The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups, schools and other organizations and individuals. 

The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is a wonderful, heart-warming event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join a Buddy Walk in your local community!

SVDSN uses funds raised by the Buddy Walk for new parent packets, books and media about Down syndrome, scholarships for theraputic and educational workshops, social events and parent support. SVDSN also donates 7% to the NDSS to support its national programs.

To make this year's walk a success, we need your help!

 Walk: Form your own walk team, or join a team. Show your support on the day of the walk.

Encourage: Invite everyone you know to attend the Buddy Walk! Direct people to this website (www.firstgiving.com/BABW) or your personal fundraising page and ask them to sponsor you or register to walk. Prize packages will be awarded to the top fund raisers!

Volunteer: Are you interested in helping out on the day of our Buddy Walk? Do you want to get more involved and help with the organizing? If so, please email us (info@bayareabuddywalk.com). We need lots of helping hands to make the day run smoothly.

Donate: To make this event successful and to cover its cost, it is encouraged, and deeply appreciated, to make a donation towards this event. Make your donation to http://svdsn.com/ or by clicking on DONATE on top right.

Sponsor: Would you like to become a Buddy Walk event sponsor?  Does your company support events or outreach like this? Let us know if they’d be willing to underwrite a portion of the day’s events (like lunch, the bounce house rental, t-shirts, live music, etc.)

Your donation will be processed by the Valley Medical Center Foundation (VMC Foundation, or VMCF), a 501c3 non-profit organization that serves as fiscal agent of SVDSN.  For more information on the VMC Foundation, please visit www.vmcfoundation.org.