NEMDSS Announces Date for its 4th Annual Buddy Walk™
Adds 5K Buddy Run to the Event
The organizers of the Northeast Mississippi Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk™ have announced their plans for the 4th Annual Buddy Walk fundraiser. The 2010 event will take place on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Saltillo City Park beginning with registration at 9 a.m. and going throughout the day. Many of the fun activities from past Buddy Walks™ will return for this year’s festival as well as a few new ones, including a 5K Buddy Run, which will begin earlier in the morning that day.
Scott Knight, co-founder and executive director of NEMDSS says that having the 5K run is an answer to local calls requesting the added event from 5K enthusiasts. "We have numerous local residents who have taken up running as a hobby and felt like they could do more to help our organization by supporting the 5K Buddy Run and encouraging their friends to participate as well," said Knight. "I have already gotten some interest from as far away as the Memphis area; so we really look forward to having a very successful Buddy Run this year."
The Buddy Run will begin at 8:30 the morning of the Buddy Walk™ and will take a course through the City of Saltillo’s downtown district before returning to Saltillo City Park. Ongoing planning for this event is underway and will include trophies for the top three places in each age group. There will be an early bird registration fee of $15 per runner for those registering before September 10th. After that date, entry fees for the 5K Buddy Run will be $20. All 5K participants will receive a free official Buddy Walk™ shirt.
Activities returning from past Buddy Walks™ include performances by the local contemporary Christian band, Thee Days Journey, several moonwalks and bouncers for the children, a huge silent auction featuring over 150 items, free food and drinks, an information alley, as well as several other surprises. The annual Buddy Walk™ has attracted as many as 1,500 participants in years past and the 2010 fundraiser should be no different.
According to Knight, the annual Buddy Walk™ is the largest fundraiser for NEMDSS, a regional Down syndrome support group that just recently acquired a non-profit 501©(3) status of its own. Sponsorships make up the majority of the proceeds along with registration fees, and proceeds that come from the silent auction. All proceeds go toward funding the programs and activities of NEMDSS, which currently serves over 60 families of people living with Down syndrome in the Northeast MS. Region. For more information about the 2010 Buddy Walk™ or for a list of sponsor levels/benefits, please the "2010 Buddy Walk Info" page.