We are excited to see the kiddos loving our Animal Rescue day camp theme this week and next week, they are being immersed in “Sports and Strength” week at the Meadows Recreation Centre.
We are also happy to see a renewed Monday Morning Playgroup with 5 families attending EDSS playroom thanks to parent leadership from Anita Ripmeester. The next playgroup takes place Monday July 27th at 10:00 am. Read on in our newsletter for more details.
This week is your last chance for early bird pricing for Uniquely Me, and for those who purchase before July 31 there is also a surprise early bird prize draw! You can get your early bird tickets now here.
Updates
Our Uniquely Me “Goes West” committee is making good progress, and we invite you to get your group’s tickets and enjoy the early bird savings before July 31st. 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.
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.
| We appreciate the support from |  |
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for their funding support to make this program possible for our families. |
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.
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!
| 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.
| 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!
