** UPDATE – Stair Climb event moved to March 19th, 2022 **
The San Diego Seals announced today that the team has partnered with three of the largest and most impactful local non-profits to host the inaugural Down syndrome Awareness Stair Climb, which will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Pechanga Arena San Diego. Foundation for Developmental Disabilities, San Diego Regional Center and Home of Guiding Hands make up the trio spearheading the effort to raise funds and public awareness to support the intellectual and developmental disabilities community with the professional lacrosse team.
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“Hosting an event of this magnitude with three organizations I have tremendous respect for will be transformational for the Down syndrome community,” said Seals President Steve Govett. “I encourage everyone to come out for a great day of activities in support of an incredible cause.”
The stair climb, which will begin at 3:00pm, will be followed by a dinner under the stars featuring food from San Diego staples. The Seals take on the Calgary Roughnecks for the nightcap at 7pm. Throughout the game, the Seals will showcase the team’s commitment to the cause and the connections they’ve made to people with Down syndrome.
Leading up to the event, Seals players will host a series of free clinics to teach lacrosse to people living with Down syndrome. They’ll also give the kids the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design the helmets the players will wear for the game in March. Helmets will be auctioned off on game-night.
“We are so excited to be a part of this event that is going to have such an impact on the families with Down syndrome.” said Sitara Sethi, CEO of The Foundation for Developmental Disabilities. “Sports programs and camps have always been a big focus on what we fund at the Foundation and we are grateful to be partnering with the Seals for this wonderful cause.”
“There are thousands of individuals within San Diego and Imperial Counties diagnosed with Down syndrome,” said Mark Klaus, executive director of San Diego Regional Center. “The San Diego Regional Center is proud to sponsor this exciting opportunity and to partner with the San Diego Seals. The event and activities will give our clients and their families an opportunity to meet professional athletes while promoting their own skills in socialization, coordination, and healthy competition.”
“Kicking off Down syndrome Awareness Week this way will have a great impact on the clients we serve, their families and the community at-large,” said Edward Hershey, chief executive officer of Home of Guiding Hands. “We are grateful to the Seals, their management, and their players, for selecting Down syndrome individuals and their care-providers.”
Last year, the Seals hosted a month-long charity effort and social series with Everbowl to raise funds for Home of Guiding Hands and to get people moving as part of its Fuel for Movement Healthy Lifestyle Challenge. Everbowl is one of several local companies to pledge its support for the March climb.
Early-bird registration, which includes a complimentary pair of Seals Knockaround Sunglasses, is now available at SealsLax.com/stairclimb. For those with physical limitations, the Seals are also creating a course on the playing field inside the arena that doesn’t require any vertical ascent. Tickets to this event will sell out so register today!
About the San Diego Seals
The San Diego Seals play in the 35-year-old National Lacrosse League (NLL), the world’s only professional box lacrosse league. The league ranks third in average attendance for professional indoor sports worldwide, behind the NBA and NHL. The Seals play their home games at Pechanga Arena San Diego, the city’s leading destination for sporting events, family shows and live entertainment. For more information, visit SealsLax.com or follow the Seals @SealsLax on social media.
About Foundation for Developmental Disabilities
The Foundation for Developmental Disabilities is the only organization in San Diego and Imperial Counties whose sole focus is to provide funding for innovative and start up programs to enhance the lives of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 1986, the Foundation has provided over $7,000,000 to fund programs for organizations including Options for All, Autism Society SD, Partnership with Industry, Home of Guiding Hands, Noah Homes and Special Olympics as well as over $2,000,000 to directly assist clients of the San Diego Regional Center in emergency situations to avoid homelessness and provide necessities such as water and electricity.
About San Diego Regional Center
The San Diego Regional Center is a service of San Diego-Imperial Counties Developmental Services, Inc. and a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that contracts with the State of California to provide the services outlined in the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act. The San Diego Regional Center is a focal point in Imperial and San Diego counties for 33,000 persons with developmental disabilities such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other disabling conditions, encouraging them to live productive, satisfying, and meaningful lives as valued members of our community.
About Home of Guiding Hands
Home of Guiding Hands serves children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities within San Diego and Imperial Counties. HGH provides a full continuum of care including premium residential care in 31 specialized group homes, early childhood development services, independent living support, and on-site activity services.
-SealsLax.com-
