(SAVANNAH, GA) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society will hold its 14th annual Buddy Walk on Saturday, Oct. 5, in Savannah’s Forsyth Park.
LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society hosts the event each year to draw attention to the strength and needs of individuals with Down Syndrome and to offer families a fun and inclusive outdoor activity. This year’s event has a fundraising goal of $50,000. Expect lots of feet on the ground, along with wheelchairs, carriages and strollers. The event has drawn thousands of attendees each year. This year Sheriff Wilcher will be the Grand Marshall for the event. This marks the second year that healthy lifestyles will be a particular focus of the Buddy Walk, and the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society has once again partnered with Healthy Savannah. Children with Down syndrome face an increased risk for obesity due in part to the syndrome but also to common environmental factors. With that in mind, nutritious lunch options and additional health education will be provided during the event. A festival will follow the walk, complete with face painting, pumpkin painting, bouncy houses, games, music, refreshments and other entertainment. Individual registration is $15, and alternative pricing is offered for families of different sizes. One new feature this year is encouraging families to form teams using the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s website, ldssga.org. “Families from throughout the region look forward to the Buddy Walk each October,” said Whitney Lowery, executive director of LDSS. “Coming together in October, which is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, allows us to not only enjoy fellowship but helps us in our primary goal of promoting changes in local and national policies regarding Down syndrome.” For more information visit ldssga.org or email buddywalk@ldss.org ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) supports people with Down syndrome and their families through local leadership, support, outreach, education and advocacy. Meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month, typically with a guest speaker and social time for families to meet and interact. LDSS encourages the whole family to attend; children of all ages are welcome. LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society. For more information about LDSS, visit ldssga.org CONTACT Whitney Lowery Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society wlowery@ldssga.org