40th anniversary logo  

Western DuPage  

Special Recreation Association

 

Engaging community-based recreational programs and 

inclusion services for children, teens and adults with special needs.

www.wdsra.com 

  

In This Issue
  
Save the Date! 

Registration for the 2016 Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic will be open soon. But you can save the date NOW!

Monday, June 13th
Arrowhead Golf Club, Wheaton
  • Great golf
  • Delicious food
  • Special treats
  • Supports WDSRA programs
2016 Golf logo

  

It's Burger Bonanza!

 

Who has the best burger in town? Our Buger Bonanza special event folks taste tested three popular burger places to come up with their favorite. The winner is... Smashburger!

 

Burger Bonanza
 

Find more photos on Facebook!

  

Giving YOU the Moon and the Stars!

 

That's what the School's Out group was able to get on a recent trip to the Alder Planetarium. Fun AND educational!

 

Schools out
 

Find more photos on Facebook!

  
SNEAK PREVIEW!

Here is sneak preview of just one of the new sculptures, created by Geneva-base artist Joe Gagnepain, that will be heading to the Sensory Garden Playground this summer 

Horse scupture

Find more photos on Facebook!
  
Celebrating 40 Years!

Do you remember way back when...

anniversary 2

anniversary 3

anniversary 1

Find more photos on Facebook!
  
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 
  
WDSRA on WONC! 
 
wonc Catch us LIVE on WONC FM89.1 Tues at 4:30pm.   
  
Follow Us

      Like us on Facebook    View our videos on YouTube  
@WeAreWDSRA
  
We LOVE Our Volunteers!
thank you volunteers
This week happens to be National Volunteer Week and we just want you to know...we LOVE our volunteers! 

We want to send a HUGE Thank YOU to each and every one of our volunteers for all you do to make every day possible for our participants! YOU put a smile on everyone's face! 

For more information on volunteering, contact Becca at [email protected] or 630-681-0962 ext 578. 
Congratulations Emma Riehs!

Congratulations Emma Riehs who was recently crowned a Miss Amazing Illinois princess!

As part of the program Emma took part in a brief interview where she was able to tell the judges a little bit about herself, learn how to introduce herself on stage, have lunch, and get her hair and make up done by volunteers.

The event was all about celebrating beauty both inside and out! 
 
Miss Amazing Illinois celebrates girls & women with disabilities helping them build self-confidence in a supportive environment. All participants are crowned princesses and one participant in each age group is selected queen. 
 
For more information, visit www.ilmissamazing.com.
SRA Art Show Opens Wednesday!
  
SRA art show artist The 10th Annual SRA Art Show gives artists from several special recreation associations an opportunity to have their works displayed in a gallery setting. Pieces will be on display Wed., 4/13 thru Sun., 4/24.  

A FREE closing reception will be held Sun., 4/24. View all the artwork, enjoy live music, refreshments, and make a craft. This is a GREAT family event!

Show runs Wed., April 13th thru Sun., April 24th--dates and times vary
Closing Reception Sun., April 24th
--2-4pm
Bloomingdale Park District Museum

108 S. Bloomingdale Rd., Bloomingdale
FREE and open to the public
For more information, contact Emily at [email protected] or 630-681-0962 ext 559. 
Athletes Head to NCC for Track and Field Meet

Special Olympic track and field athletes head to North Central College this weekend to compete against peers in events such as metered runs, relays, ball throw and long jump. 

WDSRA's Spring Special Olympics Track & Field Meet  track and field
Sunday, April 17th
8am-noon
North Central College
445 S Brainard St., Naperville
 
The WDSRA meet is designed to give athletes a chance to get familiar with competition in a large arena. Run like an official meet complete with timed events and awards, it provides new athletes a tremendous advantage before heading into their first meet. For the experienced athlete it provides yet another way to prepare before the official Spring Games Track and Field Meet. That meet is held two weeks later with hundreds of athletes competing.
 
The success of both of these events have everything to do with the support of dedicated athletes, coaches and their families. In addition, the WDSRA meet could not happen without the help of many supportive volunteers, the wonderful staff at North Central College and the Naperville community at large.

