C.H.A.M.P.S. NEWSLETTER

Fall Issue – November 2015
Community Heroes: Advocate, Motivate, Persevere and Serve
C.H.A.M.P.S. NEWSLETTER
Down Syndrome Alabama
1929 Canyon Road
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
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Check your email for more information & details about upcoming events
A Down Syndrome Alabama Publication for Self Advocates
Volume 4
C.H.A.M.P.S.
NEWSLETTER
Community Heroes: Advocate, Motivate, Persevere and Serve
November 2015
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!
By Beth Olive
The CHAMPS group knows how to have fun! On July 16th
we attended a Barons baseball game at Regions Park.
We had a great time especially since the Barons won!
We even got a hug from Babe Ruff on the way out.
We were glad to see Bobby, Meredith, Matthew, Daniel S,
Daniel C, Beth, Amanda, Steve N. and Steven R.
This was Steven R's first time to join us!!'
We will plan another night at the
ballpark in the spring!
MOVIE NIGHT
BUDDY WALK POSTER PARTY
By Meredith Rucker
By Bobby Schilli
For our 3rd Thursday outing in August, the
CHAMPS group visited Patton Creek Cinemas
to see the movie, Ant-man. The movie hero,
who has the ability to shrink in scale, but
increase in strength, was played by Paul Rudd.
He showed incredible strength!!
It was an action
adventure with lots
of Sci-fi so it was
exciting to watch
with friends. We
all had fun being
together and
enjoyed each
other’s company!
Everyone was excited about our first Buddy
Walk as CHAMPS members. On Sunday,
September 27, we got together at Oak
Mountain Lanes to make posters to carry
for the Buddy walk. We put our
pictures, names and decorations on the posters.
We talked about walking as
a team and how important
the CHAMPS group is to
our community and to the
young DSA members who
look up to us.
Thank you Mrs. Rucker
for bringing the great snacks.
OLIVE GARDEN - YUM!
By Daniel Chaplin
Hi everybody! On Thursday September 17, a group of
CHAMPS members went to eat dinner at the Olive Garden at the
Galleria. We had a great time together, and chatted with each other.
Our servers were excellent and we all really enjoyed our meals.
We want to send a big thank you to Lisa Schilli and Kathy Olive
who helped us plan this fun event.
We won the DSA AWARD - 2nd Top Fund Raiser!
BUDDY WALK 2015
By Bobby Schilli
C.H.A.M.P.S. are Community Heroes: Advocate, Motivate, Persevere and Serve
CHAMPS members had a lot of fun celebrating the 2015 Buddy Walk with our new name and
at a new place, Veteran’s Park in Hoover. Our team raised 75% of its goal of $10,000 and
received the DSA Award for 2nd place in fundraising. Bobby Schilli and Beth Olive were also
recognized for their individual fundraising. Our CHAMPS Board of Directors held the United
States flag while Daniel Dabbs led the Pledge of Allegiance. Some of our members danced in a
High School Musical routine with Unless U. Matthew Foster entertained the children
as Chuckie Cheese. Other members showed their Karate skills with North Star Karate. Our
friends from People First joined in the celebration. Everyone enjoyed dancing as DJ Rob
Langford played our favorite songs. The park, the food, the friends and the music made this the
best Buddy Walk yet!
ALL ABOUT ME
ALL ABOUT ME
Hi, I am Amanda Carpenter. I
am 26 years old and work at
Chace Lake Taziki's. I love
my job and the people I work
with.
My name is Nick Lanzi. I graduated
from Vestavia Hills High School in
2010 and I live with my parents,
Barry and Carolyn. I have two jobs
and go to programs at the Hoover
Rec Center and Unless U and I take
Karate.
I help get things ready for when we open.
My sister is Erin and she lives in Auburn and
is a teacher. She has two cats named Oliver
and Luna and sometimes she brings them to
see me. I love my dog, Hershey, and my
cats, Buddy and Gracie.
I like to go to Ohio to see my aunts and
uncles and cousins. My favorite sports team
is the Ohio State Buckeyes. I watch them on
TV with my dad. Go Bucks! I like to bowl,
swim, go out to eat, watch movies and see
my CHAMPS friends.
I love God and my Family. I am always happy to
pray for something special when someone asks
me to do so. One of my favorite things to do is to
listen to music and sing and I love to party, party,
party!!!! It is so much fun to sing the Italian
Wedding Song, Cella Luna, with my dad at
wedding receptions while everyone is dancing in a
big circle! I have been asked to sing and even
been paid! I am a member of CHAMPS and I
enjoy CHAMPS outings on the third Thursday of
each month. If you have not already joined in the
fun, please come. I know you would enjoy the
CHAMPS outings, too. Oh and WAR EAGLE!!!
.
.
Upcoming “Third Thursday” events: Mark your calendar & plan to join us!
Direct Suggestions, Questions & RSVP’s to: Kathy Olive: keolive@charter.net or Lisa Schilli: rbschilli@bellsouth.net .
Let us know what other activities you like. Where do you like to go? What do you like to do? Let your self-advocate board members know.
~ November 2015 ~
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19. Service Project 20
6-8pm DSA office
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Third Thursday November 19th - Service Project DSA Office 6-8pm
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~ December 2015 ~
Sun
Mon
Sun, Dec 6 from 4–6pm
Bowling Party Vestavia Bowl
Tue
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Bowling Party 7
4-6pm
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31 New Year’s Eve Party
Thurs. Dec 31 8pm
$15.00 People’s First at North Shelby Library
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st