Individuals with Down syndrome, along with their friends and family, will unite for the 2010 RBC Bank Buddy Walk, presented by the Down Syndrome Association of Charlotte (DSAC), on Sunday, October 9th, 2010 at Freedom Park in Charlotte. The Buddy Walk celebrates National Down syndrome Awareness Month in October and promotes awareness and acceptance of Down syndrome.
This has been a record-breaking campaign for the DSAC Buddy Walk. To date, we have 110 teams registered and raised over $92,000 online. Online and offline donations are expected to exceed $100,000 by the end of the event, which will be attended by 1500 members of the Charlotte community. By comparison, the 2009 Buddy Walk was attended by over 1200 people and raised more than $60,000.
Registration, team check-in and festivities begin at 2:00 pm with the walk beginning at 4:00pm.
Family entertainment includes an interactive DJ, moon bounces, a kiddie train, dance performances, an arts & crafts tent, music therapy demonstrations, a Special Olympics team bocce demonstration, a magic show, a vendor fair and much more! There will be food and drinks as well as a fantastic assortment of prizes. Registration is available online through October 6 as well as at the event. A $10 adult and $5 child donation is suggested and includes a t-shirt, food and drink, and access to all activities. The event concludes at 6:00pm.
Over 85% of all money raised stays in the local community to help serve more than 500 families
in the Charlotte area in ways such as providing educational symposia, scholarships for families
and self-advocates to attend the National Down Syndrome Convention, providing new parent
packets to doctors and hospitals, and supporting families and individuals who have been affected
by Down syndrome.
By promoting awareness and acceptance of people with Down syndrome, the DSAC hopes to
break down many of the existing stereotypes about the abilities of people with this genetic
condition and show that they are more like their non-disabled peers than they are different. All
funds raised through the Buddy Walk will benefit local Down syndrome support organizations
and the National Down Syndrome Society’s education, research and advocacy efforts.
Additional information about the Buddy Walk can be found at http://dsac.kintera.org/buddywalk.
For more information, please contact Steve Leyton at buddywalk@dsacnc.org or (704) 609-6154
