The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society is a family support group to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through local leadership, outreach, education and advocacy to champion and celebrate acceptance and inclusion.

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with different abilities have the opportunity to create their own path in order to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.

About LDSS

Our family support group is for anyone touched by Down syndrome in the greater Savannah/ Lowcountry area. Created in 2006, the LDSS reaches families in the eight surrounding counties. Meetings every fourth Tuesday of the month typically feature a guest speaker as well as social time for families to interact with one another. We encourage people to bring their children. The LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society.

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Buddy Walk

We had our first Buddy Walk at Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah in October 2006. It was wonderfully successful, with nearly 1,600 people supporting Down syndrome awareness. For the last few years, over 5,000 people have regularly attend our annual walks. Our thirteenth Buddy Walk will be October 6th of 2018. Register now!

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Night of Champions

LDSS hosts an annual Night of Champions in May. This community event recognizes area businesses that employ differently abled adults, including those with Down syndrome, and celebrates the contributions made by these employees. For more information, please visit http://nightofchampions.org/

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Camp Buddy

Camp Buddy provides physical, occupational and speech therapies for children with Down syndrome. The Camp promotes the retention of the educational accomplishments that children have made during the school year by bridging the summer months to the upcoming school year.

Photo credit: Kathryn Hope Photography

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Mission

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society is a family support group to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through local leadership, outreach, education and advocacy to champion and celebrate acceptance and inclusion.

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with different abilities have the opportunity to create their own path in order to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.

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Buddy Walk – October 2018

Join the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society for the 2018 Buddy Walk on October 6th, 2018. The Buddy Walk is a one mile fundraising event around historic Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the event, which raises awareness and funds for local programs, including Camp Buddy, that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. Last year’s LDSS Buddy Walk welcomed over 5,000 participants.

The Buddy Walk Program welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. Bring your carriage, strollers, wheelchairs, little red wagons and pets. Don’t leave anyone behind as we stroll around Forsyth Park. The goals are to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to positively influence local and national policy and practice. Last year alone, Buddy Walk events nationally raised more that $11.2 million to benefit education, research, and advocacy initiatives, as well as the Night of Champions, Camp Buddy and many other services right here in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire.

The walk begins at 10:00 am. The Family Fun Festival begins immediately following the walk. The Festival will feature all kinds of activities—such as face painting, pumpkin painting, the BOO Boutique, bouncy houses, games, music and refreshments—and lasts until 2 pm. The LDSS Buddy Walk is one of more than 300 Buddy Walks taking place across the country this October to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Registration

Visit our online registration page to sign up and make your donation on your credit card, securely using Paypal. Online registration closes Thursday at noon.

As an alternative to registering online, you may sign up starting at 8:30 AM day of the event, or you can download and print the Buddy Walk Registration Form (and the Donation Collection Form for non-walkers).

Registration is $15.00 per person or $50.00 for a family of four. Registration includes this years limited edition T-shirt, lunch and admission to the festival.

Booth Setup

We would like to invite your organization to set up a booth at the Buddy Walk. LDSS will provide a table and chairs, as well as power if necessary. Booth spaces are $20.00 (fee waived for nonprofits). Booths will set up between 8:00 AM and 9:45 AM. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the walk since booths do not open until 11:00 AM. Booths will remain open for the entire festival from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Per city policy, booths are not allowed to sell anything or take money. We will be glad to answer any questions about this policy.

To participate, complete the Booth Participation Form and return to LDSS by fax: 912-728-5247 or email. Booth Fees may be paid via check to LDSS or via PayPal. Please note how your organization will pay on the Booth Participation Form.

For more information, email buddywalk@ldssga.org or call Candy Bogardus at 912-728-8505. We look forward to working with you.

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