Inspiration

The Buddy Walk was once again a huge success and it couldn’t have been done without the love and support of the family and friends of our kids at the DSC. The incredible amount of money that was raised this year not only tells me that these kids are touching their communities in a positive way, but that people are seeing what the DSC is doing, and want to give back.

For those of you that might have shared your first Buddy Walk experience with us this year, there are some fun facts that you might not know about it.
• The Buddy Walk® was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
• The Buddy Walk® has three primary goals:
o To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome;
o To raise funds locally and nationally for education, research and advocacy programs; and
o To enhance the position of the Down syndrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice.
• The Buddy Walk® has grown from 17 to more than 275 in 2008 across the country and around the world.
• At least 250,000 people are expected to participate in more than 280 Buddy Walk® events this year.
• Since 1995, more than 2,000,000 people have participated in the Buddy Walk® program.
• Last year alone, the Buddy Walk® raised more than $10.5 million to benefit local programs and services, as well as national education, research and advocacy initiatives.
• The Buddy Walk® program is supported at the national level by the National Down Syndrome Society. Local Buddy Walk® events are organized by NDSS Affiliates, parent support groups, schools, and other interested organizations and individuals.
• Most Buddy Walk® events take place from September through November to recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
• John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit NBC show "Scrubs," is the 2009 National Buddy Walk® Spokesman. Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max who has Down syndrome.

It takes a lot of people and volunteer hours to make sure this even runs smoothly for all involved. Thank you for those of you who gave.

Would you like to say thank you to someone special for how they contributed to the Buddy Walk? Leave a comment or post!!!