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NDSS Wins National Pacesetter Award
  (L) Becky Switalski, National Buddy Walk® Director, accepts Pacesetter Award for Best Recruitment Brochure from David Hessekiel, President, Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council
(R) Front cover of 2008 New York City Buddy Walk® brochure The winners of the 1st Run Walk Ride Pacesetter Awards were recognized at the Run Walk Ride Conference in Dallas, Texas on March 6. The National Down Syndrome Society was proud to be honored alongside several of the nation’s leading charitable organizations. The winners of the awards were:
The judges shared their reasons for selecting the NDSS brochure, claiming that it is “beautifully illustrated and full of mission-related information, the oversized brochure is generous in the space it allocates to a user-friendly registration form and to sponsor recognition.” Click here to read more about the Run Walk Ride Pacesetter Award winners. We are pleased to bring you some of the 2008 Buddy Walk® highlights that have been shared with us:
· The 7th Annual Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati had their largest turnout ever, with over 9,000 participants crossing the Purple People Bridge on the two mile loop between Newport, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Over $375,000 was raised to support the ongoing programs the DSAGC offers to more than 1,000 local families in additional to the national advocacy efforts of the National Down Syndrome Society.
· The 13th Annual Kansas City Buddy Walk® raised over $450,000, with nearly 7,000 participants coming out to Arrowhead Stadium to celebrate life with Down syndrome.
The 12th Annual Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress Buddy Walk® raised nearly $177,000 and had over 1,700 walkers. All funds will be applied to programs that support MDSC and NDSS.
· The Down Syndrome Association of the Valley held their first annual Buddy Walk® in Boardman, OH. They had 2,000 walkers and raised over $60,000 to offer programs, resources and support for families in the Mahoning & Shenango valleys, in addition to the national programs of the National Down Syndrome Society.
· The Down Syndrome Association of San Antonio had its most successful event ever with over 3,000 participants coming out for their 8th annual Buddy Walk®. The Down Syndrome Association of San Antonio decided earlier this year to no longer charge a registration fee and raised a record $120,000 this year. The funds raised will support the many services the DSASA provides to their families, and assisted NDSS in education, research and advocacy initiatives.
· The 1st Annual Buddy Walk® of Carlisle also took place this fall, with 287 participants coming out to support the first Buddy Walk® in the area. Over $8,000 was raised to support the Central Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Support Group and the National Down Syndrome Society.
· The Council Bluffs, IA Buddy Walk® reported a record 600 people turning out for their event, which raises awareness in their community. On the eve of the Walk, Victoria Alba, the 17 year old daughter of the Walk organizer (and inspiration for the Walk), Kyla Alba, was crowned the Homecoming Queen at her high school Homecoming Dance. Victoria is one of three girls with Down syndrome named Homecoming Queen in 2008.
· The 13th Annual Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center Buddy Walk® reported a nearly 400% increase in attendance with close to 700 people turning out. Walk organizers credit this increase to the signiciant editorial coverage pre-event, as well as increased programming and activities scheduled. The highlight of the day was a concert by Elvis tribute artist, John Jensen, who traveled from Cleveland, OH to perform for the event. This event was held in Schenectady, NY.
· The Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center sponsored the Lehigh Valley's 9th Annual Buddy Walk® in memory of Melissa Riggio, the daughter of Steve Riggio, CEO of Barnes & Noble. Melissa passed away in April of 2008. Over 826 people attended the Walk and more than $62,000 was raised. A $3,000 donation was made to NDSS in Melissa's memory.
The 2nd Annual Northeast Mississippi Down Syndrome Society was the first to stream their Buddy Walk® over the internet. The Buddy Walk® took place on Saturday, October 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m and was shown in its entirety, including the opening remarks, rewards ceremony and live entertainment by Company d, a dance troupe sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis, Three Days Journey and Signs of Life. There were over 400 hits to the LIVE stream page from Rhode Island, Virginia, South Carolina, Nevada, California, Alabama, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas.
In 2008, more than $10 million was raised to support local and national efforts. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. A very special thank you to all of the Buddy Walk® events that contributed part of their Buddy Walk® proceeds to NDSS.
