Last year as part of trying new things, my husband and I attended an Upside of Downs Gala downtown at the Renaissance. I wrote about it here if you missed it or want some background information on the organization and what it does for those with Down Syndrome. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to do it again this year.
The first part of the evening is a cocktail hour where you can meet some small business owners who happen to have Down Syndrome and purchase some of their handmade products which range from greeting cards to soaps to jewelry. In addition, there are games of chance (sideboards), silent auction prizes, and raffle baskets.
The first part of the evening is a cocktail hour where you can meet some small business owners who happen to have Down Syndrome and purchase some of their handmade products which range from greeting cards to soaps to jewelry. In addition, there are games of chance (sideboards), silent auction prizes, and raffle baskets.
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There are also beer and wine pulls, where for $20, you choose a mystery bag. I took my chances on #100 and was pleased with a California white blend.  |
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On our seats were these swag boxes. When I went home, I looked up the website and was pleased to find out that the company is a husband/wife team who have Down Syndrome.
In our boxes were these lovely scarves. I gave the one on the left to Middle Child, as she loves to dress for holidays, and it makes the perfect Valentine's Day scarf.
Pretty cookies and mint tins in the boxes.
There were a few musical performances before dinner. One was a dance academy of those with the disability, and I have to say, the girl in the front was fierce!!! A musical trio also performed and I was surprised to see the son of an old friend up on stage playing his electric guitar (he has a different disability, but his girlfriend has Down Syndrome).We had a nice time chatting with the other couples at our table, enjoyed a nice dinner, and then walked around while the DJ played. At 10 pm, they started pulling numbers for the different games. We didn't win any money, but the night is a win-win for everyone involved.Are there any charities that you support or have special meaning to you? |
Wow. What a cool evening! Definitely a win/win! Organizations that help the homeless are close to my heart but my daughter-in-law works with adults who are autistic or non-verbal, or have mental illnesses rather than physical. She knows all of the businesses around town that hire these young men and women and we make it a point to shop at those businesses first before any others, especially at the holidays.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! My daughter is high-functioning autism and is on that point of the spectrum that a 40 hour work week is too much, but she's not disabled enough to be eligible for services. We've tried a lot of different organizations and there's just nothing for her. It's frustrating. And the actual places that hire those with disabilities are few and far between (as in, I can think of 3 in the whole metropolitan area!)
DeleteSounds like you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteSounds and looks like a WONDERFUL gala. And I love the name. Very clever! That view from above the ballroom is AWESOME. What a nice setup!
ReplyDeleteOkay, and the scarves are gorgeous. Love the colors!
Having been in the theater, I would have loved to seen and heard the musical performances.
" and I have to say, the girl in the front was fierce!!!"
You GO, girl!
And you're right, events such as this are a win-win for everyone because it's the "spirit" of the people who come together to help others in need that makes it a WIN!
Hope you're having a fabulous weekend, my friend!
I did have a fabulous weekend because I was sunbathing!!!! Thanks, Ron!
DeleteSo glad you and hubby went to this gala! Looked like lots of fun! Love all the giveaways from it too! How clever whoever came up with the one with the wine. I would have taken my chance there too as the $20 wasn't a bad amount for the pull. Glad you got a good wine from your pull!
ReplyDeleteA coffee shop opened in the valley here about a month ago called Spencer's Place. It had its grand opening last weekend. From what I saw on the news station people came from all around the state to participate in the grand opening. It is staffed with people of various disabilities including Down syndrome. Spencer has Down syndrome, in his 20s. His mom was concerned what would happen to him when he was through with high school as she worried about him being able to get a job, etc. She took it upon herself to design this coffee shop and get it up and running to help him as well as other people with disabilities. We plan to go there sometime to support them.
Per se it is not a charity, but something that has a special place in my heart is supporting kids who want to go on a mission through church (I'm not talking Mormon missions here) or want to go to church camp. Those I will usually make a donation to them as I believe both of those things can be so life changing.
betty
I have heard about various coffee shops and car washes around the country that hire only those with disabilities. That's wonderful. And since I did three mission trips when I was in high school, I always support teens who do the same.
DeleteIT SEEMED YOU HAD A WONDERFUL TIME~I have a heart for special needs.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really nice time.
DeleteSounds like a great evening. A lot of work must have gone into making all those lovely gifts. The ballroom looks very posh! As you know, my sister has MND but there's no MND charity in Northern Ireland. If there was, I would support them any way I could.
ReplyDeleteIt was held at the Renaissance downtown, which is a lovely building.
DeleteGod bless you all. . . For reasons that are not as benign as one might hope, people with Down Syndrome are becoming rarer and rarer. . .
ReplyDeleteYes, I do realize that, too. And you would not meet happier people than those with DS.
DeleteThis sounds like such a lovely evening, Bijoux. Your kindness reminds me that I haven't been as thoughtful as I could be--thanks, I needed that! :)
ReplyDeleteI always think of you as a kind and caring person, Rob. Have a great weekend.
DeleteWhat a great evening with an amazing cause..love all of this! Those scarves are gorgeous. I kind of want to go buy the one on the right. Love, love, love!
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly nice swag!
DeleteWow, sure quite the setup indeed. Having a fun time and to such a great cause is a win any day.
ReplyDeleteWe were happy to attend again.
DeleteI love the idea of the wine pull, just so long as they don't go filling those bags with any of that sweet stuff. ;)
ReplyDeleteAfter my company sponsored Feeding South Dakota at last year's fashion show, I've really gotten on board with their mission and cause and automatically have a portion of my Amazon purchases going to their organization. Trust me, with as much as I buy online, that is not an insignificant amount!
LOL, I do a lot of Amazon shopping as well. Mine goes to I Can Shine, which hosts the summer bike and swim camps for kids with autism. My daughter learned to ride a bike through them at age 21 and it was probably the best thing I ever signed her up for.
DeleteSounds like you had a nice night and supported a worthwhile cause that you care about.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
It was a privilege to attend.
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