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Buddy Walk Saturday promotes Down syndrome acceptance
By Bruce Walton
BOARDMAN
People with Down syndrome, as well as their parents, friends and relatives, may feel as if they are alone at times.
But the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley’s Buddy Walk of the Valley promotes inclusion and acceptance of Down syndrome to let them know that those with the genetic disorder should be celebrated.
The association’s ninth walk will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Shops at Boardman Park. After the walk, participants can relax, enjoy lunch, raffles, entertainment, and other activities.
Lindsey Morris, the association’s programming and events coordinator, said this year’s goal is $125,000 through donations, registration fees and event sponsorship.
In addition to providing solidarity and inclusion, the walk is the largest fund-raising event for the local chapter. The walk generates about 80 percent of its operating budget to provide support, resources, education and other operations for the year. That’s why Morris said she always has high expectations for the event’s success.
“The Buddy walk and our organization really go hand-in-hand in helping us to become an organization to support individuals with Down syndrome in our area,” she said.
Morris said everyone is welcome to join the walk as long as they support the cause.
Danielle Procopio, the association’s public relations chairwoman, said she joined after her 2-year-old daughter, Elisa, was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She said the organization has prepared and strengthened her on how to be a great mother.
“I think one of the best parts of the Buddy Walk is going out and meeting other parents [of children with Down syndrome],” she said.
She attended her first walk two years ago, just three months after her daughter was born, and said talking with other parents with children diagnosed with the disorder made her feel so much better.
The walk is part of a national Buddy Walk program first organized by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995. The program now has more than 325,000 people expected to participate in more than 250 different walks across the country.
Registration will start an hour before the walk at 9 a.m., but people can pre-register online until the end of today. To donate or register, visit www.dsav.org for details and information.