Our campers have been busy enjoying their new locations this week.  Thanks to all those who have supported us to make camp week 1 a success.  Next week we are bringing everyone to the Meadows location plus the bonus visit to the Oilers Fanpark takes place on Thursday.  I was able to visit both north and south side locations twice this week and I am pleased to share that we have great staff leaders making the week an amazing experience.  They are making the best use of the space provided including all outdoor and indoor spaces including Rundle Park’s beautiful park and playground, and the Meadows’ basketball courts, library and spray park (when the weather cooperates).   I also joined our campers' group at the Rogers Place tour as part of the Oiler’s experience, and I am so impressed with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation for giving us this opportunity -- what a treat for our Ds community! 

Employment Readiness is also finishing week one, and the participants have been working on the new curriculum prepared for this new program.  Each week participants will receive their next handbook and can follow along at home if they are unable to attend in person. 

Our Board of Directors gathered at EDSS this week to provide an orientation for our newest board members: Iren Parvin and Amir Kazani.  Our senior staff team participated and shared their area of responsibility and provided an overview of what to expect from EDSS as we deliver our programs and services to the community. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to receive a free offer for amazing savings up to 70% off from our partners with the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation for a SportChek VIP Promotion coming soon for EDSS members.  To be eligible, we will need all EDSS members to be active for 2026 by July 31 by paying your 2026 membership invoice.  Please contact us here: contact@edss.ca to learn more. 

Updates

Summer Day Camp t-shirts are available so read more below on how to order yours.  Get them while supplies last!  

Employment Readiness Program is Ready to Go! Each participant will receive a new handbook every week to work with their group and program leads. Meghan has developed a new curriculum designed specifically for this new program.  There are a few spaces available if you have not yet registered, please contact Meghan at meghan@edss.ca. 

We appreciate the support from

and

for their funding support to make this program possible for our families.

We have some exciting news from our partners with the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation for a SportChek VIP Promotion coming soon for EDSS members.  To be eligible, we will need all EDSS members to be active for 2026 by July 31 by paying your 2026 membership invoice.  If you have not renewed your membership, please contact us here: contact@edss.ca to learn more. 

Edmonton Community Foundation Grant Approval – I am pleased to share that we have been successful with a new funding proposal with our partners the Edmonton Community Foundation for our EDSS Literacy & Navigation Initiative.  These funds will be used to help support our vital services to our families, members and community.

Annual General Meeting

Last month, we gathered with our Board of Directors, founding member Gail Faulkner, voting members, auditor Edwin Radke of Radke Professional Corporation, volunteers, and staff to celebrate and conduct the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society’s 30th Annual General Meeting.

During the meeting, the Board presented the approved Audited Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2025, along with the 2025 Annual Report, both of which are available on our website. We were proud to share the organization’s strong financial position, celebrate highlights from the past year, and discuss exciting initiatives planned for 2026.

Treasurer Brad Smith noted during the Financial Report that EDSS is on track toward achieving a $1 million operating budget in 2026 — an incredible milestone in our organization’s 30-year history.

Voting members approved the election of two new Directors to the Board: Iren Parvin and Amirali Kazani. Members also approved third terms for Directors Karen Stone and Brad Smith.

The Board shared sincere appreciation for Jennifer Cassidy, Past Chair and Director, who completed her third term after seven years of dedicated service. Gratitude was also extended to Shawn Sidoruk and Melanie Banasch, who resigned from the Board earlier in 2026.

Iren Parvin joins the Board with extensive experience in human resources, labour relations, governance, and advocacy through her leadership role with Keolis Canada. Her commitment to EDSS is both professional and personal, shaped by her family connection to Down syndrome and her passion for inclusion and human rights.

Amirali Kazani brings more than 17 years of senior financial leadership experience across multiple sectors and currently serves as Executive Director, Finance with Explore Edmonton Corporation. His expertise in financial governance, audit, risk management, and strategic planning will support the organization’s continued growth and long-term sustainability.

Walk for Down Syndrome 2026

Our Walk for Down Syndrome 2026 was an incredible success, welcoming more than 450 attendees and raising an outstanding $91,731.23 in gross revenue.

We extend our sincere thanks to our major sponsors: Daytona Homes, Integra Technologies, RBC, Qualicare Edmonton South, Mortgage Connection, and my Rotary club, the Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise. We also thank returning community partners and Board Members Elia Damis of Level III NDT and Trish Mullen of  Mullen Leadership Recruitment for their continued support.

A special thank you goes to the Air Canada Foundation for once again donating our grand prize. Congratulations to Catherine Litwin on winning this year’s grand prize draw!

We are deeply grateful to all prize donors and community supporters, including GC Metal, Wolfe Pack Warriors Foundation, Earth Water, Edmonton Elks, Canadian Brewhouse, Islay Agencies, Royal Alberta Museum, Ice Cream Depot, Canadian Tire Edmonton West, Beyond Face Painting, Edmonton Stingers, Fort Edmonton Foundation, Bailey Oleksyn, City of Edmonton, Massage Heights, and Lindt Chocolate.

Additional thanks go to Ledcor for donating the BBQ and tent, ATCO for providing the sound stage, C3 Caring Cosplay Characters, the Edmonton Elks Cheer Team for energizing the crowd, Edmonton Oiler's Alumni Ben Scrivens attending in support of Team Vinny, and the Edmonton Stingers and their families for joining us on the walk.

Congratulations and thank you to all of our incredible fundraisers, including Patrick Bussieres, Alex Alfaro, Meghan Eaton, Jody Villeneuve, Patrick Twinn, Bryna Sclater, and many others whose efforts made this event such a success and took home some incredible prizes from our partners.

A huge thank you to our volunteer and staff team for all the effort put in to make the walk For Down Syndrome a success. Pictured l-r: Eli Bernard, Jerry Tryhuba, Janet Tryhuba, Meghan Schritt, Janna Sibal, Mike Smart, Gurneet Kaur, Tori Bergquist, Elia Damis, Michelle Hill, Patrick Bussieres, Jackson Bussieres, Julie Boucher.

Upcoming Casino Volunteers Needed

We are thankful to volunteer Casino Chairperson Rick Grebenstein, who will lead our next casino fundraiser on September 22–23 at Grand Villa Casino.

Please watch for the volunteer call in this newsletter and consider signing up to support this important fundraiser. Be sure to mark the dates in your calendar!

This week I had the pleasure of receiving our donation from the Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise.  With this donation, every participant in our summer camp will benefit as this $5,000 gift will help us reduce fees by $50 this year.  Read more about our 2 new locations both north and south, our amazing themes and field trip plans for summer camp further in the newsletter.

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!