First Annual Night At The Rep Fundraiser

 

 

 On November 5, 2013 Arkansas Down Syndrome Association,  Precious Baby Ministries and SW Chance Inc. successfully hosted our first scholarship fundraiser at The Rep in Little Rock.  It was an incredible night with incredible people.

 

The night started at 5:30 with appetizers and silent auction.  We were overwhelmed by the generosity of donations for our silent auction items.  We had over 30 paintings and drawings available from local special needs artists.  These pieces of art were meticulously crafted  and we were pleased to see them draw a lot of interest and good donations for the artists.

 

There are going to be a wonderful group of families selected to receive our first set of scholarships. We will provide more information regarding the scholarship process soon.

 

To all of our special need supporters, God bless you and thank you dearly for making this a success. 

 

 

 

The Rep Little Rock Arkansas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thank you to the creators of an amazing play.

"RED"
 

 

Joseph Graves as Mark Rothko and   Chris Wendelken as Ken

 

 

 

 

Myself, Fred Norman, little Presley Tolliver and Robin Tolliver

 

 

 

We had the best little helper in town.

Thank you Miss Payton Tolliver.

 

 

 

 

Silent auction items included:

 

 

 

Christmas Table Basket: 8 Christmas placemats, 8 matching napkins, 8 additional Christmas placemats of different pattern, 2 candlesticks, 1 gold table runner, 1 green tree décor.

 

 

Date night package: 2 bottles of wine, 3 gourmet chocolates, 4 wine glasses, gift certificate to Packet House grill, one night at Embassy Suites, popcorn, and basket.

 

 

Salon basket:  Various salon products ($90), 1 hour massage ($70).

 

 

Family Game Night Basket: Apples to Apples board game, Uno, Dominoes, Thomas Kinkade puzzle, candy, popcorn, Scoop Dog gift certificate ($20), NACD music for motivate.

 

 

Tammy Sue's basket of handmade soaps, lotions, body butter, lip balm and washcloths.

 

 

Sports Package: one football signed by head coach Bielema, Family pack for Arkansas Travelers (tickets, drinks, hot dogs), two laser signed pictures from Buffalo Bills, two Razorback tickets for 2014 season.

 

 

Family Day Package: 4 zoo passes, 4 Museum of Discovery passes, $25 gift cert to All Aboard Restaurant, Melissa & Doug wooden train craft, $20 gift cert to Scoop Dog, NACD music CD and guide to child development and education ($75).

 

 

 

Disney package: 4 Disney hopper passes for one day, value $496.

 

 

Fall wreaths.

 

 

Outdoor package: 1 soft rifle carrying case, 1 decoy gloves, 1 set ankle wraps, 1 waterfowl carrier, 1 adjustable shell belt, 1 duck call, 1 Mossy Oak thermos, 1 Mossy Oak pit bag, 1 pocket knife,, 1 Tanglefree cap, 1 Primos cap, 1 doghouse ground blind.  Value $300.00. Bonus: $100.00 credit Gaston's White River Resort on 3 day/2 night stay for party of 2.

 

 

Pampered Chef:  Classic batter bowl – 2 QT,  microplane adjustable grater, garlic press, 

Twistit! Clip combo pack – 10, citrus peeler, Quikut paring knife, mix & scraper, mini serving spatula, all purpose spreader, I-slice pizza cutter.

 

 

Spa Package:  1 hour massage, 1 throw blanket, 1 “de-stress” music CD, ultra softening bath salts,
1 mani/pedi kit, 1 four in one foot wand, aloe infused lounge socks, 1 pair bath gloves,
1 fresh melon slice candle, 1 bath sponge, 1 deep cleaning masque,
2 tranquil chamomile mineral baths packets.

 

 

Picnic day basket: bottle of Post Familie juice, local raw honey, various gourmet crackers, cakes, and bread, fresh fruit, gift certificates to Scoop Dog, and large picnic basket with utensils.

 

 

Parent’s Introduction to muscle based therapy:  Includes: horn & straw kits, straw
cups, chewy tubes, straw stickers, and homework stickers...Value: $95, NACD Guide to child development & education CD’s...Value: $75, NACD music for learning CD...Value: $16.

 

 

Cabot package: Larry's pizza, Cabot Dance Academy starter pack, and Christmas wreath from Handbag Express in Cabot.

 

 

Set of 4 Arkansas Symphony Orchestra ticket and a bottle of wine from Post Familie.

 

 

 

Sona Med Spa facial package: $500 value.

 

 

Hot Springs package: $30 gift certificate to Applebees, 4 passes to Mid America Science Museum.

 

 

Wild River Country Package: 4 passes to Wild River Country, $20 gift certificate to Scoop Dog.

 

 

 

 

Branson, Missouri package: $400 gift certificate to Big Cedar Lodge and 2 admission passes to Silver Dollar City.

 

 

Mystery box of cash courtesy of J & M Wholesale.

 

 

20 pops for Le Pops in Little Rock, 3 large pizza's Jay's Pizza.

