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Fund-raisers - Buddy Walk Gets Friends Involved
By: Special to Midtown & Downtown Appeal Special to Midtown & Downtown Appeal
Source: The Commercial Appeal Memphis, TN
09/22/2005

Midtown/Downtown women Natalie Jones, Elizabeth Cagle and Kim Morris are third-time volunteers for the annual Buddy Walk.

They donate their time and expertise to assist, even though they are not directly connected to someone with Down syndrome. The committee works hard each year to plan and execute the Buddy Walk, a 1-mile walk that celebrates the accomplishments of people with Down syndrome.

Jones, program director for Hands on Memphis, got involved with the Buddy Walk because of friend and former co-worker Jawanda Mast, chairman of this year's Buddy Walk. Jones is the acting coordinator of the children's area for the Buddy Walk.

"My favorite memories about the Buddy Walk are watching the faces of the children as they come around to the finish line of the walk or see an old friend or get their face painted," said Jones.

Midtowner Elizabeth Cagle also got involved with the Buddy Walk through Mast. She and Mast worked together at Youth Villages when Mast had her daughter, Rachel, who has Down syndrome. Over the years, Cagle remained close friends with Mast and Rachel. When the opportunity to help raise awareness for Down syndrome and help others like Rachel arose, Cagle immediately stepped up to the task.

When Cagle is not working full time as a sales and marketing manager for Henry Turley Realtors, she spends much of her free time facilitating and organizing volunteers who want to lend a helping hand at the Buddy Walk. She likes, "knowing that I can devote just a little time and effort makes a difference in the lives of these people who are affected by Downs and other special needs."

Volunteer Kim Morris got involved in the Buddy Walk a different way. She learned of the event through Hands on Memphis. Eager to volunteer, she then contacted Buddy Walk chair Mast and attended the very next meeting. Morris was recruited to help with public relations for the Buddy Walk. In her second year as a Buddy Walk volunteer, Morris stepped up and became the new public relations chairman.

"It was an honor to be asked to head up the PR committee for this year's Buddy Walk," said Morris. "I can't begin to describe the feeling you get when you know what you are doing is helping make the lives of these individuals with Down syndrome a little brighter."

The Buddy Walk of the Mid-South will be held on Oct. 2 at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Onsite registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the opening ceremonies commencing at 1:30 p.m. The walk will kick off at 2 p.m.

For more information about the Buddy Walk or Down syndrome, contact the Down Syndrome Association at 541-5155 or e-mail dsaminfo@yahoo.com. Register online for the Buddy Walk at dsamemphis.org .

(C) 2005 The Commercial Appeal Memphis, TN. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved

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