Buddy Walk 2011 ~ Team Aidan

I am so behind in letting people know about the Buddy Walk this year! Partly it's because Scotte and I have decided to do things a little differently. We have been amazed at the support we have received over the years, but in these tough times we feel badly asking our friends and family to donate every single year. It cost our little family over $100 to register for the Buddy Walk this year; we think that's a lot and Aidan is ours!!! So, after much discussion, we have changed our game plan a little bit. We have decided to go all out for the Buddy Walk every other year and have our big tailgate and hound our friends and family to join us. So, this year we have registered our team and we are walking as a family, but we won't be making it a huge event. Next year we will be back in the game, and then the following year we will take it easy again.

That said, we welcome anyone who wants to participate to join us and register to walk with Team Aidan. We will be walking together and then letting the kids participate in all the activities and stopping by to chat with some of the friends in our Down syndrome community. Anyone is more than welcome to join us on September 18 at Crew Stadium as we celebrate Aidan this year, but we won't be having a tent or tons of food. I am late, and registration needs to be completed by the end of Sept 4 to guarantee you will have a shirt! (View event day information here)

I know that Scotte and I make charitable contributions every year, and I'm sure many of you do, as well. If you are still looking to make donations this year, we think making a donation to Team Aidan would be a very worthy cause!! Your donation helps fund the following things:

• $100 will fund two New Parent Packets for parents who have a newly-diagnosed baby with Down syndrome.
• $200 will fund a full recreational scholarship to enable a person with Down syndrome to participate in health and fitness activities to improve their quality of life.
• $250 will enable a self-advocate to attend our Adult Mini-Conference.
• $300 will fund a workshop for parents on a topic such as IEPs or potty training.
• $500 will fund materials, babysitting and refreshments for a DSACO support group for one year.
• $1,000 will fund a presentation to health care providers on diagnosis delivery through our Changing Lives program.

We would also love for you to consider donating to another Down syndrome organization that has become very near and dear to our hearts: Buddy Up Tennis!! Nearly every Saturday morning you can find Aidan on the tennis court with his tennis buddy having a fabulous time, and learning tons of skills to boot. They work not only on tennis skills, but Buddy Up tennis has pretty much replaced physical therapy for Aidan as they work on many types of fitness activities. He is learning a life skill and having a great time doing it. This program is equally important in enriching the lives of all the young men and women who volunteer their time every weekend to work with so many of our friends in the Down syndrome community.

Buddy Up Tennis is completely run and funded by volunteer and charitable contributions, and your donation is tax deductible. Just $50 sponsors an athlete for an entire month, and any donation is welcome. Please check out their website!!

Donate to Buddy Up Tennis

As always, thank you for supporting Aidan!!