Ds Connections Nw

05/08/2026

THIS is what happens when community comes together. 💙

We at DSCNW are feeling the love from our community today! You showed up, donated, shared our posts, encouraged us, and helped us reach our goal!

We are whole again! 💙

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU. Your generosity and support mean more than words can express. This community rallied around us during a difficult season, and we are overwhelmed with gratitude.

Now, every additional donation will go toward expanding what we can offer our families:
💙 Expanded medical outreach for new diagnoses
💙 A fall family dance
💙 Lower-cost events so more families can participate
💙 Even more opportunities for connection and support
💙 Future programs and activities for our Inland NW Down syndrome community

Giving is open until May 10th, and every gift, big or small, matters! Every like, comment, and share also helps us reach more people and continue spreading awareness about DSCNW and the families we serve.

Today, we celebrate YOU and the incredible power of community. Thank you for believing in DSCNW and the families we serve. 💙

When , DSCNW Thrives! Link to donate in first comment.

05/07/2026

💙 GIVING OPEN UNTIL MAY 10th 💙

Meet some of the heart behind DSCNW. This photo was taken last night at the gathering at , a team that has faced a difficult season, yet continues to show up with hope, determination, and love for our Down syndrome community.

Because of YOU, we are now at 79% of being whole again. We cannot fully express how grateful we are for this incredible community that has rallied around DSCNW during this time. Every donation, share, message, and word of encouragement has reminded us that we are not alone.

Today is the FINAL DAY to give, and we are so close to reaching our goals and potentially earning leaderboard prizes that would make a huge impact for the families we serve.

If we surpass our goal, we have so many dreams for our local Inland NW Down syndrome community:
💙 Expanded medical outreach for new diagnoses
💙 A summer camp for our families
💙 A fall dance for families
💙 Lower-cost events so more families can participate
💙 Even more opportunities for connection and support

If DSCNW has touched your life, encouraged your family, connected you with community, or made you smile, please consider making a donation today. Every dollar matters right now, and every gift helps us continue building a future filled with connection, support, advocacy, and joy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Thank you for believing in DSCNW. Thank you for standing with us. 💙
Donation link in first comment on Facebook.
Link in bio on Instagram.

05/06/2026

Meet Marissa. 💙

She is the reason Down Syndrome Connections NW exists.

Marissa is a beautiful human who loves country music, dancing, her boyfriend, and most of all, her family. Her mom, Susan Villelli, founded DSCNW in 2009 after recognizing the need for connection and support for families navigating a Down syndrome diagnosis.

Since then, Susan has served as DSCNW’s board president and its biggest champion. The Villelli family has poured so much love into this organization because they understand, firsthand, the power of connection. They live this life every day, and their heart for this community is at the center of everything we do.
Now, we’re in the final stretch.

There are only 2 days left in the Idaho Gives campaign - and after everything we’ve faced this year, this moment matters more than ever.

This recent Flipcause fraud (read more on our Idaho Gives page) has been incredibly difficult for DSCNW. But our team is strong, determined, and moving forward - focused on the future and all we will continue to build for our Inland Northwest Down syndrome community.

Today, we have a powerful opportunity.

The next 64 $21 donations will be tripled thanks to our generous sponsor and a $5,000 match - turning each $21 gift into $63.

We have $4,000 left in matching funds, so now is the time to act - your donation will be tripled while funds last.

We’re asking for $21 in honor of Trisomy 21, the genetic condition that causes Down syndrome.
That match won’t last - and time is running out.

Will you be one of the 64?

Please don’t wait - these final 2 days will make all the difference. Your support right now helps ensure this community continues to grow, connect, and thrive. 💙

Please like, comment, and share to help us reach 64 donors before time runs out.

Link to donate in first comment.

05/06/2026

When , DS Connections NW Thrives!

All donations matched until our generous $5,000 donation match is depleted!!! Give $10, give $21 or another amount all donations matched!

https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/ds-connections-northwest

05/06/2026

Meet Shereé and Tera. 💙

They’ve been an integral part of DSCNW, always showing up to volunteer and support our community. This photo captures a special moment where they got to be on the receiving end - enjoying our Mother’s Day Tea last Saturday, where mothers and daughters came together for a few hours of connection, pampering, and love, thanks to some incredible volunteers.

These are the moments your support makes possible.

Because of you, we’ve already raised $8,112 - and today, we received a $5,000 matching donation.

We are so close.

Right now, it would take just 304 people giving $21 to help us reach our goal and be whole again. Every dollar you give will be matched, doubling your impact for families like Shereé and Tera’s.

This community matters. These connections matter.

Will you be one of the 304?

