THE BUDDY WALK

Friends and Family,

For the first time Lucy will be leading a team of walkers around Crew Stadium for her first Buddy Walk! The Buddy Walk is basically a way to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for the organization (The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio) that has helped our family so much over these past three years. They helped send our family to the National Convention a few weeks ago, they have provided a support group for our family, they provide a play group for Lucy, and they have tons of other stuff they we haven’t even tapped into yet. Without them we don’t know where we would be right now.

We believe in DSACO and all the good they do in Central Ohio. For that reason our whole family will be walking with Lucy on September 28th and we would like to ask you to join with us. If you would like to help you have several options: You can just donate on line to support her team. You can sign up to walk with her ($15 for an individual and that comes with a t-shirt, $25 for a family and that comes with two t-shirts with each additional shirt costing $10). Or you can sign up to” walk” with her so you can get a t-shirt even though you can’t make it out for the actual walk around Crew Stadium. No matter what, you can give as much money as you want for Lucy’s Team which is called “We Love Lucy.” You can also raise money yourself for her team, contact us for more information on how to do that.

If we get 24 people to sign up to walk with us we will get customized shirts with our team name on the back. To get one of those shirts you must be signed up by September 8th. Everything can be done using credit cards at Lucy’s team page: http://www.dsaco.net/bwt.php?id=563&u=3987 Or see the information below about where you can send a check if you want.

A quick update on Lucy: Lucy has been doing great lately! Her arthritis is under control and she even started running! She has been working with a tutor who specializes in kids with Down syndrome and Lucy can now recognize the whole alphabet, can sight read twenty to thirty words, knows all of her colors, and is learning to count. She is almost potty trained! She starts pre-school this September and Mommy and Daddy are very nervous about that. She loves to torment her younger brother Simon and is looking forward to welcoming in little brother #2 sometime this November!

We were scared to death three years ago when we found out Lucy had Down Syndrome. We were scared for her and scared for us. We didn’t know what her extra chromosome would mean for our lives. We still don’t have all the answers we want, but we now know that Lucy is one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to us and we wouldn’t trade her for the world! Thank you all for your friendship, love, and support you have given us on this journey!

Grace and Peace,
Kevin and Mandy Peterson

P.S. If you have any questions you can email (peterkevinson@yahoo.com) or call me (740-392-3197)

Below is some more info that was copied from the Buddy Walk page at dsaco.net

The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) will host its 7th Annual Buddy Walk on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at Crew StadiumWhat is the Buddy Walk?The Buddy Walk is an event where we celebrate and support people with Down syndrome. We use this event to gain support for our organization. Individuals with Down syndrome, families and friends walk a one-mile course beginning at 10:00 a.m. and then enjoy fun at Crew Stadium. This includes music with Arnett Howard, superheroes, face painters, balloon artists and clowns. This year, we anticipate the Buddy Walk to attract over 3500 participants from across Central Ohio and hope to reach our fundraising goal of $200,000. More importantly, we hope that all participants will help to spread the message that individuals with Down syndrome possess a wide range of abilities and are active participants in the community.Where is the Buddy Walk?This year's Buddy Walk will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio ( view map ).HistoryThe Buddy Walk was established by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995 to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for education, research and advocacy programs. In 2006 alone, the Buddy Walk raised more than $5.5 million nationwide. This year over 250,000 people are expected to participate in more than 260 walks across the country. It is the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome. NDSS would also like to congratulate and recognize the Columbus Buddy Walk for their great success last year. To show their appreciation, Joe Bockerstette, Chair of the NDSS Board of Directors, will be attending the Columbus Buddy Walk in 2008! NDSS is representing ten (10) Buddy Walks this year and because of our generous contribution made in 2007 ours is one of them. In addition, a picture of the Columbus Buddy Walk will be included in the 2008 Times Square Video. RegistrationYou can pre-register online with a credit card by clicking on one of the links on the left or complete a registration form and mail it to the office. Our office address is:Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio2879 Johnstown Rd.Columbus, OH 43219Walk day registration starts at 9:00 AM ET. There will be separate areas for walk day and team registration. Each participant, family or team will need to check-in in order to receive the Buddy Walk t-shirt. If you are pre-registered on a team, your team captain has your t-shirt.TeamsOne of the ways you can help build excitement for the Buddy Walk is by creating a team that raises money for a specific "Buddy", an individual with Down syndrome. Buddy Walk teams can consist of family, friends, students and/or colleagues. Teams with 24 or more individuals walking on behalf of a buddy receive customized t-shirts with your team name. You can show your team spirit at the Buddy Walk by creating your own pins or buttons and proudly carrying banners and/or signs with your team name and picture of your buddy.To join a team, click on the "Register to Walk now" link on the left and select a team from the list or search for a team by entering all or part of the team's name in the "Find or Create a Team/Buddy" area on the left. If you want to start a team, click on the "Create a New Team" link on the left. Note: If you have already registered as an individual participant or family and want to now start or join a team, you need to send an email to office@dsaco.net to let us know which team you wish to join or form.The Buddy WalkOn September 28, from 9:00 AM ET until 1:00 PM ET, local celebrities, Andrea Cambern, Gabe Spiegel, and Dino Tripodis, from Sunny 95 Radio, will host activities. At 10:00 Am ET, the walk will start with Arnett Howard leading the walkers with a heart warming trumpet call. The walk around Crew Stadium begins and ends where post walk activities include a live band, raffle, face painting and many more activities.DSACO Buddy Walk Night with The Crew: Sunday, October 26th at 5:00 pm ET The Crew will be offering special to all Buddy Walk participants, family and friends with a portion of the proceeds being donated back to DSACO! The kids will be able to interact with the Crew players and be part of the players' tunnel on the field! You can purchase these special discounted tickets for $10.00 by contacting the office.What you can do to helpPlease register for the Walk and join in the celebration. You can help us promote the Buddy Walk by distributing posters and brochures, obtaining pledges or starting a team. We always need volunteers, please contact the office if you would like to help. If you would like to become a sponsor, view our sponsor page. For more information, call the DSACO office at 614-342-5757 or email office@dsaco.net.Online registration is Open. Use the "Find or Create a Team/Buddy" to join a team either to attend the walk with or direct a donation.