Why You Should Come to the FRIENDS Buddy Walk® 💙💛

The FRIENDS Buddy Walk® isn’t just an event—it’s a celebration of love, inclusion, and community. Whether you’ve joined us before or this is your first time, the 25th Annual Buddy Walk® is one you won’t want to miss!

Here’s why:

Celebrate a Milestone: 25 years of walking together for acceptance, awareness, and inclusion—it’s a momentous occasion, and we want YOU to be a part of it!

👟 Walk with Purpose: Every step supports individuals with Down syndrome and their families, raising awareness and vital funds to empower and uplift our FRIENDS community.

🫶 Form a Team & Fundraise: Participants are encouraged to create teams in honor of their loved one with Down syndrome and help raise funds to support FRIENDS programming all year long—from social events and educational resources to advocacy initiatives. Our 2025 goal is $40,000, and with your help, we’d love to surpass it!

🎉 Unforgettable Fun: From music and dancing to games, food, and inspiring stories, there’s something for everyone—kids, families, friends, and supporters of all ages.

🌟 Meet Our Grand Marshal: David DeSanctis—actor, advocate, and all-around inspiration—will be joining us to lead the walk and share his incredible story.

💬 Bonus Night of Connection: Don’t forget to join us Friday night for Dinner & Chat with David at The Gallery. It’s a special evening to connect, reflect, and get excited for Saturday’s celebration!

📚 Be Part of a National Movement: The Buddy Walk®, established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society, promotes awareness and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. To learn more about its history, development, and current impact, visit the National Down Syndrome Society website.

Come walk with us, laugh with us, and lift up voices that deserve to be heard. Let’s make this 25th anniversary the most impactful yet—because when we walk together, we grow stronger together. 💙💛

We thank the following GOLD sponsors for their generous support of our Buddy Walk®.

Hoilman Construction Company
Collins Shipley, PLLC
Michael Walker Realty & Auction
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

We thank the following SILVER sponsors for their generous support of our Buddy Walk®.

We thank the following people for donating their time in support of our Buddy Walk®.

Natural Sunshine Photography
Fun For All
Fun For All

Address

P.O. Box 5677
Johnson City, TN 37602

Email

admin@dsfriends.net

Phone

865-898-7828

Get Connected

“Our charity begins at home, and mostly ends where it begins.”
― Horace Smith