buddy walk

The 2007 Down Syndrome Family Alliance of Greenville Buddy Walk was held Sunday, September 30, at Furman University’s Paladin Plaza.

It was one of nearly 190 Buddy Walks planned in cities across the country this fall. The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to to bring together a wide range of concerned individuals to reach out to friends, family and co-workers to promote awareness, advocacy and inclusion for people with Down syndrome.

Nearly 700 people attended the event, and the Down Syndrome Family Alliance raised approximately $30,000 to benefit our children and families. This success is without precedent.

News Channel 4 WYFF Co-anchor Carol Goldsmith was the Master of Ceremonies. Walkers enjoyed free food and beverages, and were entertained by the Piedmont Boys, a local acoustic band. A Live Butterfly Release ceremony celebrating the lives and potential of all people with Down syndrome concluded the day’s festivities.

More than 200,000 people from coast to coast and abroad participated in a Buddy Walk last year. This year, it is anticipated that more than 250 walks will occur in the United States and abroad.

The goal of the Buddy Walk is to promote understanding and acceptance of people with Down syndrome.

Presenting Sponsors for gifts of $1,000

SAM Group, Inc.
BI-LO

Supporting Sponsors for gifts of $500

Ahold USA
Archie’s Room
Ashby Park Pediatric Dentistry
BMW Manufacturing Co.
Cameron Construction, Inc.
Dynamic Exhibits
Edy’s Ice Cream
Rourk B. Freeman, DMD, PA
GHS Children’s Hosptial
MDI
On-Site Wood Repair
Pazdan-Smith Group Architects
Skyline Displays
Upstate Maternal Fetal Medicine

Event Sponsors for gifts of $250

Fuller Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Partner Sponsors for gifts of $100

Mac Bowers, DMD, PA
J. R. Fuzia, DMD, PA
G. Gray Kitchens, Jr., DMD, PA
Lewis, Karen, Claire and Ellis Moore
James B. Tankersley Jr., DMD
Zen Garden Spa

Patron Sponsors for gifts of $50

Terry A. Willis, DMD
Dr. Harry G. Bobotis
IBM
Upstate OMS & Dental Implant Center

Buddy Sponsors in-kind donations

…and why not balloons
Awards & Sports
Dogs On Wheels
Duncan Chapel Fire Department
Mr. Earl Frady & Shriner’s Clowns
Furman University
Gabby Gadgets
Sandra Hammack
Imagining Technologies
Michael Jorgue Johnson
Piedmont Boys
WYFF News Channel 4

The money raised by the Family Alliance will cover the expense of the numerous services we offer locally:

• Therapeutic and recreational programs for individuals with Down syndrome;
• New parent resource packet and support group;
• Seminars, discussion sessions and a quarterly newsletter;
• Internet sit providing local and national resources, upcoming event information and an interactive discussion board;
• Resource lending library;
• Social activities such as our ice cream social, Christmas party and St. Patrick’s Day Mother’s Brunch;
• Provide speakers for groups interested in learning more about Down syndrome. 

The Family Alliance also plans to send a generous percentage of funds raised by the Buddy Walk to the National Down Syndrome Society to support their programs and efforts advocating for individuals with Down syndrome, and families touched by Down syndrome. 

This year, we asked Buddy Walk participants to compete in the Buddy Walk Challenge.  We asked participants to create a team, or raise money individually.  During the Buddy Walk awards ceremony, we recognized the top three fundraising individuals or teams as recipients of our Buddy Walk Challenge Award.

The 2007 winners of the Buddy Walk Challenge are: 

First Place – Archie Moore, Raised over $7,500
Second Place – Ryan Matheson, Raised over $5,000
Third Place – Ryan Freeman, Raised over $3,500