Partner Sponsors ($6,000)
Continental Airlines
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Larry Reimert
Associate Sponsors ($3,000)
Administaff
Ernst & Young LLP
HCC Insurance Holdings
T.F. Hudgins, Inc.
Patron Sponsors ($1,500)
Amegy Bank
Axia Resources
BKD LLP
Encore Bank
Fitts, Roberts & Co. P.C.
Harper & Pearson Company, P.C.
Houston CPA Society
McGinnis Family
Mission Constructors
Sirius Solutions
State Tax Advisors
Ubernosky Passmore & Majeres LLP CPAs
Pin Flags ($500)
ADP
Aclaro Softworks
David G. Acosta, CPA
Brady, Chapman, Holland & Assoc.
Briggs & Veselka Co.
Central Insurance Companies
Chubb Group
Goodman Financial Corporation
Horn Solutions Inc.
Loria Associates Inc.
O’Connor & Associates
Richard Pitre, PhD, CPA
Paula Ruth Public Relations
Paul and Linda Vanek
Individual Foursomes ($1,000)
Accretive Solutions
Gateway Energy Corporation
Harper & Pearson Company, P.C.
Mark Lee
Spectra Premium
Cash Donations
Jerome Griffiths
John S. Misitigh
Sharon Nail
Seefeld Lawson Moehler LLP
Carol G. Warley
Golf Classic Live and Silent Auction Sneak Peek
The Annual Golf Classic Committee is excited to announce some of the outstanding, premium items obtained for this year's auction. Remember…even if you don't know an iron from a bunker, you can purchase a Dinner Ticket for $40 per person, enjoy a sumptuous Italian buffet, visit with new and old friends, and do some early holiday shopping. Take a look…
Wish Art by DeAndre…an original drawing by our Celebrity Wish Child matted and framed for display
Jack Russell Terrier Puppy…a little bundle of love bred and donated by Mary and Jerry Goldberg
1966 Ford Thunderbird...she needs some work, but picture yourself in this sleek vintage turquoise beauty.
Platinum & Diamond Engagement Ring…(with appraisal) to delight that special lady
I Love New York…Family Portrait by Renown Photographer Bradford with Stay at the Ritz Carlton Westchester, Rolls Royce Limo Ride to Studio; includes Two Continental RT Coach Air Fare
Host A Wish…grant your very own wish to a Make-A-Wish Child
Coach Class Roundtrip Air Fare on Continental for Two
First Class Domestic Roundtrip Air Fare on Continental for Two
Silent Auction – NOTE: Some items may be packaged with other items.
Rocket Ball…four tickets to two Houston Rockets basketball games
Drew Brees Autographed Football…for those New Orleans Saints fans
Terry Bradshaw Autographed Mini Helmet…for those Pittsburgh Steeler fans
John Cena Autographed Bag, Hat and Shirt…for those WWE junkies
Disneyland Passes…four one-day park hopper passes
InterContinental Hotel Houston…weekend stay with breakfast for two
Brickle Leather Faux Croc Handbag…donated by A Bientot
Pave Diamond Heart Post Earrings…from Zadok Jewelers
Four Seasons Hotel…Saturday night stay for two with brunch and a manidure
Messina Hof Winery Private Tour and Tasting…for you and 19 other oenophiles
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino…weekend stay for two with dinner
JW Marriott…one night weekend stay with breakfast
Crowne Plaza Houston Downtown…one weekend night deluxe accommodation
Bell Mountain Vineyards (Fredericksburg)…tasting and tour for six
Restaurant Certificates…Bistro Le Cep, Spencer's, Carmelo's, Taste of Texas, Pico's, Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Ktichen, El Tiempo Cantina
Entertainment and the Arts…Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Theater Under the Stars, Alley Theatre, Museum of Fine Arts
Golf & Other Sports…foursomes at area golf clubs and courses.
For That Personal Touch…fitness memberships, yoga instruction, salon & spa treatments
Home Décor…Portrait Photography…Jewelry and Watches…Artwork…Casual Dining…
AND LOTS OF ASTROS LOGO ITEMS AND AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA!!!
Members present at the August planning meeting of the Golf Classic Committee were (standing, l to r) Steven King (GrowthForce Inc.); Bob Barr (Harper & Pearson Company, P.C.); Paul Vanek (Accretive Solutions); Tim Brady (Brady Chapman Holland & Associates Inc.); Milan Simic; Mark Shirley (WM Shirley & Associates); and Mike Spartalis (E Michael Spartalis, CPA,CPC); and (seated, l to r) Elyse Turla (Society Communication Manager); Nancy Rutledge (Society Executive Director); Chair Bill McGinnis (Swanberg USA Inc.); Teri Andrepont (Make A Wish President and CEO) and Michelle Woo (Mission Constructors and Make-A-Wish Volunteer).
Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk
The Down Syndrome Association of Houston (DSAH) mission is simple…to build a brighter future for children and adults with Down syndrome (DS). Each year, DSAH continues to promote awareness through Community Outreach programs, monthly support meetings, semi-annual educational conference, and social events for the DS community. For nearly 35 years, DSAH has assisted thousands of families, offering support to new parents of babies with DS, assisting parents with challenges related to medical therapeutic and educational issues, and working with educators and medical professionals – committed to improving the lives and opportunities afforded to all persons with DS. In 2007, DSAH partnered with Texas Children's Hospital to open The Down Syndrome Clinic. In January 2008, with the opening of The Down Syndrome Resource Center, DSAH finally had a place to call their own! Between 2008 and 2009, a multitude of programs and services were added for babies, toddlers, teens and adults…including respite for their parents!
Families, friends and "buddies" will join the one-mile walk on
Saturday, November 14, 2009 (10AM – 2PM) at Jones Plaza in downtown Houston for the children with Down syndrome, for the families - for every friend made at the Down Syndrome Association of Houston - for every one of these beautiful children - and for every new baby who shows up at monthly meetings with proud parents. Join the walk and help to raise awareness so that children with Down syndrome are accepted as a wonderfully normal part of a very diverse community. Last year's walk attracted over 2100 walkers raising nearly $120,000 – an over 300% increase from 2007!
If you are interested in being a part of this year’s
Buddy Walk, you can form a team, join an existing team, register as an individual, or volunteer the day of the event. For more information on participating in the walk, visit the
Buddy Walk web site. For information on volunteering the day of the walk, email
buddywalk@dsah.org.
A Special Message To Society Members
John Harrison, CPA
Community Services Committee
I welcomed the opportunity to respond when requested by the board of Down Syndrome Association of Houston (DSAH) to the Community Services Committee to join them as Treasurer. DSAH is supported entirely by volunteer contributions and private grants. With the addition of a spring golf tournament, most fundraisers are held in the fall.
In September, we held our fourth annual successful GALA and silent auction. On October 4th, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of The Down Syndrome Association of Houston in a Gathering of Friends Festival. Families came to meet and enjoy a beautiful afternoon in the park for the celebration. This celebration is very well known in the Down Syndrome Community due to the great food, games and door prizes. This was the 20th Gathering of Friends Celebration with a real carnival carousel, an inflatable slide, an obstacle course, a shooting gallery, a slam-dunk bouncer, train rides and many, many more kids' favorites.
Coming on November 14 will be our major fund raising event, the Annual Buddy Walk, a one-mile hike along Buffalo Bayou near Wortham Center. Last year, over 1500 volunteers joined in teams to walk with and sponsor participants.
DSAH help fund and was key to the recent establishment of the Down Syndrome Clinic at Texas Children's Hospital. This year DSAH was the recipient of a major grant, which provided funding for "Education for Life", adult literacy programs and reading clinics for high school graduates with Down syndrome. Regular conferences are held at the Resource Center by medical and psychological, as well as disability, specialists, to help families of persons with Down syndrome address financial, health, social, and personal issues.
DSAH has grown immensely over the past four years and expanded programs to include new community, diversity, medical outreach programs, pre-natal support, adult skills, socialization programs and Gymboree classes. Regional conferences and advocacy programs are sponsored to educate families, teachers, therapists, and the medical community of the special needs of persons with Down syndrome. Many of these programs are conducted at the Down Syndrome Resource Center located near US 290 (Northwest Freeway) and Tidwell Rd.
Down syndrome occurs in approximately one in every 730 live births. Over 6000 persons in the Houston area have this chromosomal disorder, and DSAH currently serves over a thousand of their families. The Down Syndrome Association of Houston mission is to help individuals of all ages with Down syndrome reach their full potential. We need and welcome your help in expanding direct, respite, and outreach programs to continue to serve the many Houston area families affected by Down syndrome.
Please visit the DSAH website www.dsah.org where updates and the online newsletter describe the many programs, activities, and volunteer opportunities of DSAH. Also, feel free to contact me directly (713.776.9339; john2678@att.net) if you wish to serve on our finance committee and participate in advising the board in our budgeting and financial objectives. The opportunity to work with this hard working, dedicated, and talented board will be immensely rewarding.
