Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society Announces October 6 Grand Marshal for the Buddy Walk: Paula Deen
from The Creative Coast:
Join Savannah’s own bestselling author, restaurateur and Emmy Award-winning Food Network television star Paula Deen as she laces up her sneakers as Grand Marshal of the 2012 Buddy Walk on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Deen will be leading walk participants in the 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 4,000 participants.
Paula Deen’s son Jamie Deen, also a bestselling cookbook author and tv personality, sits on the LDSS board, and has served as Buddy Walk Grand Marshal the past two years.
“As Jamie will not be in Savannah for the Buddy Walk this year, it is my great honor to take his place as Grand Marshal,” said Paula Deen. She added, “I am excited to be part of this uplifting celebration and lend my support in promoting awareness and acceptance of folks with Down syndrome. I’m looking forward to a strong turn out of my Savannah and Lowcountry neighbors and friends at the Buddy Walk!”
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 last 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 forms for the walk are available online at www.ldssga.org or sign-up starting at 8:30 AM day of the event. Registration is $12.00 per person or $40.00 for a family of four. Registration includes this years limited edition T-Shirt, Lunch and admission to the festival. To learn more, visit www.ldssga.org or contact John or Candy Bogardus at (912) 728-8505.
About the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society: The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is a support group to benefit people with Down Syndrome and their families through local leadership in support, outreach, education and advocacy. Meetings are held every 4th Tuesday of the month, typically with a guest speaker and social time for families to meet and interact with one another. We encourage people to bring their children. We are an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society. www.ldssga.org
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