National Buddy Walk in the Wiregrass

The National Buddy Walk was held October 13 in Dothan, Alabama, to help celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness month.

Participants from all over the Wiregrass showed their support by participating in the walk; the participants walked around the National Peanut Festival Fairground with their Buddy Walk team.

Maddy Sue Graf, Walker Clark, and Freddy Holmes were supported by the Enterprise Community.

The Chautauqua Girls Club held a fundraiser at Get Fit Enterprise to support these awesome kids and their families. The kids were able to attend the fundraiser and meet lots of supporters who came in to donate. In total Chautauqua raised a total of $1,234 for the National Buddy Walk.

“Maddy Sue loves others and lives her life to the fullest. She loves to share laughter and hugs, and she enjoys dancing, swimming, soccer, and gymnastics. Although she may face different challenges, Maddy works eagerly and gives extra in everything that she does,” Amy Graf said.

The Buddy Walk was first founded in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society, and the first Buddy Walk in the Wiregrass area was in 2008.

Those who participate in the Wiregrass area Buddy Walk help the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. organization, Families Reaching, Influencing, Education, and Networking for Down Syndrome.

The National Buddy Walk is a great way to help raise awareness for Down Syndrome and support the participants.