Buddy Walk 08

Just wanted to let family and friends know that Buddy Walk 2008 is almost here! We hope that everyone will be able to come out a support Carpenter this year! We had a wonderful time at Furman last year! I know we will have a great time again this year! The Furman campus is just so beautiful! Buddy Walk Registration Brochure is now available. Please remember, you must have the completed form sent in BEFORE September 1, 2008 if you would like a t-shirt! The Buddy Walk is on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 2pm!

We can't wait to see you there!Buddy Walk in Greenville Celebrates Down Syndrome Awareness Month

WHAT: The 2008 Down Syndrome Family Alliance of Greenville Buddy Walk at Furman University is one of 190 Buddy Walks planned in cities across the country this fall. The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome.
WHEN: Sunday, September 28th. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., and the one-mile walk kicks off at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Furman University at the Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center (PAC). For driving directions and a campus map, please click here.

WHO: About 200 people are expected to attend. Participants include people with Down syndrome from the Upstate area and around the state, their families, friends, teachers, coworkers and other supporters.

If you would like to register for the walk, please download the “ Buddy Walk Registration Brochure” and follow the instructions. To guarantee receipt of a t-shirt, please return your registration form by September 1st. Remember, you are welcome to register to walk up until and including the day of the event, but if you do so following the September 1st you may/may not receive a t-shirt.

BACKGROUND: Each year, the Buddy Walk touches thousands of lives. When it began in 1995, there were walks in 17 cities. This year, at least 190 Buddy Walks are scheduled from mid-September through November, with more than 200,000 people expected to participate.

Nearly 700 people attended the Down Syndrome Family Alliance of Greenville Buddy Walk last year, raising approximately $30,000 to benefit our children and families. This success is without precedent.

In 2007 Buddy Walks raised more than $1.7 million to benefit national education, research and advocacy initiatives, as well as local programs and services. All funds raised through the Buddy Walk support both local and national programs. For more information about the National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk organization, please click here.


DSFA-Greenville 2008 Buddy Walk Highlights

Participants will enjoy many exciting features unique to this year’s Buddy Walk. Some of the features planned for walk day include:

• Free Light Lunch, Ice Cream and Beverages available to all walk participants
• Free T-Shirts available to all walkers registered before/on September 1st
• Live Musical Entertainment
• Wall of Advocacy celebrating the achievements of individuals with Down syndrome
• Live Butterfly Release Ceremony to be held following the walk
• Mr. Earl Frady and the Shriner’s Clowns to entertain walkers
• Buddy Walk and Down syndrome Merchandise Table open to walk participants

Please make plans today to join in the fun on Sunday, September 28th!


How can you help?

BUDDY WALK BROCHURE: You can download our “Buddy Walk Registration Brochure” here. Make copies of this form and distribute the copies to your friends and family, coworkers and neighbors. Encourage everyone you know to attend the Buddy Walk.

Please be advised that the Family Alliance has mailed a copy of the registration brochure to everyone on our mailing list. If you would you like to be added to our mailing list, or if you already receive correspondence from us but need to update your contact information please do so as soon as possible.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Are you interested in helping to execute our Buddy Walk? If so, please e-mail us, or fill out our online volunteer application.

SPONSOR INFORMATION: Would you like to become a Buddy Walk sponsor? We are looking for in-kind donations of your product or services, or monetary donations. Please contact us if you would like to speak with someone about becoming a sponsor.

The Buddy Walk planning committee has created a series of documents to make approaching potential sponsors easier. Please review our “Letter to Potential Sponsors,” “Sponsor Information,” and “Sponsorship Levels Document.” We ask that you approach potential sponsors with this information only after you’ve first spoken with a member of the planning committee.

LETTER TO ELECTED OFFICIALS: Invite your local elected officials to our Buddy Walk. Save the "DSFA-Greenville Letter to Elected Officials" and send it to your representatives. Remember to update your personal information before you send the letter.


Thank you to all of our 2007 Buddy Walk Sponsors

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



Funds Raised to Benefit Children, Families Affected by Down Syndrome

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 and Christmas party;
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.


Buddy Walk Hall of Fame

In 2007 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 were:

First Place – Archie Moore, Raised over $8,000
Second Place – Ryan Matheson, Raised over $5,000
Third Place – Ryan Freeman, Raised over $3,500