Idaho Falls Moms Blog is excited to feature Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect (EIDS) as our nonprofit for March 2020. Eastern Idaho is fortunate to have a wealth of nonprofit and service organizations. By highlighting some of these groups, we hope to encourage moms and families to get involved and learn about all that our wonderful community has to offer.
Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect (EIDS) is a 501(c) 3 organization that serves all individuals with Down syndrome no matter their age. The organization serves these individuals along with their families in a variety of ways.
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Support before and at birth is given via BrynnLe’s Baskets, where EIDS provides local hospitals with newborn baskets filled with welcome gifts and educational information
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First Call which helps support and guide parents with a new diagnosis, funds for intensive medical needs and NICU stays, and grants to help families cover costs of medical and adaptive equipment, guardianship fees, and other expenses.
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Lifetime support is given via social events, play groups, and a one week bike camp where 30 to 40 kids and adults with disabilities learn to ride two wheeled bikes (iCan Bike).
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Parent and Grandparent support is met via educational panels and classes to help educate the parents and caretakers of individuals with Down syndrome, with retreats for parents with children with Down syndrome to gain knowledge and skills while bonding with other parents, with a grandparent support group, and via Gifts from Gracen, which is a program that provides resource for families to help cover funeral expenses when loved ones with Down syndrome pass away.
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EIDS also supports the general community with use of lesson plans and kits to teach children and adults about Down syndrome.
The multitude of services that EIDS provides supports their mission “to build a positive connective between individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and Eastern Idaho.”
With around 1,000 participants, the “Dash for Down Syndrome” is Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect‘s main fundraiser. The race includes a fun mile run/walk, a 3.21 mile, and a 10k race. It is a day of celebration for our individuals with Down Syndrome. The community is invited to come and be a part of this race. Join them this year on August 22nd at the Snake River Landing in Idaho Falls. Information on registration can be found at: https://dashfordownsyndrome.itsyourrace.com//event.aspx?id=4752 . You can also follow “Dash for Down Syndrome” on Facebook. Additional donations to EIDS can be made at https://www.easternidahodownsyndrome.org/how-to-help/donate.html .
For more information regarding Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect, please visit www.easternidahodownsyndrome.org, or contact Mary Murray, Vice President and Race Director, via email at info@easternidahodownsyndrome.org or phone at 208-520-9900. You can also follow Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect on Facebook and on Instagram !
