Western DuPage

Special Recreation Association

Engaging community-based recreational programs and

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

www.wdsra.com

News You Can Use July 6, 2016

In This Issue

BMW Drive for WDSRA

Test Drive at WDSRA Office

Celebrating National Park and Recreation Month

Thank You Ribfest Volunteers

Welcome Briajah

WDSRA Summer of Fun

The BFG Movie Screening - July 9th

Access Chicago - July 13th

Sensory Garden Play Day - July 16th

Special Needs Swim Nights -July 17th

Lions Fishing Derby - July 21st

Just Another Day at the WDSRA Office!

Learn More About WDSRA!

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.

WDSRA on WONC!

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

Follow Us

BMW Drive for WDSRA

Elmhurst BMW wants to raise $10,000 for WDSRA.

We can do it with YOUR help!

The BMW Drive for a Cause to make a difference for WDSRA is going on right now. Simply test drive a BMW at Elmhurst BMW anytime from June through August and Elmhurst BMW will make a donation to WDSRA. It is that easy!

Thank you Elmhurst BMW for choosing

WDSRA as your charity of choice!

Elmhurst BMW

466 W. Lake St.

Elmhurst, IL 60126

Just Added!

Test drive a BMW at the WDSRA office!

To make this as easy as possible for you, Elmhurst BMW is bringing several cars to the WDSRA office. You can drop in or schedule your test drive with us. You don't have to be in the market for a BMW. Elmhurst BMW will make the donation to WDSRA just for the test drive.

BMW Drive for WDSRA Test Drive

Thursday July 14th

10:30am-8pm

WDSRA Office

116 N. Schmale Rd., Carol Stream

Schedule your test drive by contacting Sherry at sherrym@wdsra.com or 630-681-0962.

July is National Park and Recreation Month

Learn more about the National Recreation and Park Association!

Our nation's local parks and recreation are the gateways to healthy, prosperous and connected communities. On any given day, someone is being positively affected through parks and recreation - whether they are taking a walk on a trail or fitness class at the community center, getting a nutritious meal or just reaping the benefits of clean air and water because of preserved open space---from the NRPA website.

Find out more about the three pillars upon which the National Recreation and Park Association focuses to positively impact your community: Conservation, Health & Wellness and Social Equity. Visit www.nrpa.org.

Volunteering Makes a Difference

Thank YOU Ribfest Volunteers!

We want to thank everyone who volunteered at Ribfest this past weekend! We are grateful that you chose to spend your time and energy in support of WDSRA families.

New Summer Office Volunteer

Welcome Briajah!

There is a new face around the office this summer. Briajah, who comes to us through the Community Outreach Center, is graciously volunteering her time in the WDSRA office this summer. As an extra set of helping hands Briajah has been assisting with special projects, Rec & Roll and Synergy. She has certainly been a busy lady!

We are thrilled to have her as part of the WDSRA team for the summer!

Celebrate with WDSRA!

Play Summer of Fun Challenge!

Celebrate 40 years of outstanding special recreation by playing the WDSRA Summer of Fun 40th Anniversary Challenge! It's fun and easy for all ages and abilities.

How to Play

1. Choose any of these fun activities:

Take a selfie with a WDSRA friend
Draw a picture of you at your favorite program
Tell a staff member a joke
Sing happy birthday to WDSRA
Do a 40th anniversary dance
Tell a friend about WDSRA
Try a new program or special event
Make a new friend at a program
Write a poem about what WDSRA means to you
Tell us how you like to celebrate
Post a photo of you with a BMW at Elmhurst BMW!

2. Post your fun to WDSRA social media (FB, Instagram and Twitter @WeAreWDSRA)

3. Win prizes!

Details at www.wdsra.com. For more information, contact Sherry at sherrym@wdsra.com or 630-681-0962 ext 550.

Community Partners

Special Needs Screening

The BFG

Ten-year-old Sophie befriends a gentle and charming 24-foot tall giant. Together they embark on an adventure to get rid of all the bad giants.

The BFG (rated PG)
Saturday, July 9th @ 11am
Studio Movie Grill (SMG)
301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Special needs children & their siblings are FREE. All other guests $6/ticket.

The SMG Special Needs Screenings features family-friendly movies. 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. Plus, order any menu item marked with the SMG Chefs for Charity badge and SMG will donate 5% of the proceeds to WDSRA.

Abilites Expo Coming

Access Chicago Expo

Access Chicago is an expo put on by the Chicago Mayor's office featuring products and services for people with disabilities. The expo showcases Chicago's wide range of accessible venues, products, and services.

Wed, July 13th, 10am-5pm

Navy Pier, Chicago

Free and open to the public

Details at Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.

Sensory Garden Play Days Open to ALL Families!

Summer Play Days: 7/16, 8/20

Join us for an all-inclusive Play Day at the Sensory Garden Playground. Play Days have special family-friendly fun for everyone including: face-painting, lawn games, gardening, and a whole lot of more!

Saturday, July 16th

10:30am-12:30pm

Sensory Garden Playground

FREE and open to the public

The Sensory Garden Playground is located inside Danada South Park at 2751 Navistar Dr. in Lisle just northeast of Warrenville & Naperville roads. For more information visit www.playforalldupage.org for more information.

Special Needs Swim Night

Swim Nights: 7/17, 7/31

Families with individuals who have special needs are invited to enjoy a relaxing evening after the regular operating hours of Centennial Beach. The shallow end of the slide will be open too. All ages welcomed!

Sundays, July 17th & 31st

6:30-8pm

Centennial Beach

500 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville

No registration is required. Cost is $3 per person at the door or you may apply your membership toward entry. You do not need to be a Naperville resident to participate.

For more information, visit Centennial Beach.

Lions Fishing Derby

Fun Fishing Event

The Lions Club is holding their annual Fishing Derby for people with disabilities. There will be pontoon boats for rides on the lake, games, a petting zoo, hot dog lunch and fishing! The Lions Club provides a

volunteer for virtually every youngster who attends.

Thursday, July 21st

9am

Shabbona Lake State Park, Shabbona Il

(DeKalb County on US Highway 30)

RSVP by emailing edward0022@att.net or calling 630-330-1341.

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 |