Western DuPage

Special Recreation Association

Providing engaging community-based recreational programs and inclusion services for children, teens and adults with special needs.

www.wdsra.com

News You Can Use January 14, 2015

In This Issue

Annual Appeal Update

Athletes Bring Home the Gold

Welcome New Trustees

Donate to the Wine & Spirit Pull

Guilt Free Re-Gifting

Sponsorships Available

Shopping Amazon Thru Fundinco.com

Special Needs Screening Series

Assistive Technology Program

Winter Newsletter is Online!

Catch WDSRA in the News!

Foundation Names New Trustees

Blackhawk Fans!

Spread the News!

Know someone who might benefit from WDSRA programs and services? Invite them to view the WDSRA video here.

Hear why one parent calls WDSRA 'exceptional and rare'.

News You Can Use Archive

Looking for something you saw in a past News You Can Use? Visit our archive at

www.wdsra.com.

Sensory Garden Playground Initiative

Now registered with Fundinco.com. 1% of your pruchase goes to support the playground.

Learn more here.

WDSRA on WONC!

Catch us LIVE on WONC FM89.1 Tues at 4:30pm.

Follow Us

Tickets to The Black & Red Bash on Sale Soon!

Watch your inbox for the announcement enews.

YOU Did It!

We asked you to BELIEVE in our MISSION!

We asked you keep WDSRA close to your hearts!

Because of your generosity, this year's appeal has broken all records! We have raised a grand total of $71,000! This includes contributions made through the Annual Appeal campaign, the Giving Tuesday efforts, and matching gifts from both The Coleman Foundation and the Itrich Family Foundation--Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation.

At WDSRA, we make it our mission to make sure that everyone with a disability has the chance to reach their highest potential. Giving all individuals the chance for meaningful engagement creates physical, social and emotional well-being. It changes lives and communities.

We thank you for your support in making our mission a reality. We want WDSRA to be a place where every child, teen, and adult can find a welcoming place to call home.

With much gratitude,

We thank you!

Snow Shoe Athletes Bring Home the Gold

Three WDSRA snow shoe athletes earned gold medals at the Special Olympics District Winter Games held at Bartlett Hills Golf Course.

Michelle took 1st place in the 100m
Ellliot took 1st in the 100m
Neal took 1st in both 100m and 200m

All three athletes move on to compete at the Illinois Special Olympics Winter Games in Galena, Feb 3-5th.

Congratulations and good luck at Winter Games!

Welcome New Trustees

This fall the WDSRA Foundation Board welcomed Nadine Roy (Naperville) and Mark Barnick (Wheaton) as Trustees. Volunteering their time and talents, their role as Trustees is to introduce individuals and organizations to WDSRA. We are excited about the energy both Nadine and Mark bring with them and we are looking forward to them being part of the WDSRA family.

Find out more about Nadine and Mark in the winter newsletter.

Get into the SPIRIT

Want to get in the SPIRIT of The Black & Red Bash now? Simply donate bottle of wine or liquor to our Spirit Pull! Minimum value of $10, higher values gladly accepted.

Donations are needed by Feb 13th. Drop off at the WDSRA offices or call Lori at 630-681-0962 xt 581.

Guilt Free Re-Gifting!

Did you get a gift card you just know you won't use? Not sure what to do with it? Consider donating it to WDSRA. We use gift cards for fundraising efforts, to offset the cost of programs and to purchase program supplies.

We may also be able to use it to boost silent auction packages for The Black & Red Bash! Drop off at the WDRSA offices or call Lori at 630-681-0962 xt581.

Lock in Your Sponsorship Today

the black and red bash Contribute to the success of The Black & Red Bash with a sponsorship. Reach over

400 people from the immediate DuPage shopping area that evening and reach thousands leading up to the event. It is a savvy way to advertise your business or services.

The Black & Red Bash is Saturday, Feb. 28th. For more information contact Lea or Lori at 630-681-0962, leaj@wdsra.com or lorib@wdsra.com.

Shop Amazon for WDSRA

Do you shop with Amazon? The next time you shop log in through Fundinco.org. Select WDSRA as the organization of your choice. Then shop! Fundinco.org will donate 1% of your purchase back to WDSRA. It's that easy!

Want to make a greater impact? Ask family and friends to choose WDSRA. Imagine making a donation to WDSRA every time you shop!

Special Needs Special Events

Special Needs Screening Series

Paddington Studio Movie Grill offers family-friendly movies FREE for children with special needs and their siblings. Movies are shown with the lights up, the volume lowered and children are free to move around, talk or even dance in the aisles during the movie. They also have a children's menu where 5% of the proceeds go to WDSRA.

Coming Attractions:

Paddington--Saturday, January 24th

Strange Magic-- Saturday, January 31st

11am
Studio Movie Grill
301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton

Special needs children & their siblings are FREE. All other guests are $6/ticket.

We are pleased to sponsor this private screening as part of our partnership with www.studiomoviegrill.com.

Community Partners

New Assistive Technology Program

the arc The Arc of Illinois has developed a new Assistive Technology Program. This program will fund, or partially fund, the purchase of assistive technology for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have received an evaluation/assessment from a qualified provider but the purchase is not subsidized by Medicaid, Medicare or Private Insurance.

The goal is to enhance and improve the quality of life for persons with intellectual/ developmental disabilities by providing opportunities for individuals to receive technology to help with education, employment, community living and independence.

Interested parties should submit the application form.

For more information, contact Janet at the Arc of Illinois at 815-464-1832 or janet@thearcofil.org.

WDSRA is committed to providing quality recreational programs, dedicated and trained staff, specialized equipment, and much needed scholarships. Your support provides the financial support needed to ensure that the cost of programs remains affordable throughout the year.

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA)

116 N. Schmale Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188-2103

P: 630-681-0962 | F: 630-681-1262 |