Please don’t wait. Your $21 will go twice as far and mean more than you know. 💙

Please like, comment, and share to help us reach those 304 people.
Donate here: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/ds-connections-northwest

05/05/2026

Meet Kristi and Isaac. 💙

Kristi and Isaac are a valued part of our DS Connections NW family.

Today, she’s sharing what this community means to her family - and the impact connection, support, and belonging can have along the journey.

🚨 And right now, your support goes even further 🚨
A generous donor is matching every gift dollar for dollar up to $5,000.

That means your donation today has DOUBLE the impact for families like Kristi and Isaac’s.

We are also so close to breaking into the top 5 for unique donors during , which unlocks additional bonus funding. Every single donor matters right now.

Give $10, give $21, give what you can - it all counts, and it will be matched.

👉 Donate at the link in the first comment

📣 Please like, share, and help us reach more people by May 7 💙

Link to our campaign is in the first comment 💙

05/05/2026

When , DS Connections NW thrives 💙

We have a simple goal that can make a big impact:
If 685 people give just $21, we will be whole again.

That is the power of community.

That is the power of showing up for individuals with Down syndrome and their families right here in the Inland Northwest.

Will you be one of the 685?

Give $21 today and help us continue building connection, support, and belonging for every family we serve:

https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/ds-connections-northwest

05/04/2026

Hands to Art fans - this one is for you - want to win a $50 Hands to Art gift card?

Hands to Art has graciously partnered with us and our very talented board member, Kim W., designed a beautiful Idaho Gives window display.

Here's what you need to do to be entered to win the $50 gift card:
- Head over to Hands to Art on Government Way
- Take a selfie or photo with the window display
- Post your photo to social media and tag on social media to be entered to win a $50 gift card from Hands to Art!

Get those photos posted May 4th - 7th to be entered to win!

Want to Win a $50 Hands to Art Gift Certificate???? Well, read this and you will learn how!
We have partnered with our friends at in support of their mission to try to raise money for their non profit helping all people and families in the Down Syndrome Community!

Unfortunately, Ds Connections Nw were one of many victims of A fundraising platform for nonprofits known as Flipcause. Flipcause is facing a class-action lawsuit and bankruptcy after allegedly withholding over $29 million in donations from more than 3,200 organizations. Our friends at Ds Connections lost over $20,000.

Idaho Gives, a program of the Idaho Community Foundation and powered by ICCU, is designed to bring the state together, raising money and awareness for Idaho nonprofits. Donations can be collected between now and May 7, 2026.

We have made this beautiful window display at Hands to Art to showcase Ds Connections and Idaho Gives and encourage people to make donations between now and May 7th where their donations WILL be matched thanks to Idaho Gives, helping our Ds Connections Nw to raise money twice as fast!

How you can Help?!? Well, if YOU want to win a $50 Hands to Art Gift Certificate, Stop by the studio and take a photo with our display, then post your picture on Facebook and tag to help spread the word! And if you feel so inclined to make a donation to help them raise back the money for their families!
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05/04/2026

📣 Please like, share, and comment so we can get this campaign in front of as many people as possible.

If 726 people give just $21, we will be whole again. Will you donate $21?

💙 Idaho Gives is here, and we need you! 💛

At Ds Connections NW, we are building a community where individuals with Down syndrome and their families feel supported, connected, and empowered every step of the way.

From welcoming new parents with Beau’s Baskets, to hosting teen and young adult groups, to providing education and resources for families and professionals - your support makes it all possible.

We envision a world where people with Down syndrome are included, valued, and given every opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams.

✨ During Idaho Gives, your donation goes even further.
Every gift helps us continue programs that bring connection, education, and opportunity to families across the Inland Northwest.

No donation is too small. Every dollar makes a difference.

👉 Give today and be part of something meaningful: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/ds-connections-northwest

If you can’t give right now, please share - we need your voice. We’ve raised $5,600 of our $20,869 goal and urgently need your help to reach the rest. If 726 people give just $21, we will be whole again. Please read our Idaho Gives campaign to learn why this matters right now.

Thank you for standing with our community 💙

05/03/2026

Our hearts are so full after today’s Mother’s Day tea party with DSCNW 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate such a special day together. The joy, connection, and love in the room were truly unforgettable.

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers from Ladies Homestead Gathering, Cammeron, Cheryl, and Kelly. You are simply the best!

We’re so grateful to Garnet Cafe for the delicious lemon curd, and to Naturally Scotland for the wonderful tea samplers that everyone got to take home.

Thank you to Amanda, our Medical Outreach Director, for such an informative and inspiring tea talk. Safe to say, some of us are rethinking our bedtime tea routines!

And thank you to Kim W., our amazing DSCNW Board member, and her beautiful granddaughter Lila, for all their hard work and being part of this special day.

Events like this take many hands and a whole lot of heart, and every single person involved helped make it truly magical. 💙