Arizona's 12th Annual Walk for Down Syndrome Scheduled for Sat., Sept. 10, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tempe, Arizona, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) August 10, 2011 -- TEMPE, Ariz. – Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona will host its 12th annual Walk for Down Syndrome on Sat., Sept. 10 at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Formerly known as the Buddy Walk, the Walk for Down Syndrome is the primary fundraiser for the non-profit group, with funds raised to provide parental support programs at no cost to families of children with Down Syndrome.

The Walk for Down Syndrome is for anyone wanting to show their support and to celebrate those who have Down Syndrome. Most importantly, the Walk for Down Syndrome is to promote positive acceptance and awareness.

Gina Johnson, founder of Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona, believes the assistance that Sharing Down Syndrome provides is critical to new parents of children with the syndrome. After a child is born with Down syndrome, a lot of parents fall apart feeling overwhelmed and frightened, she said. There are a few who even refuse to see their new baby, and choose to place their baby for up for adoption.

With the funds raised by Walk for Down Syndrome, the largest fund raiser for Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona, the non-profit group can offer family support to parents of children with Down Syndrome by providing monthly educational meetings, in English and Spanish, hosting new parent gatherings, and personally delivering new parent support packages.

Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona is able to provide further community support by giving birthing hospitals in Arizona folders containing important information regarding Down Syndrome and the organization for social workers to give to newly diagnosed parents. It is the group’s goal to bring awareness to the medical community regarding the importance of properly delivering the diagnosis in a positive manner to the parents.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona does not receive any funding other than the generous donations given by partners and sponsors. Every year, residents and businesses are asked to donate to the cause. More than 90 cents of every dollar donated goes to the group’s parental support programs and services offered. All donations are tax deductible.

This all ages event is for individuals of all abilities, and will begin with a light continental breakfast followed by a short walk around the Tempe Diablo baseball field, located at 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, Ariz. 85282.

Onsite registration opens at 7:30 a.m., with the walk and other family activities starting at 9:00 and continuing through 11:30 a.m.

Post-walk activities will include fun and games with bouncers, rock wall climbing, carnival games, and dancing to the music of DJ Ron. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob. Exhibitor booths will also have various activities, resources, and information regarding services available in the community.

In addition to the walk, the Outstanding Citizen with Down Syndrome and Outstanding Community Service Awards will be given during at the event.

Nominations are being currently accepted, and each recipient will receive a plaque and public recognition. Nominations must be received by noon on Friday, August 26, 2011 along with a photo of the nominee (4x6 landscape).
Nominations will not be accepted after that date and time.

Email, Fax, or mail in nominations to:
Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona
745 N. Gilbert Rd. #124 PMB 273
Gilbert, AZ 85234

Fax: 480-926-6145
Email: Kaygb1952@yahoo.com with “Nomination” in subject line.
For more information contact Rachel Hanzuk at Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona at (480) 926-6500.

The 12th Annual Walk for Down Syndrome will be held at the Tempe Diablo Stadium, located at 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe AZ 85282. To sponsor Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona’s 12th Annual Buddy Walk, go to www.sharingds.org/Home/Fundraising.

For further information, call (480) 926-6500, fax
(480) 926-6145, or mail
Sharing Down Syndrome AZ
745 N. Gilbert Rd., #124 PMB 273

Gilbert, Arizona 85234


About Sharing Down Syndrome:
Sharing Down Syndrome was founded by Gina Johnson more than 17 years ago to provide emotional support for families of children with Down syndrome after her experience as a new parent of a baby with Down Syndrome.

It currently provides services to more than 2,000 families throughout Arizona by providing new parent dinners, parent support groups, new parent gift baskets, play groups, educational meetings, and support for educational advocacy, and to help parents of older children through the DDD eligibility process.

Sharing Down Syndrome is affiliated with the National Down Syndrome Society (www.ndss.org) and the National Down Syndrome Congress (www.ndsccenter.org). For more information go to http://www.sharingds.org.

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