NLL San Diego Seals

Seals, Local Charities to Host Stair Climb for Down Syndrome Awareness in Arena

Published on November 23, 2021 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
San Diego Seals News Release


The San Diego Seals announced today that the team has partnered with three of the largest and most impactful local non-profits to host the inaugural Down syndrome Awareness Stair Climb, which will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Pechanga Arena San Diego. Foundation for Developmental Disabilities, San Diego Regional Center and Home of Guiding Hands make up the trio spearheading the effort to raise funds and public awareness to support the intellectual and developmental disabilities community with the professional lacrosse team.

"Hosting an event of this magnitude with three organizations I have tremendous respect for will be transformational for the Down syndrome community," said Seals President Steve Govett. "I encourage everyone to come out for a great day of activities in support of an incredible cause."

The stair climb, which will begin at 3:00pm, will be followed by a dinner under the stars featuring food from San Diego staples. The Seals take on the Calgary Roughnecks for the nightcap at 7pm. Throughout the game, the Seals will showcase the team's commitment to the cause and the connections they've made to people with Down syndrome.

Leading up to the event, Seals players will host a series of free clinics to teach lacrosse to people living with Down syndrome. They'll also give the kids the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design the helmets the players will wear for the game in January. Helmets will be auctioned off on game-night.

"We are so excited to be a part of this event that is going to have such an impact on the families with Down syndrome." said Sitara Sethi, CEO of The Foundation for Developmental Disabilities. "Sports programs and camps have always been a big focus on what we fund at the Foundation and we are grateful to be partnering with the Seals for this wonderful cause."

"There are thousands of individuals within San Diego and Imperial Counties diagnosed with Down syndrome," said Mark Klaus, executive director of San Diego Regional Center. "The San Diego Regional Center is proud to sponsor this exciting opportunity and to partner with the San Diego Seals. The event and activities will give our clients and their families an opportunity to meet professional athletes while promoting their own skills in socialization, coordination, and healthy competition."

"Kicking off Down syndrome Awareness Week this way will have a great impact on the clients we serve, their families and the community at-large," said Edward Hershey, chief executive officer of Home of Guiding Hands. "We are grateful to the Seals, their management, and their players, for selecting Down syndrome individuals and their care-providers."

Last year, the Seals hosted a month-long charity effort and social series with Everbowl to raise funds for Home of Guiding Hands and to get people moving as part of its Fuel for Movement Healthy Lifestyle Challenge. Everbowl is one of several local companies to pledge its support for the January climb.

Early-bird registration, which includes a complimentary pair of Seals Knockaround Sunglasses, is now available at SealsLax.com/stairclimb. For those with physical limitations, the Seals are also creating a course on the playing field inside the arena that doesn't require any vertical ascent. Tickets to this event will sell out so register today!

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