 

Dinner for 4 at chef's table-Vesuvios Restaurant...Value $1000.00

 

$50.00 gift certificate to Trio's Restaurant.

 

 

 

Artists Tables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grateful for all the volunteers that came to help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tammy with SW Chance did an amazing job, we thank her dearly.

 

 

 

Suzie Hicks with ADSA and Frank Glasgow with Briggs Equipment who have become very generous supporters to the Down syndrome community here in Arkansas.

 

 

Fred Norman, Suzie Hicks and DeAnne Hunt.

 

 

 

The Tolliver Family

 

 

The Ambeau Family minus the little Ambeau's

 

 

 

 

Fred Norman-Our Angel

 

 

 

 

 

Chad Ambeau, Shannon Wewers and Micah Elizabeth.

 

 

Thanks for the help Dawn Adams.

 

 

Thank you Christina Dixon for your help.

 

 

 

 

What a wonderful night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Precious Baby Ministry

Two years ago, Tricia and I were both blessed with wonderful little girls who happen to have Down Syndrome.  We were not aware of  the diagnosis before they were born.  The doctors and nurses said "I'm sorry" several times and told my husband and I what my daughter would "never do" like read, drive, have a decent IQ.  They then informed us of all the potential medical complications that could occur.  It was overwhelmingly negative and we allowed them to steal our joy surrounding her birth. 

Those words fueled us to prove them wrong.  As we educated ourselves more about Down syndrome, we realized children and adults with DS can do all of this, and anything else they want to do.  They can dance, sing, play musical instruments, give speeches, become a composer, become an actor, drive a car, inspire others, help others, and so much more. 

We made it our goal to "raise awareness and expectations" and to help other parents experience this realization from the beginning.  We wrote a small book for new parents to explain things like TEFRA, therapies, alternative choices, with encouraging stories, oral motor techniques to begin right away, and a list of numerous websites and blogs that would inspire and motivate them.  We give this book, along with a gift basket full of goodies and a prayer blanket to each new or expecting parent we encounter. 

We personally talk to each new or expecting parent as soon as we receive a call from the genetic clinic, hospital, therapist, or friend. We introduce them to families who have child with DS of similar same age.  We add them to the Arkansas Facebook page called "Buddy Talk" which was organized for DS families.
Buddy Talk is like having your own personal support group. Buddy Talk organizes family events every 2-3 months here in central Arkansas like the water park, zoo, museums, and picnics in the park. 

We link the new families with the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association, so they can receive letters for upcoming events.  Sometimes, we just let them see our 2 year old daughters playing, enjoying life, and getting into mischief like any typical two year old.  This seems to alleviate more fears and doubts for new or expecting parents than anything we can say to them. 

We are now blessed to be able to take a dinner to the hospital when the children with heart defects are having their surgery at 2-4 months old.  This allows the parents a mental break without leaving the hospital, while one of us sits with their precious baby singing or reading to them. 

Our Precious Baby Ministry has grown and extended to NE Arkansas with Shannon sending out 4 baskets last week and meeting with families.  The Arkansas Down Syndrome Association now has a link so families can download the book themselves in case we did not receive a call about them.  (see link Precious Baby Binder under infant and early childhood at http://www.ardownsyndrome.org/ )  Two years into our journey with Presley and Emma, we are amazed by everything they CAN do and WILL do.  They have such a positive influence on people and can change your heart, you outlook, and your life if you let them. .

Today, we attended a miniature horse show fundraiser for Precious Baby Ministry hosted by Brigg's Equipment and put together by Natural State Miniature Horse and Shetland Pony Association.  Todd and Jennifer Crowder where so generous with giving all proceeds to our cause.  It is heart warming how many strangers show support for our children and want to help any way they can.  A simple thank you does not seem enough.  We met some amazing people today.  

Just remember, you can make a different with one small step at a time.  Keep moving forward.

Here are some pictures of the show today.  The picture quality is not so great, because I was holding a squirming 2 year old.   Blessings, Robin

Payton & Presley.  Presley thought the water in the horse's bucket needed some stirring.

Two princesses walking in the show.  How great is it to teach children compassion so early?

The flyer.  All proceeds went to support our cause. People making a difference.

A two year old girl in the show.

Olivia, Bekkah and Kenzie loving the horse show.

Emma, her Nana and her brother Grant.

The costume part of the show. They were going swimming.

My wonderful family. 

Picture doesn't do it justice, but this horse was dressed up like a dinosaur. 

  

The children had such a good time!

$1,650 total was donated. $550 was from the children's bake sale. We are so blessed! Remember to enjoy your journey and your Precious Baby.

Todd and Jennifer Crowder with Natural State Miniature Horse and Shetland Pony Association taking photo with Tricia and little Emma who passed out from all the fun.

https://www.sites.google.com/site/naturalstateminiaturehorse/

A special thanks to Frank Glasgow with Briggs Equipment for all of their continued support.  They have been responsible for raising money and awareness.  We could not do it without people like this. 

http://www.briggsequipment.com/