Inaugural Champlain Valley Buddy Walk to celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Inaugural Champlain Valley Buddy Walk® to be held October 9

Event Celebrates National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Please join us for the inaugural Champlain Valley Buddy Walk® to be held October 9 at Battery Park in Burlington. The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups, schools and other organizations and individuals. The Buddy Walk is presented by the Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group

Over the past fifteen years, the Buddy Walk program has grown from 17 walks to more than 300 expected in 2010 across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 250,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk! They raised more than $9.5 million to benefit local programs and services as well as the national advocacy initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

The Buddy Walk® is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is a wonderful, heart-warming event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join the Champlain Valley Buddy Walk® on Saturday, October 9 at Battery Park in Burlington starting at 10 am.

Our walk will be the first walk ever in Burlington!

While the Buddy Walk is typically a fund-raising event, this year's inaugural event in Burlington will not include paid sponsors or a fundraising component.  Because planning for our event didn't begin until recently, we have chosen to take the least complicated path. However, we will gladly accept donations to offset the cost of the event.  If you know of someone who is interested in making a donation, please let them know that their donation cannot be considered tax-deductible.  (This is because we are not as yet a 501C3/non-profit)

You can read more about the Buddy Walk® by visiting  www.buddywalk.org .  There are lots of stories, photos and information that can help you become more familiar with this tremendous event.

Champlain Valley Buddy Walk

Date:  Saturday, October 9; 10 am-1 pm

Begin and End at Battery Park

Route:  South on Battery, East on College Street, North on Church Street, West on Pearl Street

Schedule of Day

10:00  - Walkers Arrive

10:30  - Welcome & Speakers

10:45  - Begin Walk

11:30  - Walk ends

11:30 -1PM - Entertainment, Speakers and Children’s activities

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