Take 3:28 of your day and watch this video:

About Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing access to current and accurate information on Down syndrome and by fostering programs that focus on education, community services, public awareness, medical issues, research, advocacy, legal issues and parenting.

Education Grant/Learning Program

Photo Source: http://www.dsagr.com

DSAGR was chosen as one of eight Down Syndrome Associations across the country to receive a grant for our Learning Program from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and National Down Syndrome Congress Educational Grants Program. DSAGR will receive $6,000 and was the only organization selected two years in a row.

The Learning Program, launched in September 2013,provides direct monthly instruction in literacy, math, fine motor skills, and language for young children and parents.  Children receive hands-on learning in centers that focus on literacy (sight word reading), math, fine motor and language in a classroom led by qualified teachers and therapists. While their children are in class, parents receive instruction in a separate ‘parent only’ class on how to continue this education at home and in other settings. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to work together in the learning environment!

Bon Secours First Call Grant

DSAGR has received a $4,500 grant from Bon Secours to expand their First Call program. First Call provides support and information to new parents whose child has received the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. This grant will support: improved new parent packets, production of fridge magnets with DSAGR First Call number on it for healthcare providers, production of First Call brochures, and production of medical provider information packets.

Mark you calendars now for this upcoming event!

HAVE FUN & FUNDRAISE! 

6th Annual Cut-A-Thon

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Win great prizes, enjoy lunch, and get your hair cut for DSAGR cause!

12noon-3pm

When our daughter Katie was born in 2006, we were surprised and overwhelmed when she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.  We did not understand what her diagnosis would mean for her and for our family.

As soon as we came home from the hospital, we contacted the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR). What a blessing it was to connect with other families who were raising children with Down Syndrome!

Over the past 7 years, the DSAGR has provided our family with mentor support, educational programs, enrichment programs for Katie, and opportunities to advocate for her current and future needs.  We have participated in the Step Up for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Festival every year, and have found it to be a fantastic community event.  We always have friends approach us afterwards to say how well run the event is, how much fun they had with their kids, and how much joy they had meeting our amazing group of kids and adults with Down syndrome.

Do you want to spend a morning with your family surrounded by smiles?

Come on out and join us at The Shops at White Oak Village on Saturday, October 12!

7th Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Festival

Saturday, October 12, 2013

8:30AM – Noon 

The Shops at White Oak Village

A heart-warming 5K run/walk and family festival showcasing and celebrating the abilities and accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome in the Greater Richmond & Tri-Cities community.

Mark your calendars for the Step Up for Down Syndrome 5k & Family Festival with lots of FREE entertainment.

7th Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Festival

4^th Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome Night

Time: 6:30-9:00 pm

Location: The Wine Loft in Short Pump

Who: Anyone Who Wants to Have Fun & help a great cause!

Thanks to Downtownshortpump.com’s team for partnering with us each month for these fun events.

RSVP & Share on Facebook here!

Invite all of your friends and share this on social media! And if that’s not enough reason to come, then check these additional great reasons to join us:

• –The Wine Loft Richmond is the shizzle. It’s a cozy atmosphere that allows for networking so bring a friend. Or come alone, we’ll introduce you around.
• –There will be complimentary delicious appetizers provided with discounted wines.
• –We give stuff away. That’s right. . .for every entry fee of $10 we give you a raffle ticket; additional tickets may be purchased for $1 (so bring lots of dollars!).  We give away photography gift certificates, Richmond Rocks books,  and generally cool prizes you will surely put to use.
• –All funds raised will benefit the non-profit. Contact us if you want to mail a donation.
• –As much as $1,000 is raised each month in just a couple hours at each event at the Wine Loft.
• –Over the last three years, we’ve raised thousands of dollars for great Richmond non-profits just by having fun.

For businesses owners who would like to donate a raffle prize, we appreciate you! Please contact us: kate@richmondmom.com.

These events may also be sponsored by businesses owners, like the Gundlach sisters, who have a huge charitable heart!

The 6th Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Festival is Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 8:30AM – Noon. It’s a heart-warming 5K run/walk and family festival. The event celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome in the Greater Richmond & Tri-Cities areas.

The 3rd Annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Night is scheduled for September 15, 2012 at Meadowbrok Country Club – with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, socializing, dancing, silent auction, & award presentations! 

We’re proud to partner with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR) and are making a donation for each entrant in this contest.

The Winners in Each Category and Grand Prize Winner (with the highest number of unique votes) are below. Your prizes will arrive within a couple of weeks! Thanks to everyone who participated.

0-2 Age Category: Aashvi C.

**Aashvi is also our Grand Prize Winner with the highest number of votes overall!

3-5 Age Category Winner: Colton C.

