« Back to Listing

Buddy Walk Helps Imagine the PossABILITIES
By: Special to Bartlett Appeal Special to Bartlett Appeal
Source: The Commercial Appeal Memphis, TN
11/03/2005

The eighth annual Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness brought together almost 2,800 people who helped individuals with Down syndrome take steps toward a brighter tomorrow.

The Buddy Walk, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South, was held at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

This year a new feature of the event was the Imagine the PossABILITIES tent. This tent was a showcase of individuals with Down syndrome and their talents from cheerleading and singing to artwork.

Jawanda Mast, event chairman, said a highlight of the walk was participation by Memphis City, Shelby County and DeSoto County school leadership.

Dr. Carol Johnson, superintendent of Memphis City Schools, Wanda Halbert, president of the Memphis Board of Education, Ron Lollar and Anne Edmiston of the Shelby County School Board, and Emily Adams from the DeSoto County Schools were among those in attendance.

"To our knowledge," said Jawanda, "this is the first time we have had this level of participation from the schools. Teachers have been participating in the walk since its inception, and it is important to our families for school leadership to participate in the Buddy Walk to demonstrate our support of each other in our endeavors to assist individuals with Down syndrome in living productive and meaningful lives. We were also honored to have Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald and representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. and Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton."

The Buddy Walk featured entertainment by Toasted Opus, Company D and the Memphis Elite Special Tigers with Channel 3 weatherman Todd Demers as the emcee.

Jawanda said, "We are extremely appreciative of the way our community has embraced this event which has grown from 60 people in 1997 to the 2,800 at this year's walk. Our corporate sponsorships were incredible this year."

The 2005 Walk was presented by International Paper with Radio Disney as radio sponsor. Supporting sponsors included Sedgwick CMS and FedEx. The combined support of individuals and corporations allowed the DSAM to raise over $75,000 to support year-round programs.

"In addition to the support we already provide families, one of our goals for this year's proceeds is to assist in securing office and storage space. We would like to develop a lending library for families in the Mid-South and a place where families can actually go to learn about supports and programs."

The Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South has the mission of providing a brighter future for individuals with Down syndrome. The organization works to ensure that parents in the Memphis area who have a child with Down syndrome have access to an active, vibrant, and caring organization that provides information, services, and programs to support them and meet their needs.

For information, contact the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid- South at 541-5155 or e-mail dsamninfo@yahoo.com or go to the Web site at dsamemphis.org.

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

« Back to Listing