CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – In our latest Giving Grace, we find out more about the great work of the Clarksville Association for Down Syndrome (CADS). The organization was founded in 2009 by Executive Director Patricia Hanna and became a nonprofit in 2012.
Hanna founded the group a couple of years after her son Benjamin was born with Down syndrome. CADS was initially a support group for local families learning to live with the condition.
Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. More than 400,000 people live with Down syndrome in the U.S.
Hanna talked about the mission of the group. “Our mission is to educate and create a support network for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. We are 100 percent volunteer led,” Hanna said.
A visit to the CADS website will show events and programs offered by the organization, including Technology for Teachers, Totes for Teaching and the Making Memories program. CADS is also planning a new Saturday Night Hang Out event at the Crow Community Center in Clarksville on August 17.
Hanna added that CADS wants to help make sure the community knows that all citizens are important and have a place by sharing resources with everybody. One of the many ways the organization shares with the community is the annual Community C.A.R.E.S. Walk & Expo.
This year’s event is set for October 12 from 8:30 a.m. – noon at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. The theme for 2019 is All Stars. Former Austin Peay Men’s Head Basketball Coach Dave Loos is the honorary Chairman of the event along with former APSU Volleyball Coach Cheryl Holt.
“Obviously we’ve identified two great people from the sports world and the community,” said Hanna. “They’re helping us get it all together and I’m just thrilled. They’re just awesome.”
If vendors, organizations, businesses, or anyone else wants to sign up to have a booth for the Community C.A.R.E.S Walk & Expo resource fair, they can download the vendor registration form from the website or call and have the registration emailed to them.
The resource fair is free for nonprofit groups who provide a game for people to participate in. For businesses, the cost is $100 or an in-kind donation. All funds raised at the event will go to CADS.
To learn more about the Clarksville Association for Down syndrome or the Community C.A.R.E.S. Walk & Expo visit www.cadstn.org, or call 931-624-1693.