6-8 Age Category Winner: Ansley D.

9-11 Age Category Winner: Emily W.

Runners-Up:

0-2 Age 2012 Category Runner-Up

Age Category 3-5 2012 Runner-Up: Joshua E.

Age Category 6-8 Runner-Up Will B.

9-11 Age Category 2012 Runner-Up Brandon K.

First place in each age category will receive a $600 package from Real Life Studios including a free family portrait session and 16 X 20 gallery wrap.

1st Runners up in each category receive a free family portrait session and one 5X7 valued at $200, for a total of $3200 in prizes from Real Life Studios.

Great Wolf Lodge - Grand Prize overnight stay package valued at $575!

Signed copies for winners in each age group (valued at $54) and over $300 in Richmond Rocks books for the first 25 entrants to purchase a package of $50 or more (no purchas is required; this is our gift for those who do purchase!)

A Fun Bus Birthday Party valued at $210 from Fun Bus of Hanover/Henrico.

Emerge Hair Salon – $100 in kids haircut; mom’s blowout/style, and hair/skin products!

3 prizes of 10 free passes each in the first three age categories  to Richmond Kangaroo Jac’s.

One-hour Mickey’s Magic Show with Jack the Bunny valued at $129.

Sewinit – A monogrammed pillow with a value of $50

Hip to be Round – $50 gift card toward Tea Party collection for 0-2 category winner

Kimberly Woodson of Farmers Insurance Agency – an engraved picture frame worth $50

Science Museum of Virginia – Supernova Membership (value $99) to the grand prize winner and family 4-packs (value – $44 per pack) to the winner in each age-range.

Theatre IV – Family 4-Pack of Tickets to the Virginia Rep’s YOUNG TOM JEFFERSON at the Children’s Theatre of Virginia at Willow Lawn or Hanover Tavern – $64 value

Mom’s Treehouse:  (0-2)  4-Stroller Strides classes, (3-5 ) 4-art classes, (6-8) 4-martial arts classes, (9-11) 4-martial arts classes

Healthy Little Chef – Two $20 gift cards

One dozen cupcakes from Frostings, $35

World of Mirth – $50 Gift Card

Sweet Spot Gift Certificate for $50 towards birthday party, candy, or treat bags

Kinsights – “Helping Grow Healthy Kids, Together” – is providing a $25 Amazon Gift Card

We’re proud to partner with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR) and are making a donation for each entrant in this contest.

Our 2011 Real Cute Kids Grand Prize Winner, Joshua R. Isn’t he adorbs?

We’re starting voting 8/20/12 through 8/30/12 right here on Richmondmom.com with  photos taken by August 10 by Real Life Studios. If you entered online but did not have a photo taken, we’re sorry but you’ll have to wait until next year to enter.

First place in each age category will receive a $600 package from Real Life Studios including a free family portrait session and 16 X 20 gallery wrap.

1st Runners up in each category receive a free family portrait session and one 5X7 valued at $200, for a total of $3200 in prizes from Real Life Studios.

Great Wolf Lodge - Grand Prize overnight stay package valued at $575!

Signed copies for winners in each age group (valued at $54) and over $300 in Richmond Rocks books for the first 25 entrants to purchase a package of $50 or more (no purchas is required; this is our gift for those who do purchase!)

A Fun Bus Birthday Party valued at $210 from Fun Bus of Hanover/Henrico.

Emerge Hair Salon – $100 in kids haircut; mom’s blowout/style, and hair/skin products!

3 prizes of 10 free passes each in the first three age categories  to Richmond Kangaroo Jac’s.

One-hour Mickey’s Magic Show with Jack the Bunny valued at $129.

Sewinit – A monogrammed pillow with a value of $50

Hip to be Round – $50 gift card toward Tea Party collection for 0-2 category winner

Kimberly Woodson of Farmers Insurance Agency – an engraved picture frame worth $50

Science Museum of Virginia – Supernova Membership (value $99) to the grand prize winner and family 4-packs (value – $44 per pack) to the winner in each age-range.

Theatre IV – Family 4-Pack of Tickets to the Virginia Rep’s YOUNG TOM JEFFERSON at the Children’s Theatre of Virginia at Willow Lawn or Hanover Tavern – $64 value

Mom’s Treehouse:  (0-2)  4-Stroller Strides classes, (3-5 ) 4-art classes, (6-8) 4-martial arts classes, (9-11) 4-martial arts classes

Healthy Little Chef – Two $20 gift cards

World of Mirth – $50 Gift Card

Sweet Spot Gift Certificate for $50 towards birthday party, candy, or treat bags

Kinsights – “Helping Grow Healthy Kids, Together” – is providing a $25 Amazon Gift Card

It’s time for the Richmondmom.com biggest contest of the year – our Real Cute Kids contest.

