Emilee Brand, enjoying lunch at the walk
The group members in attendance at the walk: (Clockwise from upper left) Clay Bartenslager (sleeping), Melissa McCargar, Chris Wemette, Christina Cisternino, Ian Kostiack, Brett Rotz, Logan McArdle, Emilee Brand, Jerimie Hutchins, Aaron Jock, Ray Latulipe
A group of walkers...the forecasted rain was holding off!
We are taking our mission and our message to the streets...literally! Similar to the NDSS's Buddy Walk, we hold an annual walk to raise awareness of Down syndrome.
The 2009 Walk, our very first walk, was a COMPLETE success!! On September 27, 2009 we had over 170 walkers come out to support us. Merrill McKee, from M-n-M Entertainment, did a great job DJ'ing for us. Nathaniel Marshall, the local American Idol contestant, sang 6 of his new songs and the crowd loved him! We also had dancers from All That Jazz Dance Studio perform for us. There were hotdogs and hamburgers, chips and sodas available for our walkers as well as ice cold bottled water. All the food and drinks were generously donated by area businesses including Glazier's, Freihofers, Mountain Mart, Jreck Subs and Donovan's Steak and Ale.
One of the most fulfilling parts of the day was when Christina Cisternino spoke to our walkers and discussed what it is like to be an adult with Down syndrome.
We gave out t-shirts with our logo on them and can see people wearing them all around Franklin County! The shirts were made by Shirt Tales, a small business owned by Dawn Barney in Brushton, NY.
Thank you to all who came out to support us this year! We hope that next year's walk will be bigger and better!
The date for the 2010 FCDSS Walk for Down Syndrome has been planned for Sunday September 12, 2010 from 1-4 at the Arsenal Green in Malone, NY. There will be free t-shirts, FCDSS merchandise for sale, food and drinks, a jumpy house, music provided by M-n-M Entertainment and Minnie Poirier...it'll be a day to remember! (Pics to follow...)
