October at Bella Smiles: Celebrating Community, Inclusion & Rett Syndrome Awareness
October is bringing opportunities to connect, celebrate, and support families in our community! đź’ś
At Bella Smiles for Developmental Disabilities, we believe every child deserves to feel included, every family deserves access to meaningful resources, and every individual deserves opportunities to participate in their community.
This October, we're celebrating those values through community events, partnerships, and awareness activities. From joining the Pierce County 321 Buddy Walk/Run to participating in a fall celebration at L'Arche Tahoma Hope Farm and recognizing Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, we're excited to continue connecting with families throughout Pierce County.
Here's a look at what Bella Smiles has been up to and what's still ahead this month!
October 3: Celebrating Inclusion at the 321 Buddy Walk/Run
We kicked off October by joining the Pierce County 321 Buddy Walk/Run on Saturday, October 3!
This community event celebrates individuals with Down syndrome while bringing families, friends, advocates, and local organizations together to promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion.
For Bella Smiles, opportunities like these are about more than attending an event. They're about building relationships, connecting families with community resources, and supporting organizations that share our commitment to individuals with developmental disabilities.
We love seeing our community come together to celebrate different abilities and create meaningful connections!
October 17: Join Us at Harvest of Hope!
🍂 Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
L'Arche Tahoma Hope Farm11814 Vickery Avenue EastTacoma, WA 98446
We're excited to be vending at Harvest of Hope, hosted by L'Arche Tahoma Hope!
L'Arche Tahoma Hope is dedicated to creating a welcoming community where individuals with and without intellectual disabilities can build friendships, share their gifts, and experience a sense of belonging.
Harvest of Hope is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fall season while supporting an organization that shares our passion for inclusion and community.
Stop by the Bella Smiles table and say hello! đź’ś
We'd love to meet you, share information about our programs and resources, and connect with families and community members.
Learn more about Harvest of Hope through L'Arche Tahoma Hope's event page.
October 31: Rett Syndrome Awareness Month — Inclusive Play!
💜 Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 2:00–4:00 PM
Hosted by 321 Buddy at A Place for Me1918 112th Street East, Suite 3Tacoma, WA 98445
October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, promote understanding, and support individuals and families affected by Rett syndrome.
Rett syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects girls and can impact movement, communication, and everyday activities. Awareness helps create opportunities for greater understanding, accessibility, and inclusion.
To recognize this important month, we're excited to share an upcoming Inclusive Play community event hosted by 321 Buddy at A Place for Me!
This event celebrates the importance of creating welcoming spaces where children of different abilities can play, connect, and enjoy being part of their community.
Families attending can look forward to:
🍕 Free pizza, generously donated by Costco.
🧥 Free children's winter jackets, donated by All Saints Knights of Columbus.
đź“– A Guide to Good Hygiene During MPs for Girls with IDD, available at the event.
We're especially excited to share our menstrual hygiene resource guide, developed by Bella Smiles with support from the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). This illustrated resource helps girls with autism and other developmental disabilities, along with their caregivers, better understand menstruation and personal hygiene.
We hope you'll join us as we celebrate acceptance, inclusion, and community!
Different Abilities. Inclusive Play. Brighter Tomorrows.
Together, We're Building a More Inclusive Community
Each event we participate in reminds us of the importance of community partnerships and the difference we can make when we come together.
Whether we're sharing family resources, connecting with other organizations, raising awareness, or creating opportunities for children to participate in inclusive activities, our mission remains the same: to empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through support, resources, and meaningful community connections.
We're grateful for the organizations, volunteers, sponsors, and families who continue to make these opportunities possible.
And we're looking forward to sharing more about each of these events throughout the month!
Stay connected with Bella Smiles!
Follow our social media pages for event reminders, community highlights, and information about our programs and resources.
Visit our website: www.bellasmilesfordd.org
Together, we can continue paving the way with a smile! đź’ś
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