Down Syndrome 'Buddy Walk' Raises More Than $13K04:32PM / Wednesday, November 04, 2009
DALTON, Mass. - On Saturday October 3, 2009, the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group celebrated October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month by hosting the third annual “Buddy Walk of the Berkshires” with over seven hundred walkers participating in the 1.5 mile walk in Dalton.
The walk is one of over two hundred walks across the United States that is supported by the National Down Syndrome Society. The goals of the walk were to promote awareness and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds to benefit the Down syndrome community in Berkshire County.
The event began at Craneville Elementary School and continued to Pinegrove Park, where there was a family picnic along with live music provided by the Berkshire Hills Music Academy, and children’s activities which included horse rides provided by Berkshire Icelandics.
Speakers included President Steve Narey, and Co-Treasurer Aaron Robb of the BCARC Down Syndrome Family Group. Also speaking were State Representative Denis E. Guyer and Berkshire County Arc Executive Director Ken Singer.
Response from the local community was very positive with over $13,000 raised. The funds will be used to provide children and adults with Down syndrome, as well as their families, with support in the areas of special therapies, scholarships, programming, and social opportunities. The event was sponsored by over twenty Berkshire County businesses including: Action Gaming, LLC., Bardwell Bowlby and Karam Insurance Agency, Inc., Berkshire County Arc, Berkshire Families and Individual Resources, Berkshire Icelandics, Carr Hardware, Chin Bo Jok Martial Arts Academy, Claims Services International, Classical Tents and Party Goods, Clifford Oil Company, Cord Master Engineering, Inc., Dalton CRA, Donovan and O’Connor, LLC, Freihofer’s, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Haczela Construction, John Williams, Kelly’s Package Store, LP Adams, Co., Inc., Luau Hale Restaurant,Michael Fabrizio, M.D.,P.C., Misty Moonlight Diner, Paul Dilego, Jr., CPA, PC Rotary Club of North Adams, Sheriff Carmen C. Massimiano, Jr., and The Deputies of Berkshire County, Superior Graphics, Smith Watson & Company, United Cerebral Palsy of the Berkshires, and White Wolf Septic and Portable.
The BCARC Down Syndrome Family Group currently supports 25 Berkshire County residents with Down syndrome and their families. Proceeds from the Buddy Walk will help to provide a brighter future for children, adults, families and friends of people with Down syndrome living in Berkshire County.
For additional information about the BCARC Down Syndrome Family Group or next year’s Buddy Walk of the Berkshires, please contact Jessica Dennis at (413) 499-4241 Ext. 276, e-mail: jdennis@bcarc.org or Christine Ferrari at (413) 499-4241 Ext. 265, e-mail: cferrari@bcarc.org. |
