Who We Are

D.A.D.S. of Southeast Michigan

Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.) of Southeast Michigan is a 501c (3) tax exempt (TID# 46-5441977) charitable organization serving the Down Syndrome community primarily in Macomb and Oakland counties. We are a local chapter of the National D.A.D.S. (Dad’s Appreciating Down Syndrome) organization and are affiliated with the Families Exploring Down Syndrome (FEDS) organization locally. We come together to support fathers facing the added knowledge that their child has Down Syndrome (a cognitive impairment that is often coupled with one or more medical issues).

We run our organization exclusively with dedicated volunteers. Our major fundraising activity to support our DADS community outreach programs is an annual Golf Outing. This annual event encourages every family member, friend, volunteer, participant, and parent to promote awareness about individuals with Down Syndrome and to celebrate their accomplishments.

Once again D.A.D.S. of Southeast Michigan needs your help to make our annual fundraising event a success. Please consider being a Hole Sponsor (Corporate Advertisement and/or Personal Message) or making a tax-deductible donation to our Silent Auction or Raffle, e.g., concert or event tickets, venue passes, discount coupons for products or services, vacation home rental (all dated 7/24/2022 or later please). Monetary donations are always appreciated. Please make your check payable to Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome of Southeast Michigan (or DADS of Southeast Michigan)

Golfers of all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to join us on Saturday July 23, 2022 at Devil’s Ridge Golf Club in Oxford, Michigan for a day of fun and fundraising!

Sincerely,
Henry Castro, President

Our Sponsorship

Local Events and Program Sponsorship

Due to the generosity of many individuals and businesses DADS of Southeast Michigan has been fortunate to host and/or sponsor/co-sponsor numerous Events and Programs benefiting the Down Syndrome community, e.g.

American Special Hockey Association Fighting Saints
Bottomless Toy Chest Children’s Charity
Bowling Events for Down Syndrome
Cases for Smiles Children’s Charity
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome National
Down Syndrome Research Treatment Foundation
FAR Flyers of Michigan Special Needs Ice Hockey Program
FEDS Walk, Halloween Party, Christmas Party, Fashion Show
LuMind Down Syndrome Cognition Research Seminar
M.O.R.C. Stars Special Needs Ice Hockey Program

Outdoor Opportunity Fund
Saint Clair Shores Special Needs Summer Program
Saint Francis Camp for Special Needs Individuals
Skate to Be Great
Special Needs Estate Planning Seminars
Special Needs Individual Education Plan Seminars
Special Olympics of Michigan
Sterling Civic Theatre “Noah’s Arc” Special Needs Performers
Total Martial Arts – Special Needs Karate Classes
VIP Soccer Program for Special Needs Children and Adults
Warren Consolidate Schools Special Needs Classrooms

Thank you for your generosity and support of our DADS organization. The smiles on our youngsters’ faces and
the success of D.A.D.S. groups both locally and nationally will continue because you care!

Overview

Locally Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome, or D.A.D.S., is typically a committee or community group (within a local Down Syndrome support organization) of fathers of children who have Down Syndrome. We hesitate to call ourselves a “support group”, even though we do, in many ways, support each other.

The 3 foundational pillars of D.A.D.S. are Support, Action and Fellowship. You won’t find us in a church basement drinking warm coffee and whining about having children with Down Syndrome. Instead, you’ll find us out in the community coaching our kids’ sports teams, participating in our children’s IEPs, volunteering at local Down Syndrome fund-raising events, and even sponsoring fund-raising events of our own.

The cornerstone of D.A.D.S. groups is the monthly meeting where members come together to share insights and experiences. Let’s face it: there are certain responsibilities that generally fall on the shoulders of the father. Having a child with special needs often affects how we approach those responsibilities.

We invite expert speakers to discuss medical, educational, financial, social, and any other issues that affect our children’s lives. And of course, we share stories and experiences that are unique to fathers of children with Down Syndrome.

Origin

In the spring of 2002, eight men met in a restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brought together by the idea that as the father of a child with Down Syndrome, we could do more than just set up tables and cook hotdogs at our local Buddy Walks. What we experienced at that first meeting was an excitement and energy that carries through to this day; the idea that we as fathers could make a significant contribution to improve the lives of our children, and all individuals with Down Syndrome, by working together within our local Down Syndrome support organization.

Today, with the help of D.A.D.S. National, over 50 Down Syndrome support organizations in the US and beyond have engaged and harnessed the horsepower of fathers through Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome.

Who We Are

D.A.D.S. of Southeast Michigan

Local Events and Program Sponsorship

Due to the generosity of many individuals and businesses DADS of Southeast Michigan has been fortunate to host and/or sponsor/co-sponsor numerous Events and Programs benefiting the Down Syndrome community, e.g.

Overview

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