Joan Kolbauer, Baby Love coordinator, writes:
St. Saviours Anglican Church hall was the scene of the most successful Baby Love event hosted in my association with MDSS on Saturday, April 18, 2015. We are so very appreciative of the church’s donation of this space for this and past Baby Love events (six years in all)! Parishioner Len Ireland opened the hall for us, helped set up extra tables and came back to lock up when the event was over. A Thank You card has been sent to St. Saviours.
Twenty-three families plus volunteers (for a total of 110) attended to meet or reacquaint themselves with other families who have young children with Down syndrome. Families were greeted by Joan Kolbauer and Jennifer Barlin. In her welcome greeting Joan stressed the importance of these friendships that are forged over the years with this fabulous community.
Joining us for the first time were Kris Yunker & Lee Maxwell with their son, Taylor, Loretta & Clint Tessier with their son Dainan and his siblings, Rowena & Art Quilnet with son Jaden and his brothers, Christine Collings & Jesse Williamson with their daughter Analeigh, Heather & Devin Newton and their daughter Hailey and the first time little Aurora brought her Mum, Board Member, Serena Stearns.
Our members are always encouraged to bring extended family and friends to our Baby Love mornings and we were delighted to see such support for many of our families.
Angie Baydack and her son Taycen promoted the new MDSS logo with a tattoo of same. As the organizer, Angie also spoke to our guests about the upcoming MDSS Walk which will take place on September 27th this year. A volunteer sign-up sheet passed around produced favorable results.
A craft table and a great assortment of toys were available for the children to play with, and at 11 a.m., Sunny the Clown entertained the children for more than an hour.
Refreshments consisting of fruit trays, vegetables, cheese, crackers, cookies, applesauce, puddings and assorted potato chips were very well received. Juices, tea, coffee, water and soft drinks were also available.
To our wonderful volunteers, we extend a very special thanks. Cindy and Suzanne Fast signed in each family and gave them name tags. Dorothy Ridd, Cindy Fast and Ian Hall set out the refreshments, keeping them refreshed, and did an awesome job of cleanup.. Thanks to Rick for arriving early to assist with set up!
Dads, Courtenay Funk, Omar Khan and Alvin Wiebe pitched in and helped with the take down of tables and the stacking of chairs.
We were so pleased that Board members, Jennifer Barlin, Rick Sawyer, Serena Stearns and Olivia Hawrysh were also able to attend. Susan and Ruth – you were missed but we always know we can count on you for future Baby Love mornings.
Joan took photos and is organizing a SMILEBOX slide show of the day which will be sent to the families who attended. Photo consents from our new families were collected.
Details for a FALL Baby Love will be confirmed in the very near future. Please contact the office if you would like to assist Joan Kolbauer, Susan Cearns, Jennifer Barlin & Ruth Joseph in welcoming new families to this event. We are always open to new ideas to keep this event fun and interesting.
Thank you, Susan Cearns and Jennifer Barlin for all that you do to make this event the success that it is.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the membership,and especially those families who come out for the amazing “Baby Love” experience, special thanks to Joan Kolbauer. Your motivation, commitment, organization and hard work are greatly appreciated.