Buddy Walk held on Daniel Island

The Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry recently held the fourth annual Lowcountry Buddy Walk at Etiwan Park on Daniel Island.

The Buddy Walk was developed to promote inclusion, awareness and acceptance for all individuals with Down syndrome and to raise funds for continued educational training for the children and educators of the tri-county area. The association partnered with Knights of Columbus Council 6250 of James Island for the third year in a row. The Knights of Columbus donated and served more than 1,000 hot dogs and held the annual hot dog eating contest.

This year, more than 3,000 people participated in the Buddy Walk, making it one of the largest in the nation. Many different organizations and groups were represented at the Buddy Walk this year, including more than 100 Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina.

Each Girl Scout earned a patch for attending the walk. The patch was developed locally by Melissa Pridemore, who is a troop leader and the mother of Ashlyn, a Girl Scout with Down syndrome. Also participating were many school groups of students and teachers.

More than 60 students and faculty members from Pinckney Elementary formed the group "Frankie's Army" and participated in the Buddy Walk in support of classmate Frankie Antonelli. The students raised more than $2,400 for the association.

This year, Bishop England High School began a curriculum of inclusion for students with disabilities, and 300 students and faculty members participated in the walk in support of Sam Hazeltine. One of the most important groups at the Buddy Walk was the DSAL Youth Advocacy Group made up of young people with Down syndrome who speak out in the community for people with disabilities.

Beyond the groups in attendance, there were many friends, families and residents of the Lowcountry who came out to raise awareness of Down syndrome and enjoy the many free activities at the event, such as jump castles, face-painting, music, snow cones and the hot dog-eating contest.

Visit www.DSALowcountry.org.