August was another busy month for DSAW! We hosted our first in-person fundraising event since March and developed a whole new menu of DSAW Connects programming for fall! It is also less than a month until Walk Day across the state! Read on to see what we’ve been up to.
24th Annual Pip & Homer Golf Outing
On August 12th, DSAW hosted our 24th Annual Golf Outing! This was our first in-person event since March. DSAW has been greatly impacted by the pandemic, so it was more important than ever for us to reach our fundraising goal at this event. That meant adapting the day and activities to be socially-distant and safe for volunteers, self advocates, and event attendees.
The event took place at Western Lakes Golf Course in Pewaukee and was full of the usual activities: putting contests, golf games, raffles, a paddle auction, and of course lots of golf! This was DSAW’s first event that incorporated GiveSmart technology to make giving easier for our guests. DSAW hosted a socially-distant program afterwards and announced the 1st place, “Average Joe,” and 21st place winners. Guests got a dinner “to-go” from Saz’s catering.
DSAW is so grateful to all event staff, volunteers, and attendees for coming out and making the best of this day with us. We are looking forward to throwing our usual party in 2021!
Wrap Up: DSAW Connects: Statewide Summer Programs
Our DSAW Connects Virtual Summer Classes wrapped things up on August 14th so the instructors could prepare the fall curriculum. Throughout the summer, DSAW Connects reached over 80 students of all ages from across the state every day. There were 9 DSAW Connects classes on our summer schedule (not including our free programs), many with multiple sections to accommodate all of our participants’ schedules. We consider the summer a smashing success and look forward to September 1 when fall classes begin!
Wrap Up: Free Summer Programs for DSAW Families
The Stream Team!
Here’s what a few of our groups were up to in August:
Mom’s Coffee/Book Club
On August 21st, the moms shared a lot of laughs while discussing The Lager Queen Of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal. The next meeting is on September 17th from 8-9 pm via Zoom. This month’s book is 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand.
Stream Team
This self-advocate group likes some friendly competition with games like “Name that Tune” and “I Spy.” We start class with a “Question of the Day” and at the end of each class, the participants watch a music video for “Song of the Day” and it’s a blast listening to friends’ favorite tunes.
Tween Stream Team
These tweens love talking to each other! Their favorite game is “Would You Rather” and they like to catch up about which TV shows they’re all watching. This class is a great break in the day from content-based classes and it lets the participants just relax and catch up with their friends in a structured way.
Grandparents Group
DSAW- Grandparents Group has expanded statewide! You can join this lovely group of grandparents at any time and stay connected with them through the new Facebook Group. In August, the group enjoyed a virtual chat with self advocate speaker, Tim Harris! The DSAW Grandparents Group has continued to donate baby toys, socks, and other items to the Parent’s First Call Program throughout the summer.
DSAW Connects: Statewide Fall Programming Announced
Registration launched for our DSAW Connects: Statewide Fall Programming! The fall section of DSAW Connects runs September 1 through December 18.
DSAW is thrilled at the success of our DSAW Connects program and is excited to offer new classes and old favorites during fall.
We also have a whole menu of FREE, Statewide Fall Fraternal Programs for our friends with disabilities, parents/caregivers, grandparents, families, expectant parents, and more!!
Update: Virtual 21 Showcase
Submissions for the months-long 21 Showcase on social media are due by September 20th! We’ve received amazing submissions from all over the State and we want to see more. We love celebrating all of our friends with Down syndrome and related disabilities virtually.
Submit a photo/video and description of your loved one to be shared on our Facebook page! Help us prepare for the Walk by celebrating all of our friends online.
Down Syndrome Awareness Walks
There is still time to register and launch your team for DSAW's Down Syndrome Awareness Walks across the state! Due to the uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the crowd size at our Awareness Walks in the past, DSAW's Awareness Walks will look different this year in that they are going mostly virtual!
We are hosting awesome virtual activities all month long, a virtual program on Walk Day (September 27th), and some locations are examining exciting, local meet up opportunities such as a giant car parade or a physically distant Awareness Walk - check out your chapter's Walk page to learn more.
Note: the 8/28 t-shirt deadline has passed. You can still purchase Awareness Walk t-shirts through your chapter's Walk website, however your order is not guaranteed to arrive by September 27th. Thank you!
Register for an Awareness Walk in your area today!
Social Media Fun
Wrap Up: #DSAWVirtualWalk Weekly Challenges
DSAW posted weekly giveaways on Facebook all summer long! The last challenge ran from Friday, August 21st until Friday, August 28th. Whichever Walk Team raised the most money by the 28th would receive a $100 gift card to a local business. DSAW’s friends at Abby Bank sponsored this challenge. During these last 3 months, so much fun was had and DSAW achieved so much. We thank walk participants, our sponsors, and our Facebook following for making the Weekly Challenges successful and lots of fun.
Here is a BRIEF summary of all the amazing things we did during our Weekly Challenges from June-August.
Raised $30,000 during the last week of #DSAWVirtualWalk Weekly Challenges (all Chapters and MADSS)
Decorated our cars, homes, and offices with DSAW and awareness colors
Supported multiple local businesses across the state of Wisconsin and delivered weekly prizes to our winning participants
Inspired 203 people to share our Walk posts on social media, expanding our networks and getting the word out about the DSAW Walks
Received submissions from DSAW families and self advocates letting us know what DSAW means to them
Crushed our fundraising goal of $15,000 in one week so we could watch our Executive Director get “pie-ed” by her daughter on Facebook Live
Listened while Self Advocates shared how they exceed expectations
Welcome: September Daily Activities
As Walk Day gets closer, DSAW will post fun and simple daily activities on our social media to help families participating in the virtual Walk to feel connected to each other. Please check out the graphic to see what’s in store for September, and join in the fun on Facebook!
