HDSA Family Christmas Party

Children at the HDSA Family Christmas Party enjoy a game of Duck Duck Goose while waiting for Santa

On Saturday December 4, families from the Heartland Down Syndrome Association gathered for the group's 4th Annual Family Christmas Party. Over 40 members attended and were treated to a special visit from Santa, who distributed gifts to all of the children.

The Heartland Down Syndrome Association was founded in 2006 and is an active support group for families having a child of any age with Down syndrome. The group offers monthly support group meetings as well as fun family events like the Christmas Party and a summer picnic. In October 2010, the group hosted the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk, attended by 185 participants. HDSA is a Community Group of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, founded over 30 years ago.

HDSA meets monthly on the second Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Saint Francis Health and Wellness Center. At the January 8, 2011 meeting, adult self-advocates from People First of Sikeston will present information to the group on the importance of self-advocacy. For more information about HDSA, send an email to heartlanddsa@msn.com or call Claire at 334-5685.