Paducah's 11th annual Buddy Walk® will be held at Noble Park Pavilion #16 on Saturday, October 20th. Registration begins at noon and the program which precedes the walk begins at 2:00pm. The Buddy Walk® is approximately a short one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training.
Before and after the walk, you and your team are invited to enjoy lunch, games, a children’s talent show, dancing, and inflatable games.
Down Syndrome Association of Western Kentucky is looking for sponsors to offset the cost of this event. Businesses can participate on several levels, which include recognition on banners, T-shirts, flyers, or on-stage. Business owners can make checks payable to Down Syndrome Association of Western Kentucky (please note “Buddy Walk” on check) and mail it to Down Syndrome Association of Western Kentucky, Attention Kelly Watkins, 801 North 29th Street, Paducah, KY 42001.
The Buddy Walk® was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Since then, it has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to over 250 walks planned for 2012 worldwide. In 2011, more than $11 million was raised nationwide to benefit local programs and services.
This is a fund raising event, but more importantly it is a celebration of the true value of persons with Down syndrome who are active, capable and vibrant members of loving families and communities. If you are a parent who feels that their life has been blessed and enriched because they have a child who has Down syndrome, you can come and share your story.
Please plan to attend and experience joy and gratitude with others who are there. Help make the 11th annual Buddy Walk® a banner year for our children.
October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. There will be information at the event so that anyone can learn more about Down syndrome and how to advocate for individuals with it.
