Current Information provided by Down Syndrome Association of Houston | | Fundraising Tips from Other Team Captains
(if you have an idea to share, email Kristin Miller buddywalk@dsah.org)
Go to your local Chick-fil-A and ask if you can have a charity special where partial proceeds go to your Buddy Walk Team!
Go to the local businesses that you use and ask for a donation (taking your child helps!) - try your drug store, grocery store, dry-cleaning, donut/coffee shop, doctor, pediatrician, therapists, Wal-mart, Target.
Some stores may give you gift cards instead of cash, and you can use them as your own incentive prizes for who raises the most money on your team!
Buy rubber bracelets with your team name on it, and sell them for a few dollars more!
Have a Car Wash! Or a Bake Sale! Or a Garage Sale!
If someone on your team wants to have their own fundraising page, so they can send emails to their contacts, just let me know, and I will update them to FUNDRAISER!
| Details You Need to Know About Our Walk | | To celebrate our 10th Anniversary of the Houston Buddy Walk, this will be a FREE EVENT for the entire family!
It's FREE to Walk or Sign Up a Team!!
- The Houston Buddy Walk® is going to take place in Downtown Houston again, starting and ending at JONES PLAZA! Saturday, November 6th, from 1pm-5pm.
- The 1.5 mile walk goes along the trails of Buffalo Bayou, behind the Wortham Center, crossing the new pedestrian bridge, going around Sesquicentennial Park, and back to Jones Plaza.
- Register Online Now! You can start a team, join an existing team, or just walk without a team.
- All Team Captains will be receiving a Buddy Walk® Packet in the mail after you register. This will contain lots of information, so you can learn how to build your team and how to raise money for your team.
- Prizes will be awarded to:
- The Top 3 Teams that Raise the Most Money
- The Top 3 Individual Fundraisers (excluding the team captains from the top 3 Teams)
- Team with the Most Spirit
- Team with the Most Creative Theme/Costume, and
- The Best Team Banner!
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(We will NOT have a prize for the team with the most walkers this year.)
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NEW INFO: T-shirts are only guaranteed if you pick them up BEFORE the Buddy Walk (from 10/30-11/4). All remaining shirts will be sold for $5 at the Buddy Walk on a first come, first serve basis.
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After the walk, we will hold the BUDDY® BASH, where we have snacks/drinks, music performances, family activities, vendors with lots of information, and the children’s arts & crafts.
- Plan to stay after the walk - You don't want to miss the acoustic rhythms of STEP ROUTINES from local school groups!!
Visit the Buddy Walk page on www.dsah.org for FAQs, maps, forms, and lots of information to help you help us, make this the best Buddy Walk yet!
| Photos from the 2009 Houston Buddy Walk (courtesy of Jennifer Garza)
Important Dates to Remember | | 9/30: Last day to turn in your child's bio and picture - this is the Imagine the PossABILITIES (ITP) Questionnaire in your Team Packet. See dsah.org for the ITP Questionnaire.
10/6: Deadline for Sponsors to get Logo or Name added to back of T-shirts!
10/15: Last Day for Ordering Buttons, Ribbon pins, and Posters
10/30: T-shirt Pick-Up at DSAH Resource Center!! Pick up T-shirts from 10/30 through Thursday, 11/4. (You can turn in donations when picking up T-shirts) Shirts are only free if pick up your shirts before the walk. You will have to pay $5 per shirt at the Walk.
10/30: Deadline to WIN Top 3 Fundraising Teams!! And Top 3 Individual Fundraisers! Online donations count up to 11:59pm of 10/30!
11/6: 10th Annual Houston Buddy Walk - 1pm - 5pm!!! | Facts About Down Syndrome  | | Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal abnormality. One in every 800 to 1,000 babies is born with Down syndrome.
There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.
Down syndrome affects people of all ages, races and economic levels.
All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.
Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.
People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.
Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 56 today.
People with Down syndrome attend school, find work, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society.
Researchers are making great strides in identifying the genes on Chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Many feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future | Links for Our Sponsors and Local Resources
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Count Down | days, hours, mintues, | | seconds until the fun begins. |
Event Goal for 2010 Goal
$175,000
Raised
$24,224
94 Teams
1105 Walkers |  | Top 10 Individual Fundraisers Where Does the Money Go? | | The funds we raise will assist the Down Syndrome Association of Houston to maintain and expand the following programs*: (estimated costs provided)
Education for Life Program (Adult Literacy and Education) $35,000.
Conferences - This year’s conference was called “Practical Solutions for Educating Students with Down Syndrome” and we had more educators in our audience than parents! $5,000.
Festival of Friends – annual festival/picnic attended by over 3,000 members and friends. $15,000.
Medical and Educational Outreach – awareness programs. $10,000.
Monthly meetings in English and Spanish – music therapy is provided to those children between the ages of 3 and up during the meeting and lunch is provided to our membership free of charge. $8,000.
Camp Ability – summer camp for all ages at minimal cost to our members. $4,000.
Camp For All – an annual event for our families held in the spring. $8,000.
Dances for Teens/Young adults – social program - 5 Dances per year. $7,500.
World Down Syndrome Event – awareness program. $2,500.
New Baby Baskets – our Executive Director delivers our New Baby Basket (Cost $100.00 per basket) to the hospital. $2,500.
Annual Swim Party- Social Event. $3,000.
Socializing on Saturdays (SOS Program) – respite for parents/caregivers. $6,000.
Club 21 - monthly teen/adult events – social event/respite for parents/caregivers – movie nights, overnight sleepover and game nights. $6,000.
* This list only reflects a fraction of DSAH’s programs. Overhead costs are not included in the figures above. | |