Buddy Walk 2013: “Stay Calm It’s Only An Extra Chromosome”

History
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 now in its eighteenth year.  What started in 1995 as 17 walks has grown to more than 250 walk across the country and around the world.  Last year alone, 285,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk and collectively they raised over $11 million to benefit local programs and services and NDSS national advocacy initiatives.

The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is an inspirational and educational 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 Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky’s Buddy Walk Saturday September 14, 2013 at the Hot Rods Stadium!

A Note From the 15 Annual Buddy Walk Chairman
The time has arrived!! The 2013 Buddy Walk is upon us and we have some exciting changes for this year’s Walk!! The first and most important change is our location; Axle and the Bowling Green Hot Rods will be hosting us at Bowling Green Ballpark September 14. The gates will open at 9am and we will be walking the field around 11. Our very own Rockerz will be performing during the opening ceremonies as well!!

Once again we have online fundraising through Active Giving. This has gradually grown each year, withover $14,000 of the total $50,000 coming in from Active in 2012. I encourage everyone who has a loved one with Down syndrome to set up a “Team” page to fundraise in his/her name. Send the link to all your family, friends and utilize all form of social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) GET THE WORD OUT!!

In addition to setting up a “Team” page online, we are encouraging everyone to carry over the team concept to the day of the Walk. We recognize the team with the most creativity and spirit at the walk and for the last three years it has been the team supporting Dalton Lockhart from Logan County! Keep up the good work Dalton! Anyone going to challenge Dalton in 2013??

Rheanna Plemons and her committee will again host a silent auction!! If anyone would like to help secure items or put together a basket for the auction, please contact Rheanna at: rheanna.plemons@wku.edu or (270) 438-8685

-Rick Ebelhar
rick@dssky.org

How to Register & Fundraise

Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky has partnered with Active Giving for our 2012 Buddy Walk.  If you are interested in collecting money online, please follow the directions below. You must create a new fundraising page for each year!

• Go to http://www.active.com/donate/buddywalk2013.
• At top of the web page, click Become a Fundraiser.
• Enter your login information from last year.  If this is your first year, simply mark NO and continue.  You MUST create an account to use this website.  An account will allow you to create a personalized website for your loved one where your family and friends can donate money.
• Once you have entered your login, or completed your registration, you will be asked to enter a name for your webpage and complete the URL for your page.  I suggest using your loved one’s name.  (ex. www.active.com/donate/buddywalk2013/cadenplemons)
• Once you continue, you are able to modify your personal page–upload a picture, add personal information, etc.  You can set a fundraising goal to display on your webpage.  Review the options for showing your contributors before publishing your page.
• In the bottom right hand corner, click Publish.

Once the page is published, copy your webpage URL and send to all of your friends or share on Facebook!

Please note:  T-shirts will be given to walkers who donate $15.  If donors wish to write a check, please ensure the checks are payable to: Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky Support Group.

Click here to View the 2012 Buddy Walk Teams

 Click here to View the 2012 Billboard featuring the 2011 TOP FUNDRAISER: ALLIE

Click here to View the 2011 Buddy Walk Photo Gallery