Global Down Syndrome Foundation launches Be Beautiful Be Yourself Hollywood Ball

A glamorous night of dinner, dancing and awards on June 29, 2012

Littleton, CO – The first annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Hollywood Ball for Colorado’s adults with Down syndrome will be held on Friday, June 29­­­ from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the former Landmark Theater, now Red Rocks Community Church’s Littleton Campus, 9136 W. Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO. 80123.

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Hollywood Ball is made possible by the generous support of the McDonnell Family Foundation, the Anna & John J. Sie Foundation and Red Rocks Church. Thanks to these sponsorships, the Hollywood Ball is free of charge to individuals 16 and older with Down syndrome. More than 80 people have already RSVP’d, including more than 65 with Down syndrome. Attendees of the Hollywood Ball may bring with a date or come solo, as there will be several “singles” in attendance, specifically looking for new dance partners. Those interested in attending must register online at http://conta.cc/NvIyyy.

The Be Beautiful Be Yourself Hollywood Ball will feature dinner, dancing and awards recognizing members of the Down syndrome community at this first-of-its-kind event. A panel of judges will be on hand to crown the winners of a dance contest the Hollywood Ball King and Queen, in addition to other awards to make sure everyone feels like a Hollywood star.

The evening’s dress code calls for formal attire, and has been generously provided by Pat McDonnell and Anna Sie for all attendees if they register online by Friday, June 15. Registered ladies may pick out a free gown – complete with alterations – at David’s Bridal at 8680-B Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124. Registered gentlemen can be fitted for a rental tuxedo without cost at Denver Tux, 2689 Youngfield St., Suite 3, Lakewood, CO 80215. Registered attendees must make an appointment with the clothiers by June 15. Gentlemen can call Denver Tux at 303-238-3332. Ladies can call Carol Ammon at 303-257-6442 to schedule an appointment with David’s Bridal.

“We are so excited to celebrate the beauty and brilliance of our Down syndrome community, and so grateful to the generous sponsors who made the Hollywood Ball possible,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, Executive Director of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “My mother Anna and Pat McDonnell have been conspiring to do this for years! The night is sure to be glamorous and eye-opening for those who haven’t experienced our community’s ability to rock a dance floor.”

About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a public non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy. Formally established in 2009, the Foundation’s primary focus is to support the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the first academic home in the US committed to research and medical care for people with the condition. Fundraising and government advocacy that corrects the alarming disparity of national funding for people with Down syndrome is a major short-term goal. The Foundation organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show – the single largest annual fundraiser benefitting people with Down syndrome. Programmatically, the Foundation organizes and funds many programs and conferences including the Dare to Play Football and Cheer Camps, Global Down Syndrome Educational Series and Global Down Syndrome Multi-Language Resource Project. The Foundation is an inclusive organization without political or religious affiliation or intention.

About the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation

The Anna and John J. Sie Foundation supports the sharing of knowledge amongst peoples and cultures throughout the global community, with an emphasis on Down syndrome, international security and diplomacy, education, media, business and technology. The foundation is a supporter of the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado, the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome on the Anschutz Medical Campus, the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy at the University of Denver’s Korbel School of International Studies, the Denver Art Museum, the Starz Film Center, and numerous other civic, social and educational institutions.

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