This Saturday, people will have an opportunity to advocate and donate for children with Down Syndrome. 

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group will be hosting Buddy Walk at Faulkner University’s John Mark Stallings Football Field. 

The Buddy Walk celebrates National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.   L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital’s Healthy Woman Program is this year’s presenting sponsor for the event. 

“The Buddy Walk is a fun, wonderful event that brings thousands of people together to promote awareness for Down Syndrome,” said Linda Hummel, coordinator of the Healthy Woman program. 

Funds generated from L.V. Stabler Hospital’s annual “Color Me for Down Syndrome” color run were used to sponsor this year’s Buddy Walk. 

The National Buddy Walk Program was started in 1995, and has since grown to become the most widely recognized public awareness program for Down Syndrome in the world. 

Much like the Buddy Walk, the Healthy Woman 5K color run is aimed at promoting the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome in the community. 

To that end, participants in the Buddy Walk are further incentivized with a handful of prizes.  Individual walkers who raise $250 will receive a free Buddy Walk magnet, while those who raise $500 will receive an additional insulated cup.

Individual walkers who take the Buddy Walk Challenge and raise $1,000 will also receive a $50 Visa gift card.

Participants can also organize a team from the workplace, school or community to also aid in supporting those with Down Syndrome.

Registration is slated for 9 a.m. and will continue for two hours until the walk begins at 11 a.m.  Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., with an awards ceremony at noon.

For more information, contact Hummel at 334-233-9202.