The Down Syndrome Family Connections will host the 15th annual Buddy Walk on Sunday, October 2 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the walk will begin at 3:00 p.m.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the walk is being held to show your support. This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 for the DSFC. As of September 27, nearly $12,000 has been raised.
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The web page has an event registration option as well as donation options. However, people can register in person on Sunday. Participants have the option of registering with a team of their choice or individually. Registration costs $15.45, which includes a t-shirt and a $0.45 cover processing fee.
The DSFC is a non-profit community organization that hosts events to spread information and educate communities about Down syndrome. There are other events they host, as well as many opportunities to donate or volunteer to serve the community, according to their web site Many events were canceled due to Covid-10, but this year they hope to have a holiday party and Cocoa Couture fashion show, according to DSFC board president Cyndi Johnson.
Last year, there were more than 300,000 walks in all 50 states and select countries and $12 million was raised to support local programs, according to their reports. web site
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The event will include face painting, bounce houses and a dance party. There will be a live performance by local Bloomington band Don’t Call Me Betty.
The Buddy Walk will also unveil the 2023 annual calendar, “Beautiful Cares, Extraordinary Lives,” as well as introduce the models featured in the calendar. These calendars were first created in 2009 by mothers who have children with Down syndrome, to spread awareness. The pictures are professionally taken by photographers, and the calendars have educational information about Down syndrome.
