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2,000 take part in Buddy Walk
By Sean Barron
BOARDMAN
Curtis Herman might not be a household name like LeBron James, but he often receives celebrity treatment when he visits one of Austintown’s big-box stores.
“He’s a very exciting, energetic 9-year-old kid who likes to do things all of his peers do,” said his mother, Heidi Herman of Lake Milton. “Curtis thinks he’s like every other kid.”
One source of enjoyment for Curtis, who has Down syndrome, is visiting the Walmart store on Mahoning Avenue, where he’s a familiar figure who often enjoys shaking people’s hands. Many customers talk to and greet him in return without alluding to his condition, but that’s the point, Heidi contends.
Another source of fun for the boy and his family was being in Saturday’s seventh annual Buddy Walk of the Valley at Shops at Boardman Park.
Hosting the four-hour event was the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley, a Boardman-based nonprofit organization that offers advocacy, support services, educational opportunities and resources for those with the condition and their families.
An estimated 2,000 participants and volunteers took part individually or as part of about 50 teams in the 1-mile walk and fundraiser to increase awareness of and funding for programs to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families.
At least 150 attendees were from area Walmart stores, and Walmart was a major sponsor, noted Michele Jones, DSAV’s president and co-founder.
About 93 percent of money raised stays in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, Jones said, noting that the walks have brought in more than $500,000 since 2008.
Heidi Herman, who was part of a team called “Curtis’s Curcle of Friends,” said that her son is in a challenger baseball league this year for youngsters with various challenges. In addition, said Heidi, who works at General Motors Co. in Lordstown, he receives physical therapy through a horseback-riding program.
Also in the walk around the Shops’ perimeter were Curtis’ grandmother and his aunt, Joann Newman. Both work at local Walmart stores and brought co-workers.
Teams formed on behalf of someone with Down syndrome included names such as “Addi’s Advocates,” “Audrey’s Angels,” “Ava’s Army,” “Crusin’ for Christian,” “Lovin’ Lauren,” “Noah’s Net,” “Paiten’s People,” “Team Gabby” and “Walkin’ for Wesley.”
Among the 20 walkers who made up “Ava’s Army” were Andrew and Marissa Mickley of Canfield, parents of 8-month-old Ava Mickley, who has Down syndrome.
“Her smile is infectious. She’s always there to greet us with a smile in the morning,” Andrew said proudly.
Andrew and Marissa explained that their daughter loves to play with her 2-year-old brother, Michael, and is determined to accomplish a variety of tasks. For example, Ava suddenly sat up in a lounge chair after having experienced difficulty, her father recalled.
“She surprises me daily,” added Marissa, who said that Ava also has taught her to be more loving and compassionate.
Roughly 224 family members, friends and others made up the “Lovin’ Lauren” team, named after 10-year-old Lauren Jones, Michele Jones’ daughter.
Among those who joined the effort were members of Howland High School’s varsity and junior-varsity football teams. Lauren’s oldest brother plays on the varsity team.
“We want to get the word out that people with Down syndrome are more alike than different,” Michele Jones said, noting that $2,000 in scholarships was given Saturday to qualified students who are studying education, with the focus on helping those with the condition.
The walk also featured numerous activities for children, a gift-basket raffle, clowns and prizes.