Happy Holidays from FRAXSOCAL!
Dear Family and Friends,
On behalf of the Fragile X Association of Southern California, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support this year! Without YOU it would be impossible to achieve our mission and goals year after year. What an exciting year we have had!
We started the year in the spirt of education! We sent out a Fragile X postcard to a list of local pediatricians, OBGYN’s and neurologists as an effort to educate doctors on what to look for in order to suggest Fragile X testing. In May, we hosted a one day conference on X-pert Advice: Educational & Daily Living Strategies for Fragile X presented by leading “X-perts” in the field, Tracy Stackhouse, MA,OTR and Sarah (Mouse) Scharfenaker, MA, CCC-SLP. FRAXSOCAL participated in many resource fairs throughout the year as well including: Stephanie’s Day at CBS Studios, Special Needs Network’s Back to School at Mt. Carmel Rec. Center, Abilities Awareness Fair in Whittier, and CSUN Family Focus Resource Center.
FRAXSOCAL likes to have FUN! In celebration of CA Fragile X Awareness day (4/18), we held our 4th annual 5K for Fragile X on April 23rd. We are so excited to have a date scheduled for our 5th annual 5K, April 22, 2017, at the same location, Bonelli Park. Plan to make a day of it as we will have a family fun day picnic following the race that you won’t want to miss! Recently, on October 1st, we had a Family Fun Day at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Bowl & Billiards. It was such a great day where our FX family, new and existing, gathered together for a day of fun. Families were able to share their stories with each other, get new ideas and support each other in this FX journey.
This year we welcomed two new FRAXSOCAL board members: Christy Castro and Mitzi Henry. Christy resides close to Temecula and is married with two young children (one child affected by Fragile X). She is close to completing her certification as an Occupational Therapist from Stanbridge College in Orange County. Mitzi resides in Manhattan Beach and is elementary school teacher for the MBUSD. She is married with three young children (one child affected by Fragile X). Both Christy and Mitzi have many skills to offer and are passionate about spreading FX awareness and serving our community.
July is National Fragile X Awareness Month and this year the National Fragile X Foundation (NFXF) held their 15th International Conference in San Antonio, TX. As most of you know, this conference is held every other year in a different location. The next one will be held in Cincinnati, OH from July 11 – 15, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency (more information at fragilex.org). You can start saving now since we encourage everyone to attend and be a part of this spectacular event! FRAXSOCAL also participated in the NFXF’s ‘Let em Know’ campaign. This campaign is designed to spread awareness by posting FX facts through social media as well as raise money for NFXF and our local Community Support Network (CSN). We are one of approximately 49 CSN groups nationwide and have been supporting our local families for over 20 years. We are so lucky to have our founding members of FRAXSOCAL currently serving on our board where they continue to provide their expertise. Thank you Mary Seward, Sali Farber and Charlotte Spahr for all you did and continue to do!
In 2017 we would love to better serve our community as well as fulfill our mission! Our mission includes: promoting public awareness of Fragile X Syndrome with a special emphasis on educators and health professionals, providing a forum for families and children with Fragile X to meet and share their ideas, concerns and problems, and support scientific research on Fragile X Syndrome.
In order to strive to accomplish these goals we need your continued support. Please consider helping FRAXSOCAL by providing a 100% tax-deductible donation. Any amount is greatly appreciated and always makes a difference. We want to acknowledge all those who help by volunteering their time and talents to our organization! You know who you are but we really want you to understand how much you are appreciated and necessary to our mission!
Please take a moment to make a safe and secure credit card donation by clicking here or the red “Donate” button below.
We understand there are many non-profit organizations that you can support, therefore, we are extremely honored and grateful when you choose FRAXSOCAL. We wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season and a happy new year!
Sincerely yours,
Jennifer Newsome
FRAXSOCAL President
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