What's the Big Deal About the NNEDSC?!

So in the midst of "fundraising season" for various organizations, I think it's important to stress why the NNEDSC is such a worthy organization to support - not only for our family, but for all children and adults with Down syndrome across the state of New Hampshire and their families too.


In the past couple of years, the NNEDSC has expanded the services that it provides - only possible because of the support it has received through events like the Buddy Walk!  It is a small, volunteer-run organization, but every dollar goes right back to families who are touched by Down syndrome, which means EVERY.SINGLE.DOLLAR counts! 

Here's a little breakdown of how funds raised were used by the NNEDSC in the past year...


First Call Program - 20 new parents of babies with Down syndrome were supported through the First Call program!  All families were provided with up-to-date books and resources about Down syndrome, as well as special gifts for their new little bundles!  Many parents were also connected with parent mentors through this program!
Hospital Resources - All 20 hospitals in the state of New Hampshire were provided with up-to-date, accurate booklets about Down syndrome to share with parents whose babies are born with Down syndrome at their hospitals.
Family Support Grant Program - 21 grants were awarded to families across the state of New Hampshire.  Through this program we:
                   - sent 3 children to summer camp;
                   - sent 3 parents to Down syndrome conferences;
                   - funded recreational activities and therapies for 4 children;
                   - provided educational materials to 8 children and families; and
                   - helped offset the cost of medical expenses and supplies for 3 families!
Medical Supports - In addition to the family grants, we were able to provide support to families whose children with Down syndrome were undergoing hospital treatment.  This included personal gifts to brighten the days of the little guys and girls who were in the hospital, as well as assistance to parents, as needed. 
Exceptional Educator Awards - 2 exceptional educators were awarded our first annual Exceptional Educator Award!  These educators were selected out of a pool of nominees as those who support best practices in education and inclusion for children with Down syndrome.  For their hard work and dedication, each educator was awarded a personal check, and their schools were awarded funds to further support the education of children with Down syndrome in their buildings.
NNEDSC Social Events - In the past year, the NNEDSC sponsored monthly get-togethers of the Saturday Explorers playgroup for children with Down syndrome and their families!  In addition, the NNEDSC annual Winter Carnival was held with a fantastic turnout, and we had our first NNEDSC summer outing to Sunapee State Park! 
Annual Buddy Walk - Last but not least, the NNEDSC's largest event each year is the annual Buddy Walk!  This walk is a nationwide event that is sponsored by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), that is held in states across the country in October to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  Last year, the Buddy Walk hosted 300 walkers and raised $20,000 which was used to support the programs mentioned above.  This year we hope to go above and beyond in order to continue to better support families of individuals with Down syndrome across the state of New Hampshire!

Ty's Team Page!

Please consider supporting this awesome organization, so families (like ours!) across the state of New Hampshire can continue to receive support!