Proclamation, game fundraiser and helmet auction scheduled
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Regional Center, Foundation for Developmental Disabilities and San Diego Seals are partnering for San Diego County’s inaugural Down Syndrome Awareness Week.
San Diego County will observe the awareness week March 15 to March 21. The San Diego Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Joel Anderson will proclaim Down Syndrome Awareness Week at 9 a.m. March 15.
“I’m honored to be presenting a County proclamation for San Diego’s inaugural Down Syndrome Awareness Week,” shared Supervisor Joel Anderson. He added, “I’d like to thank the San Diego Seals, the San Diego Regional Center, the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities, and Home of Guiding Hands for their collaborative efforts in spreading awareness that those who are differently abled have the same wants and dreams as everyone else and are capable of doing anything they set their minds to.”
San Diego County’s Down Syndrome Awareness Week will cap off with a special dinner, at 5 p.m., and game, at 7 p.m., as the Seals take on the Colorado Mammoth on March 19 at Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110.
Tickets are $35 for dinner and Seals game and $20 for just the game. Event proceeds will benefit Foundation for Developmental Disabilities and Home of Guiding Hands, community partners that serve individuals with Down syndrome. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit SealsLax.com/March19.
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. The team will wear helmets designed by local children with Down syndrome. Helmets will be auctioned off on the Seals website, SealsLax.com, during Down Syndrome Awareness Week.
“Hosting an event of this magnitude with three organizations that 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 Seals dinner and game is going to be a fun way to support our mission to serve and empower persons with developmental disabilities and their families to achieve their goals with community partners,” said San Diego Regional Center Executive Director Mark Klaus. “We are grateful for Supervisor Anderson and the Seals for their support.”
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Down syndrome remains the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States. Each year, about 6,000 U.S. babies are born with Down syndrome, meaning it occurs in about 1 in every 700 babies.
World Down Syndrome Awareness Day is March 21.
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About Supervisor Joel Anderson
Supervisor Joel Anderson brings his more than 14 years’ experience representing East County San Diego in the State legislature to the County Board of Supervisors. During his time as an elected official, he has been named “Legislator of the Year” by 27 different organizations, including veterans and taxpayer advocate groups. Joel Anderson fought to help veterans gain citizenship after their service and worked to help veterans keep their education benefits. Supervisor Anderson currently represents more than 620,000 constituents in East County’s District 2. Supervisor Anderson’s priority is to make County government work for his constituents. Learn more at www.SupervisorJoelAnderson.com
About the 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. For more information, please visit www.sdrc.org.
About the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities
The Foundation for Developmental Disabilities was established in 1986 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to raise and distribute funds to benefit people with developmental disabilities in San Diego and Imperial Counties when funds are not available from public or private resources. The Foundation works to enhance the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities, support community integration, and increase community awareness about the needs of persons with developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit www.foundationfordd.org.
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 28 specialized group homes, early childhood development services, independent living support, and transportation. For more information, please visit www.guidinghands.org.
About the San Diego Seals
The San Diego Seals are a team 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.