Below is a list of all groups that contributed as of March 6, 2009:
Acton Up With Downs - Panama City Beach, FL Alaska Chapter Down Syndrome Congress - Anchorage, AK ASPIRO - Green Bay, WI Bergen County Buddy Walk® -Wyckoff, NJ Berkshire County Arc - Pittsfield, MA
Bethel Buddy Walk® - Bethel, CT Bradford County Buddy Walk® - Towanda, PA Broward Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization - Hollywood, FL BUDS - Huntsville, AL BUDS - Washington Township, NJ B.U.D.S. of the Redwoods - Eureka, CA Buddy Walk® of South Plainfield - South Plainfield, NJ Carlisle Buddy Walk® - Carlisle, PA Central California Down Syndrome Foundation - Modesto, CA Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization - Bloomington, IL Central Mississippi Buddy Walk® - Flowood, MS
Centre County Down Syndrome Society - State College, PA Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society - Chattanooga, TN Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association - Colorado Springs, CO Council Bluffs Buddy Walk® - Council Bluffs, IA Designer Genes -Waterloo, IA Designer Genes - Bismarck, ND Down Syndrome Association for Families - Lincoln, NE Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana - Lafayette, LA Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky - Lexington, KY Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville - Jacksonville, FL Down Syndrome Association of the Valley - Boardman, OH
Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio - Columbus, OH Down Syndrome Association of Charlotte - Charlotte, NC Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans - New Orleans, LA Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond - Richmond, WA Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-Columbia - Richland, WA Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Arkansas - Jonesboro, AR Down Syndrome Association of San Diego - San Diego, CA Down Syndrome Association of Western Michigan - Grand Rapids, MI Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area - Walnut Creek, CA Down Syndrome Family Alliance of Greenville - Greenville, SC
Down Syndrome Family Connection - Bloomington, IN Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas - Dallas, TX Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City - Shawnee Mission, KS Down Syndrome Information Network of Twin Tiers - Elmira, NY Down Syndrome Network of Champaign County - Urbana, IL Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County - Rockville, MD Down Syndrome Society of Wichita - Wichita, KS Down Syndrome Support-Oakbrook, IL Down Syndrome Support Team- Saline, MI Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center - Trexlertown, PA Family Support Network -Jackson, MI Flower City Down Syndrome Network - Rochester, NY FRIENDS- Johnson City, TN
F.R.I.E.N.D.S.- Frederick, MD Get Down with Y - Town-Yorktown, NY Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization of Palm Beach County - Lake Worth, FL Golden Key School for Exceptional Children - North Canton, OH Glynn County Buddy Walk® - St. Simons Island, GA Hart County Buddy Walk® - Hartwell, GA Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association - Peoria, IL Hopes and Dreams Foundation - Churchville, PA
Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation - Indianapolis, IN Keuka College - Keuka, NY Knology –Wiregrass Area Buddy Walk® - Dothan, AL Lackawanna County Parents of Down Syndrome - Olyphant, PA Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Support Group - Springfield, IL Livingston Area Down Syndrome Society - Chatsworth, IL Long Island Buddy Walk® - East Islip, NY Longview Area Down Syndrome Support Group - Longview, TX Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress - Wakefield, MA Michiana Buddy Walk® - DSFAG-Mishawaka, IN Middle Georgia Buddy Walk® - Macon, GA
Miracles You Admire - Bridgeport, WV Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group - Montgomery, AL New Directions - Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk® - Sioux Falls, SD Nicky Blue Eyes - Belmar, NJ North Central Kansas Down Syndrome Society - Clyde, KS North Coast Down Syndrome Network -Seaside, OR Northeast Mississippi Down Syndrome Society - Saltillo, MS Northwest Down Syndrome Parent Support Group - Portland, OR Northwest Iowa Down Syndrome Society - Sioux City, IA
Omaha Down Syndrome Parent Network - Omaha, NE Our Little Hero COP - Mt. Holly, NJ Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network - Clemmons, NC Psi Chi - St. Xavier University - Chicago, IL Putting Downs First - Warren, OH Red River Valley Down Syndrome Association - Paris, TX Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk Buddy Walk® - Rehoboth Beach, DE Shanoah’s Angels Down on Earth - Greenbush, MN Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network - San Jose, CA Southern Maine Down Syndrome Family Network - Portland, ME South Shore Buddy Walk® - Abington, MA
Southwest Minnesota Buddy Walk® - St. James, MN Suncoast Buddy Walk® - Inverness, FL Tarrant County Buddy Walk® - Arlington, TX The Brighter Side of Down Syndrome of San Joaquin - Stockton, CA Ups of Downs Family Support Group - Rapid City, SD Up Side of Downs of Greater Cleveland - Cleveland, OH Up With Down Family Support Group - Des Moines, IA Valencia County Buddy Walk® - Belen, NM Walk for Doug - Wildwood Crest, NJ Western Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance - Asheville, NC
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