Introducing our new look for EDSS!  We are pleased to share our refresh brand image that has been developed over the past few months with the support of Keen Creative and led by Michelle Hill our Office Manager.  The new brandmark/logo and color pallet needed a refresh to modernize our corporate image to reflect the organization's growth and diversity while maintaining our friendly and warm culture.  Michelle has been busy updating our website and all our digital assets and we are pleased to share this new look with you today.

The online auction is off to a great start and new items have been added this week so check out what is new here. UniquelyMe2026 

We have also launched our Westjet Grand Prize and 50/50 Raffle Tickets in advance of Uniquely Me.  Help us by sharing these links with your friends, families, workplaces and social networks to help us spread the opportunities for more to join in! 

I was fortunate to spend Thursday morning with Tyler Playford visiting CTV Morning show with an interview with Cory Edel.  Tyler will be the Co-Host of Uniquely Me 2026 with Chris Scheetz, radio and podcast host who is well known in the country music radio business.

If you are still thinking about attending, don't wait as we are closing in on the end of ticket sales.  Click here before we run out for this year.

Updates

Thanks to all the parents who jumped on the online Fall Program Registrations to help us streamline the process for all.  We are awarding an EDSS $25 gift certificate to our first registration completed to the Armstrong-Strauss Family. We are pleased with the new intake process and if you haven’t done so, please visit the Program Registration information further in the newsletter.  Programs are filling fast, don't miss your chance to join,

Sport Chek VIP Promotion – Sept 17-30th.  Thanks to all our members and volunteers for being part of our EDSS community – you are all VIPs!  Our partners will be sending us their vouchers for this promotion so we can send them to you soon.  They will be available for use during the promotion period of September 17-30th only so watch your email. 

EDSS has a new phone system but the only thing you will notice is that our team’s extension #s have changed.  You can use the directory by our last names, or find us with these extension #’s: Janet Tryhuba, Executive Director extension 103; Julie Boucher, Director of Community and Family Services extension 102; Michelle Hill, Office Manager extension 104; Meghan Schritt, Program Manager extension 105; Janna Sibal, Community Services Coordinator extension 101. You can also reach the main line by dialing 0. 

We are celebrating a successful grant application this week with the news that we have been awarded a Global Education Award from our partners Global Foundation.  This award will support us to develop and distribute clear, accessible resources and promotional materials including presentations, educational videos, brochures, including medical guidelines tailored to Down syndrome care and support. Stay tuned for more information as we put these funds to use to serve our community better.

Mark your calendars for October 24th for “The Affair of the Heart” which is a student-led fundraising gala hosted by the University of Alberta Medical Students' Association in support of EDSS. The event will bring together medical students, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and local businesses to create meaningful impact.  The students are seeking sponsors to partner with them to make this event possible.  If you are interested or know someone who would be, please share this partnership package with them. You can find it here.

We have urgent need for a few more volunteers for our September 22 & 23 Casino thanks to Rick Grebenstein for his leadership as our Casino Chairperson.  Rick is still looking for a few more volunteers to complete the schedule so let him know if you are available for a shift. Visit our Casino page here for more details and to fill out the volunteer information.

Our Uniquely Me “Goes West” committee is making good progress, and we invite you to get your group’s tickets! See the message in the newsletter to purchase your tickets now.  We also would like to invite you to consider making a donation to our “Wine and Booze Tree”.  This western style auction item will feature all the beer, wine and spirts you can imagine, and if you have a bottle you would like to donate, please drop it off at EDSS before September 1.  Also if you have gift cards you can’t use, you may also wish to donate these for a special raffle we are planning.  Our Chair, Adele Olson has been adding new and refreshing ideas to make this year a great event! We are also pleased to share that Tanya Ponich has also rejoined our event planning committee and we are so thankful to have her with us once again. 

Did you know?

Through the Eye See…Eye Learn program, children in kindergarten are eligible to receive free glasses and frames. Be sure to ask your optometrist about it!