October 1- November 1: Pick A Day and Walk Your Way!
Online Celebration on November 1st
Register and find more information at this link: www.ds-stride.org/buddywalkbloomington
The annual Buddy Walk® in Bloomington is more than a walk, it's a family reunion. Although we are disappointed that we can’t all be together for the event this year, we are very excited about the new possibilities! Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does or just want to show your support – we invite you to join us during October for our 2020 “Walk Your Way” Buddy Walk events, as we unite for a common cause and raise funds to support Down Syndrome Family Connection.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, so what better time than this to celebrate! We invite participants to pick a day and do a walk or other event of your choice, with as few or as many other people as you feel comfortable given the current social distancing guidelines. Events can be very simple, or you can go all out… see ideas below. You can also just do online fundraising if preferred. Whatever you decide, share your plans on your fundraising page, through email and social media, and ask family, friends, neighbors and coworkers for their support; ask them to donate on your fundraising page or bring donations to your event.
If you need some ideas or assistance in deciding on a plan, view a training video at this link.
DSFC has designed a special Buddy Walk shirt for purchase if you’d like to encourage your team to wear them; you are also free to design your own event shirt (click here for more details) or invite your team to wear their favorite shirt from a past Buddy Walk.
After your event, send DSFC a short highlight video or photos to show us what you did. Then on November 1st, we’ll hold a Buddy Walk Celebration, when we’ll join together online to watch a video compilation showing the clips and photos from all the events, along with other great content and a few surprises!
We will be sharing more details, tips and how-to’s, etc. soon in emails to the address you use in registering, and also on Facebook… so be sure to watch your inbox.
Thank you for your continued support of Down Syndrome Family Connection. We look forward to the next chance when we can all get together as one and honor all of our extraordinary family members and friends with Down syndrome!
Event Ideas - all possible with social distancing:
The only limit to “Walk Your Way” is the reach of your imagination and the breadth of your compassion. Share your ideas with us! Take photos and videos and share on social media with the link to your fundraising page and the hashtag #btownbw2020.
Links to more ideas:
https://www.paperlesspost.com/blog/social-distancing-activities/
https://indywithkids.com/adult-birthday-party-ideas/
https://www.ds-connex.org/fundraising/summer-fun-draising-ideas/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2020/06/12/how-to-host-a-get-together-as-safely-and-graciously-as-possible/
Online Celebration on November 1st
Register and find more information at this link: www.ds-stride.org/buddywalkbloomington
The annual Buddy Walk® in Bloomington is more than a walk, it's a family reunion. Although we are disappointed that we can’t all be together for the event this year, we are very excited about the new possibilities! Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does or just want to show your support – we invite you to join us during October for our 2020 “Walk Your Way” Buddy Walk events, as we unite for a common cause and raise funds to support Down Syndrome Family Connection.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, so what better time than this to celebrate! We invite participants to pick a day and do a walk or other event of your choice, with as few or as many other people as you feel comfortable given the current social distancing guidelines. Events can be very simple, or you can go all out… see ideas below. You can also just do online fundraising if preferred. Whatever you decide, share your plans on your fundraising page, through email and social media, and ask family, friends, neighbors and coworkers for their support; ask them to donate on your fundraising page or bring donations to your event.
If you need some ideas or assistance in deciding on a plan, view a training video at this link.
DSFC has designed a special Buddy Walk shirt for purchase if you’d like to encourage your team to wear them; you are also free to design your own event shirt (click here for more details) or invite your team to wear their favorite shirt from a past Buddy Walk.
After your event, send DSFC a short highlight video or photos to show us what you did. Then on November 1st, we’ll hold a Buddy Walk Celebration, when we’ll join together online to watch a video compilation showing the clips and photos from all the events, along with other great content and a few surprises!
We will be sharing more details, tips and how-to’s, etc. soon in emails to the address you use in registering, and also on Facebook… so be sure to watch your inbox.
Thank you for your continued support of Down Syndrome Family Connection. We look forward to the next chance when we can all get together as one and honor all of our extraordinary family members and friends with Down syndrome!
Event Ideas - all possible with social distancing:
- Put on Buddy Walk shirts and take a walk around the neighborhood or jog in the park
- Include the family pet(s) and have a Buddy Dog Walk with other dogs and their owners
- Have a Selfie Walk - participants take pictures of themselves at checkpoints during the walkathon and post them online to verify their progress in the walk.
- Host a costume party walk, with a contest where people cast votes with dollar bills for their favorite costume.
- Plan a road rally scavenger hunt; make a list of local landmarks (or clues!) participants need to find and take a picture of, then share to a designated hashtag
- Or, how about a nature scavenger hunt, to see which group or team can find the most items on a list.
- Go for a hike or a stroll in the city
- Instead of walking, how about bicycles, wagons, scooters, boats, kayaks, canoes, or paddleboats
- Invite others to a Carryout Picnic - bring a meal from your favorite restaurant and meet up in a nice outdoor space to enjoy your meal.
- Host an outdoor movie party
- Hold a neighborhood block party, with everyone staying in their own yards
- Plan a virtual game night
- Host a tailgate party at your home
- Arrange to have a Car Parade to celebrate your loved one with Down syndrome from a distance
- Plan a virtual craft day with the kids, providing supply kits or lists of things to upcycle from around the house
- Hold a virtual bake-off with team members
- Practice self-care with a favorite hobby: yoga, gardening, knitting
- Do a 5K on the treadmill or stationary bike
- Host a virtual paint and sip party
The only limit to “Walk Your Way” is the reach of your imagination and the breadth of your compassion. Share your ideas with us! Take photos and videos and share on social media with the link to your fundraising page and the hashtag #btownbw2020.
Links to more ideas:
https://www.paperlesspost.com/blog/social-distancing-activities/
https://indywithkids.com/adult-birthday-party-ideas/
https://www.ds-connex.org/fundraising/summer-fun-draising-ideas/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2020/06/12/how-to-host-a-get-together-as-safely-and-graciously-as-possible/
If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact us!
Here's the highlight video from our 12th annual Buddy Walk last year:
Our 11th Annual Buddy Walk®
2018 was a great success!
Check out pictures from the day, taken by Capture Pandemonium:
2018 was a great success!
Check out pictures from the day, taken by Capture Pandemonium:
About the Buddy Walk®
The Buddy Walk® was established by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. It has since grown to be the world's largest and most recognizable Down syndrome awareness program with over 225 Walks taking place in 50 states and select international countries. In the past year, 300,000 walks collectively raised nearly $12 million, which is used to support local programs and services as well as national advocacy initiatives.
Hosted by:
Event Sponsor
Diamond Sponsors
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Gold & Silver Sponsors
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BUGS Bloomington United Gymnastics
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Bronze Sponsors
James Ernest Carnival Games
