TimesLeader.com

September 26
Parents of Down Syndrome (PODS) to host Buddy Walk October at AHHS

This year, Lackawanna County’s Buddy Walk hosted by PODS,Parents of Down Syndrome, will be held Sunday October 5 at the Abington Heights High School, Clarks Summit. Registration for the walk will begin at 1 p.m. Festivities at 2 p.m. Donations are accepted but not required.
The Buddy Walk consists of a one mile trek that most anyone can complete, according to local resident Steve Cannizzaro. "I promise you will be inspired and amazed by many remarkable and determined children," said Cannizzaro.

The Buddy Walk was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and has three primary goals:

         o To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down
           syndrome;
         o To raise funds locally and nationally for education,
           research and advocacy programs; and
         o To enhance the position of the Down syndrome community,
           enabling them to positively influence local and national
           policy and practice.

The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 260 in 2006 across the country and around the world. At least 250,000 people are expected to participate in more than 275 Buddy Walks this year. Since 1995, more than 1,750,000 people have participated in the Buddy Walk program. Last year alone, the Buddy Walk raised more than $6.5 million to benefit local programs and services, as well as national education, research and advocacy initiatives. Contributions locally are used to support activities such as karate classes, music therapy, swimming lessons and the creation of a new support library.

Alex Cannizzaro, 3, above, will be walking on his own for the first time with his family in the Lackawanna County Buddy Walk on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Abington Heights High School in Clarks Summit.

Photo courtesy of Steve Cannizzaro

For the complete story, see The Abington Journal in print on  Wednesday, Oct. 1.

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