Bucalo Family Foundation

08/07/2026

Awesome upcoming opportunity to learn more at GiGi's Playhouse Tampa!

Your invited to our Family Speaker: Parent University Program. Join us each month as we welcome guest speakers from community organizations to share valuable information, resources, and tools to support individuals with Down syndrome and their families. 💙

This month, we're excited to welcome Dr. Joleen Fernald from REConnections DIR Center for an informative presentation on DIRFloortime.📚

Whether you join us in- person or virtually, this is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect with other families. Register today using the calendar link in our bio! 💛

📣 Are you a business or organization interested in presenting at one of our monthly Family Speaker: Parent University programs? We'd love to connect! Email us at [email protected] to learn more about becoming a guest speaker and sharing your expertise with our families.

08/06/2026

Because of the incredible generosity of our community, the Bucalo Family Foundation was proud to present GiGi's Playhouse Tampa with a $60,000 donation from the proceeds of our annual Aiming for Acceptance Clay Shoot.
This donation is a testament to what can happen when people come together for a shared purpose.

To our donors, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, self-advocates, and everyone who supports this mission—thank you. Your generosity, dedication, and belief in inclusion made this possible.

Every sponsorship, every donation, every volunteer hour, every vendor partnership, and every participant played a role in helping provide life-changing educational, therapeutic, career development, and social programs at no cost to individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Together, we're building a more accepting, inclusive community and creating opportunities that will make a lasting impact for years to come.
Thank you for believing in ExtraOrdinary potential. 💙💛

08/05/2026

🤝 Proud to Support Chasing Life Foundation!

We believe that when nonprofits work together, our entire community benefits.

The Bucalo Family Foundation is honored to support Chasing Life Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to provide hope, resources, and support to children and families facing pediatric cancer, medical complexities, and other life-threatening illnesses throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Thank you for the incredible work you do and for making a lasting impact on so many families. We're proud to stand beside you.

💙💛

07/31/2026

BFF is thrilled to announce our 2026 EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT AWARD WINNERS!

Created to honor teachers, therapists and support professionals who go above and beyond in making a lasting difference in the lives of others. Their unwavering dedication, compassion, and commitment to creating a better world exemplify exactly what this award stands for.

Whether through tireless service, advocacy, mentorship, or leadership, the impact is undeniable— and deeply inspiring.Touching hearts, lifting spirits, and creating meaningful change in ways that ripple far beyond what can be traditionally measured!

We are proud to recognize Ms Kendal Klein!

Says his nominating family:
I would like to nominate Kendal Klein, M.S., CCC-SLP (Heart4kids therapy)for the Extraordinary Impact Award because of the meaningful difference she has made in my son’s life. My son faces significant challenges with apraxia and auditory processing, and Kendal has approached his care with exceptional patience, skill, and genuine compassion. She not only understands the complexity of his needs, but consistently adapts her techniques to meet him where he is, helping him build confidence and find his voice in ways we once struggled to imagine. Kendal goes beyond what is expected. She communicates clearly with our family, supports us with practical strategies, and celebrates every milestone, no matter how small. Her dedication, empathy, and unwavering commitment have had a lasting impact not just on my son’s progress, but on our entire family, and for that, she is truly deserving of this recognition.

07/28/2026

🍳 Great food. Great company. An even greater cause.

One of the best parts of Aiming for Acceptance is bringing our community together. Whether you came for breakfast before hitting the course or grabbed a bite between stations, every meal was another opportunity to connect, laugh, and support an incredible mission.

A special thank you to The Cinnabus, Tap Nomad, CUP - Coffee Uniting People and Big Red's Turkey BBQ & Grill on Wheels for helping make the day even more memorable.

We're already counting down to next year's event!

💙 Together, we're building a more accepting community for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

07/22/2026

🦷💙 Making healthy smiles a little brighter!

The Bucalo Family Foundation is excited to gift Smile Paint Kits to families in our community!

Created by a pediatric speech-language pathologist and inspired by her own son's journey with Down syndrome, Smile Paint transforms toothbrushing into a fun, engaging experience for children who may struggle with traditional brushing routines.

Each kit includes:
🎨 Play-based toothpaste
🪥 A child-friendly toothbrush
🖌️ A paint palette and brush
✨ Fun accessories designed to make brushing something kids look forward to!

We know that everyday routines can sometimes come with unique challenges, and we're grateful for products like Smile Paint that help make those moments a little easier—and a lot more fun.

A heartfelt thank you to Smile Paint for creating such an innovative product and for helping families build healthy habits with confidence.

💙 At the Bucalo Family Foundation, we're proud to support programs and resources that empower individuals with Down syndrome and the families who love them.

07/21/2026

Grateful to have the opportunity to support Chasing Life Foundation for the 2nd year in a row! Thank you to all our sponsors, donors, friends and family who make contributions like this possible!💙💛

07/20/2026

📚 Every child deserves an advocate. Every family deserves support.

Navigating the special education system can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone.

The Bucalo Family Foundation's IEP Advocacy Grant Program helps eligible families in Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough Counties access professional advocacy services to ensure their child receives the educational support they deserve.

Whether you need help preparing for an IEP meeting, reviewing educational records, or understanding the special education process, we're here to help.

💙 Applications are now being accepted!

📧 [email protected]

Learn more at:
🌐 http://www.bucalofamilyfoundation.org

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with families, educators, and community members who may benefit from this program. Together, we can help every child reach their extra ordinary potential.

07/17/2026

Local to Pasco county?Parent,grandparent,teacher,aide,support staff,friend or neighbor??Anyone can join and
for just $7 you can be a part of the soon to be chartered Pasco County Septa!Special Education Parent Teacher Association
Join us in fellowship and collaboration as we share in all the celebrations and challenges that having a child in the school system can bring!
A place to encourage and support fellow families,teachers and support staff,while being transparent and engaged in real discussions and strategy for our kids within their schools!
There is power,resources and fun in numbers💙💛

We are pleased to announce that membership is now able to be purchased for our Pasco County Special Education PTSA! This is a brand new PTSA that will be chartered in the near future!

Join or support with a donation at:

https://pascoccpta.givebacks.com/shop

07/16/2026

BFF is thrilled to announce our 2026 EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT AWARD WINNERS! Created to honor teachers, therapists and support professionals who go above and beyond in making a lasting difference in the lives of others. Their unwavering dedication, compassion, and commitment to creating a better world exemplify exactly what this award stands for.

Whether through tireless service, advocacy, mentorship, or leadership, the impact is undeniable— and deeply inspiring.Touching hearts, lifting spirits, and creating meaningful change in ways that ripple far beyond what can be traditionally measured!

We are proud to recognize Ms LYNN JAMES!

Says her nominating family:

Mrs. James supports my daughter academically in both reading and math, but what makes her truly extraordinary is the way she cares for her as a whole child. She goes far beyond the classroom expectations. She spends breakfast eating with her, walks her into class each morning, and consistently helps her feel safe, loved, and supported.

One moment that especially stayed with me was seeing Mrs. James at the public library outside of school. Without hesitation, she helped take my girl to the bathroom when needed. Or just stopped to talk to her and sit with her and ask what she’s doing or how her day was. That level of compassion and dedication comes from a genuine love for her students.

My daughter absolutely adores Mrs. James. She meets her with patience, encouragement, and high expectations. She not only teaches academics, but also important life skills, independence, and confidence. She has found the perfect balance of loving her student while also challenging her to grow.

The impact Mrs. James has made on our family is immeasurable. She is exactly the kind of educator this award was created to recognize.