Ready…Set…Walk! It’s time to celebrate this fun filled day with family and friends and celebrate all individuals with Down Syndrome! We will have activities the whole family can enjoy such as a petting zoo, moon bounces, fun games, entertainment, food, speakers, and much, much more! Awards for the “Top Fundraising Team” and “Most Creative” will be announced shortly following the walk.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will be hosting it’s 12th Annual Buddy Walk on Saturday, September 21, 2013 near the band shell at Baker Park, located near beautiful downtown Frederick, Maryland.
Check-in/Registration begins at 11:00 am. Walk begins at 1:00 pm. When you check-in/register, you will receive your tee shirt(s).
The approx. one mile/one-block walk begins and ends at the band shell in Baker Park.
~ Check back for more information. ~
• EXHIBITORS / VENDORS
Again this year, we are pleased to have local organizations and businesses exhibit their services at the Buddy Walk. Also, we will have vendors selling an array of goods. The vendors will be donating a portion of the day’s proceeds to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Some of the items may include TBD So start your holiday shopping early.
• PARKING
Click here for map of parking garages. The locations are:
The Court Street garage is located at 2 S. Court St. and is accessible from S. Court St. and Citizens Way.
The Church Street garage is located at 17 E. Church St. and is accessible from E. Church St. and off of the 100 block of N.Market St. behind the Brewery Pub and Restaurant. (ALERT – May still be closed for renovation by the Buddy Walk.)
The Carroll Creek Garage is located at 44 E. Patrick St. next to the C. Burr Arts Library and is accessible from the 1 st block of E. Patrick St. and off of the 1 st block of S. Market St.
The West Patrick Street garage is located at 138 W. Patrick St. next to the Fredrick County Courthouse on the west side, and is accessible from 2nd block of W. Patrick St. and the first block of S. Court St.
The East All Saints Street Garage and is located at 125 East All Saints Street on the corner of East All Saints and South Carroll Street. (exerpt from www.cityoffrederick.com)
• BUDDY WALK 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 a Buddy Walk in your local community!
For more information on the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Buddy Walk click here.
• ABOUT F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is a Down Syndrome Advocacy Group of parents re-formed in 1999 in Frederick County, Maryland to:
– Be a support and resource group for expectant parents, new parents and extended families of babies born with Down syndrome;
– Provide age-appropriate activities for our children and their friends;
– Advocate for community awareness and acceptance;
– Have monthly meetings with professional speakers experienced in issues relative to Down syndrome;
We meet monthly at the Middletown United Methodist Church at 6:30 PM to share the joys and challenges of parenting.
Please come out and join us!