BRATTLEBORO — On Saturday, Oct. 5, Brattleboro will host its fifth annual Buddy Walk with proceeds supporting the development of an Inclusive Community Center in Brattleboro.
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. The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to nearly 300 walks planned for 2013 worldwide.
In 2012, more than $11.5 million was raised nationwide to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy and public awareness initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.
With the support of participants and their individual sponsors, this year's Brattleboro Buddy Walk will not only help raise awareness and promote inclusion for people of all abilities but will also make a valuable contribution toward the development of an Inclusive Community Center in Brattleboro.
This center will be a Drop-In Center for people with disabilities and all interested community members. It will offer classes, socialization and recreation for everyone interested in participating and will be participant-focused and led. Money raised through this year's Buddy Walk will immediately go toward helping the center open its doors.
Participants are encouraged collect pledges to for this project. Registration is free for individuals who collect $50 or more in pledges.
Everyone is welcome to join this special celebration and fundraising effort at the town common in Brattleboro.
In addition to a one mile walk which anyone can participate, the 2013 Brattleboro Buddy Walk will include a keynote address, lunch from the Vermont Country Deli, live music, games, prizes, and vendors that support inclusion for individuals of all abilities. Check in will begin at 10 a.m. at the Common in Brattleboro.
To register, join a team, or securely donate online, visit www.BrattleboroBuddyWalk.org or call Jim Nicholson at 802-258-4699.