We thank you all for making these events possible!

Good luck to all the athletes!
Be a Part of Comcast Cares Days!
 
Comcast Cares logoWDSRA is thrilled to be a Comcast Cares Day site this year.  Comcast employees, their families and friends will work alongside WDSRA volunteers on a number of projects that we desperately need help with. If you would like to be part of this group...we would love to have you join us!

Projects include: collating invitations for the upcoming golf outing, kit assembly, Spring Fling preparation, 'thank you' note creation, window washing, landscaping, bus cleaning and Community Park clean-up.

Volunteer today!
Saturday, April 30th--rain or shine!
8:30am -2:30pm
Registration begins at 8:15am
WDSRA Offices, 116 N. Schmale Rd., Carol Stream

registration button

Did we mention the FREE shirt, FREE lunch, and FREE fun! 
For details contact Becca 630-681-0962 ext 578 or 
Summer Positions Open NOW! 
apply now button 
Looking for a summer job that is fun? Need a flexible schedule? Want competitive wages? Apply NOW! Experience is a plus but we will train.   
 
Great summer jobs for teachers,  
education or special education majors. 
Great for college and high school students too!  

Apply online at http://wdsra.com/Employment-Volunteer/part-time-employment.htm. If you have questions, contact Heather [email protected] or 630-681-0962 ext579
Program Highlight
Now Offering Brass Lessons
 
Looking for trumpet, French horn or trombone lessons? WDSRA now offers them! 

Music lessons graphic
We have expanded our individual music lessons to include: trumpet, French horn, trombone, guitar, piano and voice lessons. These are one-on-one, 30 minute lessons for children, teens and adults (ages 6+). Plus, everyone  taking lessons has the opportunity to perform in the Musical Showcase!

Complete details can be found on page 25 in the summer brochureFor questions, contact Brianne at [email protected] or 630-681-0962 ext 561.
Community Partners
The Rotary Club of Carol Stream Holds Food Drive
 
Carol Stream Rotary food drive The Rotary Club of Carol Stream is holding a community-wide food drive! Donations can be dropped off at WDSRA offices during regular business hours before end of day Friday 4/15.  

Community-wide Food Drive
Drop off donations before the end of business day Friday, April 15th
WDSRA offices
116 N. Schmale Rd., Carol Stream

Complete details can be found at Rotary Club of Carol Stream Food Drive.
Adaptive Sports Day at NIU

To promote adaptive sport and physical activity awareness for everyone, Northern Illinois University's Campus Recreation will host an Adaptive Sport Day.
 
The event is sponsored by the Great Lakes Adaptive Sport Association and supported by the Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association. Sport demonstrations planned for that afternoon include goalball, beep baseball, chair yoga and wheelchair basketball.
 
Adaptive Sports Day
NIU Adaptive Sports Day
Saturday, April 16th
noon to 3pm
Northern Illinois University
180 Stadium Drive E.  DeKalb
Equipment will be provided or bring your own.
Free and open to the public.

For complete details, visit NIU Adaptive Sports Day.
Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Walk

The Junior Volunteers of the Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare will be holding their 2nd Annual Family Fitness Walk. There will be music, raffles, food, games, and lots of fun! It is open to everyone and is planned as a great family event.

Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Walk
Family Fitness Walk
Sunday, April 17th
11am-1pm
Glenbard West High School 
670 Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn

Tickets are available at  www.glenellyninfantwelfare.org. All money raised will be donated to local agencies who support children in our community.
The DuPage Human Race Run

Giving DuPage 5k logo
The DuPage Human Race benefits local non-profit organizations serving DuPage County including the Sensory Garden Playground's Play for All Foundation. This year, the Sensory Garden Playground's Play For All Foundation is asking you to help them reach their fundraising goal of $5,000. Simply choose them as your charity of choice when registering.

DuPage Human Race--in support of the Sensory Garden Playground's Play for All Foundation!
Saturday, April 30th @ 9am
1901 W. Butterfield Road, Downers Grove
 
Learn more about the Sensory Garden Playgrounds's Play for All Foundation at www.playforalldupage.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 | 

www.wdsra.com