/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
This July the Winslow Bulldog football team entered a contest to win free team jerseys. The contest, sponsored by apparel company, Addix Gear was conducted entirely on Facebook and was between Winslow and over 60 other teams nationwide. The purpose of the contest was to supply team jerseys to the team with most votes in support of a cause of their choice. Winslow Bulldog Football chose to support Eme’s Army. In a weeks-long online campaign, Winslow came out on top and won the jerseys with Eme’s Army logos for their team, which they will wear on Senior Night, Oct. 25, at their home game against Payson.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Eme’s Army is a group organized by Winslow educator, Lani Leonard and her husband Eric. The Leonard’s daughter Emerson (Eme) was born with Down Syndrome. Lani said, “When Eme was born, the organization Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona (SDSA) reached out to us to offer support. The volunteers were amazing and we instantly knew we wanted to be a part of their cause.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
According to their website, SDSA’s mission is to, “educate and empower, but especially give hope to individuals who have Down Syndrome so they may grow up to become independent self-advocates.” They also are focused on acceptance and inclusion.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Lani said, “With the help of their main office we started a Northern Arizona Chapter and began meeting with other families in the area who loved someone with Down Syndrome. Each year, SDSA puts on a walk to raise funds to continue to support the families of Arizona. We created Eme’s Army as our team and began to support that walk.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
The annual fundraiser held each fall helps pay for support materials, monthly meetings, parties and other family focused events for those who have Down Syndrome. “I have seen firsthand the difference their organization has made in the lives of these families. For three years, we were the top fundraising team in Arizona. We attribute that success to this amazing community we live in,” said Lani.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
The community has more than shown support for Eme’s Army over the years. “For the last five years the football team has dedicated a game each season to raising awareness for Down Syndrome. So, although Eme’s Army began as our fundraising team, it has become so much more. It is a conversation starter, a community cause and really, a great way to celebrate differences within our little town.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
This season not only will the Eme’s Army Down Syndrome Awareness Game take place, but now the team will be sporting Eme’s Army jerseys. “The most important thing out of all of this is that the students and athletes and community members are becoming educated in some form about acceptance and love. Currently, one in 700 children are born with Down Syndrome. The technical name for it, Trisomy 21 means three copies of the 21st chromosome. Anyone can be born with Down Syndrome and can be happy, healthy members of our communities.”
/wp:paragraph
