Back in 2010, when Brady Mauritson was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at the age of 2.5, his parents, Clay and Carrie Mauritson, were shocked, and they didn’t know which end was up.
So they researched. And they networked. And they cried — a lot. Eventually, the Healdsburg couple took it upon themselves to start the Down Syndrome Association North Bay (DSANB), a nonprofit charged with promoting advocacy for and raising awareness about the genetic disorder.
They’ve never looked back.
In the years since Brady’s diagnosis, the Mauritsons have raised a total of nearly $1.3 million for the cause — and they’re still at it.
While the DSANB holds events throughout the year, most of this money has been generated from Project Zin, a wine-and-food event and auction held every year at Hotel Healdsburg. All told, 21 wineries participate every year. Chef Charlie Palmer co-hosts the event and helps raise money for the cause. Wine industry icon Daryl Groom gets involved and serves as emcee for the night.
This year’s shindig — the eighth annual — takes place Aug. 17-18 but tickets go on sale next week; June 6, to be exact. Tickets are $200 apiece and every penny goes straight to the charity and Down Syndrome research. Which explains why you should grab them before they sell out.
“The idea was to create an event that people wanted to attend, an event that would get people excited about supporting Down Syndrome research,” says Clay Mauritson. “I think we’ve accomplished that.”
What does DSANB do with the money it raises?
For starters, the organization sponsors a number of outreach efforts designed to bring together other North Bay families grappling with Down Syndrome in some form. According to Mauritson, the group plans at least one get-together every month. He notes that these meet-ups are as much for the kids to socialize as they are for the parents to get together and share best practices and frustrations.
The DSANB also promotes education programs such as seminars for speech language pathologists, and it helped build the “Miracle League” park in Petaluma designed for children who have special needs.
“Anything we can do to make these kids’ lives easier and make them feel like normal kids, we’re going to do it,” Mauritson says. “If my wife and I have learned anything over the years, it’s that you have to advocate for your kids, that nobody’s going to do that for you, and it’s up to you to make sure your kids are always taken care of.”
Of course you don’t have to buy a ticket to Project Zin to contribute; the DSANB accepts straight donations, as well. For more information, visit dsanb.org or inquire in the tasting room at Mauritson Family Winery on Dry Creek Road.
As for Brady, he’s now 10, making his parents proud every day. During last year’s Project Zin event, he took the microphone in front of 200 people and explained the importance of supporting the DSANB — quite a feat for a boy who has overcome challenges with speech.
The moment was as poignant as it was touching, proof that the work the Mauritsons are doing to raise awareness about Down Syndrome is making a difference both in the Healdsburg community, across Sonoma County, and around the Bay Area as a whole. We’ll raise a glass to that.
Matt Villano writes about good people in our community doing great things. Read more of his work at whalehead.com.
