(SAVANNAH, GA) The seventh annual Night of Champions was held at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa – Hotel Grand Ballroom, and was emceed by celebrity chef Jamie Deen. This community event celebrated differently-abled adults, including those with Down syndrome, and recognized the local businesses that employ these individuals. Lead Actor of Where Hope Grows, David DeSanctis, who has Down syndrome, was a guest speaker during the gala.
This year, the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) honored the following individuals and businesses as the 2016 Champions: Willie Baker, Port Wentworth Police & Fire; Charles Brown, St. Joseph’s/Candler; Lee Brown, Five Guys – Pooler; Ryan Peck, Publix – Bluffton; Monique Shields, Zaxby’s; Frank Williams III, Goodwill. The President’s Award was presented to Jay Thompson of Xcel Strategies.
According to the National Down Syndrome Congress, as many as eighty percent of adults with Down syndrome are unemployed. LDSS hopes through this annual event and their ongoing awareness campaign, that they can lessen this statistic and increase the level of understanding required to recognize the skills and contributions present in these individuals.
For more information on LDSS’ annual Night of Champions, visit http://nightofchampions.org.
ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is a family support group to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through local leadership, outreach, education, and advocacy to champion and celebrate acceptance and inclusion. Meetings are held every 4th Tuesday of the month, typically with a guest speaker and social time for families to meet and interact with one another. LDSS encourages people to bring their children. LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society. For more information about LDSS, visit http://www.ldssga.org/
CONTACT
Candy Bogardus
Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society
912-728-8505
jcbogardus@gmail.com
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
CarriageTrade PR
912-844-9990
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
www.carriagetradepr.com