so glad you asked! We exist as an organization to encourage and support
individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout their journey. We
provide year-round programming that supports our mission. An example of the free
programming that your fundraising dollars make possible:

$5 Pays for an Expectant Parent packet that is given to educate and support
parents whose child has just been diagnosed with Down syndrome
$20 Buys two books for a child to receive on his or her first birthday, to help
stimulate the learning and development process for a child with Down syndrome
$50 Enrolls an adult self-advocate in our new Toastmasters chapter to learn
public speaking skills, and also to create self-confidence and friendships with
other individuals with Down syndrome
$100 The cost for one educator to take part in our Education Specialist
program, which provides teachers with the tools and training to best work with
individuals with Down syndrome in their classrooms.

If you would like to donate to the Down Sydrome Association of Greater St. Louis in honor of Dawson Lawrence, please click the link below to be directed to his fundraising page.  You can make a secure donation online.  

http://dsagsl.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1062987&team=5441884

Thank you for your support of Dawson and the Down Syndrome Community!!!

Spirit Night at Arnold Chick-fil-A

Join us at the Chick-fil-A in Arnold on Thursday evening, May 9 from 5-7pm.  This is an annual event to support the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis and the entire Down Syndrome Community in honor of Dawson Davidson Lawrence. 

Please note a change this year.  You will need to state that you are there on behalf of Dawson and/or the Down Syndrome Association when you place your order.  Orders taken without this information will not count toward the fundraiser.

Stop in or drive-thru, if you if you prefer, between the hours of 5-7pm.  Just be sure to mention Dawson and the Down Syndrome Association.  

We thank you for your support and look forward to this fun night of fellowship and fundraising.

Dawson’s Crew

The Four Leaf Clover

The Four-Leaf Clover

(Connie's Version)

Who knows why Down syndrome occurs? Why does the extra 21st chromosome stick to the cell when the fertilized egg begins its first cell division? It can be compared to what happens in nature to a field of clover. Usually, we see 3 leaves on each clover. Once in a while, however, we find a clover that has an extra leaf –- making it a four-leaf clover. We don’t know why Mother Nature decided to add that extra leaf; she just did. There is no obvious explanation -– all of the clover plants grew in the same soil, were exposed to the same sun and rain, etc. Mother Nature just decided to add an extra leaf to one of the clover in the clover patch. This doesn’t make it better or not as good as the other clover -- it just makes it different. Some people even believe it brings a person good luck when they find a four-leaf clover. It is much the same way with the extra chromosome. We don’t know why Mother Nature didn’t let the cell divide evenly, but she didn’t. She decided to add another chromosome to that baby’s cells. It doesn’t make the baby better or not as good as the other babies -- it just makes him or her different. And if you find one of those babies, you are truly lucky for they are very special babies -- who grow into very special people.

Garage Sale for the Down Syndrome Association

The annual garage sale benefiting the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St Louis will take place on Saturday, April 20th.  Donations made to the DSAGSL are in honor of Dawson Lawrence.  If you have items around your house that you would like to donate to this sale, please contact Amy Ward through Facebook, e-mail at amyrward@sbcglobal.net or at 314.686.3251.

Garage sale donations do not need to be sorted or priced in advance.

We have had great success at this annual sale in past years due to the generosity of those who have donated items.  THANK YOU!  Dawson's Crew appreciates you!

                                  PHOTO BY LISA LAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY, ST LOUIS