Danville Children's Guild Raises Money for DSCBA

Children's Guild raises $61,000 for Down syndrome group

Below is an excerpt from a Mercury News article about the Children's Guild fundraiser for the DSCBA. Please read the full article here: http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_27404134/around-danville-childrens-guild-raises-61-000-down

Members agreed that proceeds from their Nov. 17 fundraiser would be donated to the DSC. In addition to a fashion show, luncheon, vendor fair and silent auction at Diablo Country Club, the event featured a Fund-A-Need paddle raise suggested by Nancy LaBelle, executive director of DSC. Amounts promised through the paddle raise were to be used for DSC's Stride with Pride pilot bike camp.

"At this camp, people with Down syndrome will learn how to use a Strider Bike (a bike without pedals) and at the end of the camp they are given a new bike and helmet to keep," said Pellegrini. These bikes without pedals enable kids and adults with Down syndrome to learn to balance before pedaling. Balancing is an issue for those with Down syndrome, LaBelle said, and their core strength gets worked on by pushing and gliding. In addition, it gives riders confidence because they don't feel like they will fall with their feet on the ground.

Pellegrini said LaBelle was hoping for $6,000 to run the group's first bike camp program for 25 participants. "We were able to raise over $26,000 during this Fund-A-Need paddle raise to go toward their program," she said. "I owe this huge success to our wonderful friends and family who attend our fundraiser each year as well as our fabulous MC, (local NBC evening news anchor) Jessica Aguirre. Jessica did an amazing job getting our guests to raise their paddle to donate. During this paddle raise, we had a little girl (who has Down syndrome) ride her Strider Bike across the catwalk to demonstrate how the bike worked. It was simply magical seeing this happen before our eyes, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room, as it was a sight to see, as she was adorable."

Pellegrini said the Guild presented their donation to DSC on Jan. 13. "They were shocked to discover that we raised $61,000 for their foundation," she said. "It was very special for us to be able to support Mrs. Hogan and Blair."