Yahoo! Another fantastic Stampede Breakfast!

Posted on By Communications Team

This year’s DDRC’s Stampede Breakfast was, as always, a Western feast for the senses, with sights, sounds and tastes to please even the most seasoned Stampede cowboy or cowgirl!

Over 700 people stopped by to see what the noise was all about (our non-stop country classics mix) and find the source of the delicious aroma of free pancakes, sausages and coffee.

A huge thanks to the Sarcee Plaza Starbucks, George Ross Caterers, and Tree of Life Canada for their donations to help feed our guests!  We would also like to thank Roberto Villar of Thomas Fresh Inc. for their donation of delicious plums, providing a healthy option on top of our traditional fare.

For the third year in a row, the Killarney Recreation Centre line dancers put their best cowboy boots forward and showed the crowd how it is done.  After the official line dancers departed, breakfasters were also treated to a surprise breakfast flashmob!  Check out the video to see the spectacle!

We had several VIP sightings as the Stampede Queen, Princesses and Indian Princess came by and posed for photos with breakfasters.  Also, back by popular demand, Terry the pony from Horses R Cool riding school was star of the breakfast again this year with
Diane Beaupre to assist him.  This year he got dressed up in honour of the occasion with a braided mane, red boots and Stampede quarter marks: the Stampede Royalty even wanted a photo with him!

Did you or your child get your photo taken with Terry?  Email us to find out how you can get a copy!

Thanks to the local businesses who donated to our E-newsletter sign-up draw:

The Norseman

Glamorgan Safeway

Richmond’s Pub

Mountain View Bowling

Pho Express Vietnamese Restaurant

And congratulations to our winners:

Amy Widdowson

Adrienne Westlund

Shannon Pelletier

Kristine Romain

Carol & Doug Greenwood

Joyclyn

Jennifer England

Holly Johnson

Thank you to all our guests for stopping by!  We look forward to seeing you next year!

Will Everyone Still Belong?

Posted on By Communications Team

Ten years ago, the DDRC led the way in the creation of the community social marketing brand, everyone belongs™ to advocate for the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in Calgary.  In the years since, we have continuously strived to assist our clients to demonstrate by example to all Calgarians that with the right support, everyone can belong.

This spring, the Alberta Provincial Government announced major cuts to the Disability Services Sector that will take effect July 1.  The $42 million dollar cuts will not only hurt our organization and the clients we serve, it will also impact all Calgarians, and beyond that, it will gravely jeopardize the values that have made this province a welcoming home for families of people with developmental disabilities.

In the true spirit of everyone belongs™, DDRC clients and employees have not taken this news lying down: we are aware that to create change, we have to actively express our vision of an inclusive community.  DDRC employees have been supporting clients to be aware of the proposed changes, how these cuts could impact them, and how
to stand up for their rights.

After having witnessed 60 years of Calgary’s past, we are passionately committed to the future of inclusion for the sake of the people that we serve, and for the community as a whole.

We sat down to discuss the past and the future with long-time DDRC employee and advocate, Sue Wedley:

How long have you been working at the DDRC?

It will be 16 years in October.

What was one of the most memorable experiences you have had in your time here?

The closing of Manchester Industries (a sheltered workshop
run by the DDRC), because it opened doors for a lot of people. It was an
opportunity for people to get out and get jobs. It was a fresh beginning.

Why do you think that the PDD cuts are so critical?

It has been such a struggle in the last 16 years to get people out in the community, finding employment, building relationships and friendships, and that could all be lost. This is a field that I chose; I have been working with people with disabilities since high school. So to me, it means a lot that this does not happen.

What advice or encouragement would you give to others in the sector in regards to the PDD cuts? What would you like to see others doing?

Speak up, or there’s not going to be a sector. If you are not being heard, then you have to get louder.  We have to strongly encourage people to write to their MLAs.  I love my job, and I have a commitment to the clients that I support. Part of my job is their voice.

 

We’ve Hit the Ground Running!

Posted on By Communications Team

On your marks, get set, go! On Sunday, May 26th, DDRC clients, employees, friends, and family members were off and running as part of the 49th Annual Scotiabank Calgary Marathon. With 19 team members running the five kilometer race, three running the 10k, six in the half marathon, and one full marathon runner, our blue and white DDRC t-shirts could be seen throughout the course (as well as in the stands, thanks to our dedicated cheering crew!)

Each year, Scotiabank Calgary Marathon offers charities the chance to register in the Charity Challenge portion of the event. This means that runners can choose to raise money for a specific cause or organization as a way of giving meaning to their run or walk. This year 76 different charities participated in this great fundraiser, and the DDRC was excited to be one of them!

Our team of 29 runners and walkers have raised a total of $9,665 to date, and are accepting donations until June 18th with the hope of meeting our $10,000 goal. The team consisted of 14 DDRC employees, 4 clients, and 11 friends and family members. The DDRC’s Comprehensive Care Team Leader, Cassandra Therens, even walked the 5k course carrying a life-sized cut-out of Rick Mercer, with the hopes of getting the Canadian celebrity’s attention (we’ll let you know if it worked!).

Team DDRC would like to say an enormous THANK YOU to our 163 generous donors, and is looking forward to participating in the 50th Annual Calgary Marathon next spring … only 367 days to go!

If you would like to sponsor a member of Team DDRC, or to see the team’s fundraising results to date, click here.