Parents have their child’s photo taken free of charge, votes are entered here on Richmondmom.com, and kids can win big in their age categories.

Thanks to our great sponsors for 2012 – Real Life Studios , Stony Point Surgery Center, and Primrose Schools.

Age categories for the contest are:

• -0-2 years

-3-5 years

-6-8 years

– 9-11 years

We’re doing this famous Richmond photo contest over again starting July 16, 2012 with photos taken by August 10 by Real Life Studios.

Here’s how it works:

1. Please note that as of 8/13/12 online entry is closed, and we are only photographing children already entered online due to high volume. Complete this brief online form to ENTER, it’s free! (Without this, we will have no information related to your photograph for voting purposes). If you’d like to purchase photos, great discount packages are available. Real Life Studios does incredible photography and has created lots of great memories for dozens of Richmond families!
2. Call 804-794-0021 (Real Life Studios) to schedule your appointment (we don’t accept personal photos, sorry!) at one of the locations and times listed below. Deadline for photos to be taken: 8/17/12.
3. Of course, if you’d like to purchase photos, you may do so at a discount thanks to Real Life Studios. The first 25 entrants to purchase a photo package of $50 or more, will receive a Richmond Rocks Children’s Book valued at $12.95.
4. Feel good about what you’re doing: The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond is our non-profit partner on this contest, so we’ll make a donation to them for each Richmond kid who enters.
5. Vote for your child on the site, photos will be listed by (first name, last initial) and ask everyone you know to vote (one time only per person) between 8/20-8/30 here on Richmondmom.com.
   

   Our 2011 Real Cute Kids Grand Prize Winner, Joshua R. Isn’t he adorbs?

Winners will be announced no later than 8/31/12 here on the site, and the following prizes will be awarded (may vary by age category).

Dates and locations for photographs by Real Life Studios on-site at various locations are below, and you can schedule an appointment at Real Life’s Midlothian Studio anytime:

• 7/31/12-Primrose Ironbridge, 11351 Iron Creek Road, Chester VA. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021.
• 8/3/12, 10:15am-Noon-Primrose Midlothian Village, 13801 Village Place, Midlothian VA. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021.
• 8/3/12, 1:00pm – 5:00 pm at Sweet Spot Candy in Short Pump, 2228 Old Brick Road, Glen Allen VA. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021
• 8/8/12, 2:30pm-5:30pm – Primrose Atlee Commons, 9650 Atlee Commons Drive. Call Real Life Studios to schedule your appointment: 804.794.0021.

There are some great prizes for the winners, including the following (prizes may vary based on age category and substitutes may be made where necessary):

First place in each age category will receive a $600 package from Real Life Studios including a free family portrait session and 16 X 20 gallery wrap.

1st Runners up in each category receive a free family portrait session and one 5X7 valued at $200, for a total of $3200 in prizes from Real Life Studios.

Great Wolf Lodge - Grand Prize overnight stay package valued at $575!

Signed copies for winners in each age group (valued at $54) and over $300 in Richmond Rocks books for the first 25 entrants to purchase a package of $50 or more (no purchas is required; this is our gift for those who do purchase!)

A Fun Bus Birthday Party valued at $210 from Fun Bus of Hanover/Henrico.

Emerge Hair Salon – $100 in kids haircut; mom’s blowout/style, and hair/skin products!

  3 prizes of 10 free passes  to Richmond Kangaroo Jac’s.

One-hour Mickey’s Magic Show with Jack the Bunny valued at $129.

Sewinit – A monogrammed pillow with a value of $50

Hip to be Round – $50 gift card toward Tea Party collection for 0-2 category winner

Kimberly Woodson of Farmers Insurance Agency – an engraved picture frame worth $50

Science Museum of Virginia – Supernova Membership (value $99) to the grand prize winner and family 4-packs (value – $44 per pack) to the winner in each age-range.

Theatre IV – Family 4-Pack of Tickets to the Virginia Rep’s YOUNG TOM JEFFERSON at the Children’s Theatre of Virginia at Willow Lawn or Hanover Tavern – $64 value

Mom’s Treehouse:  (0-2)  4-Stroller Strides classes, (3-5 ) 4-art classes, (6-8) 4-martial arts classes, (9-11) 4-martial arts classes

Healthy Little Chef – Two $20 gift cards

World of Mirth – $50 Gift Card

Sweet Spot Gift Certificate for $50 towards birthday party, candy, or treat bags

Kinsights – “Helping Grow Healthy Kids, Together” – is providing a $25 Amazon Gift Card