WBZ-TV Anchor Jonathan Elias

to emcee October Buddy Walk

This fall, we are thrilled to bolster our partnership with CBS Boston and its media properties throughout the state to spread our message of empowerment and inclusion for people with Down syndrome far and wide.

For years, radio stations Mix 104.1 and AMP 103.3 - both owned by CBS - have sponsored our Buddy Walk & Family Festival, our biggest public awareness and fundraising event. This year, for our 18th annual walk in October, we are proud to expand our collaboration to include CBS Boston's television station, WBZ-TV.

At the center of our MDSC/CBS partnership is award-winning WBZ-TV anchor Jonathan Elias, who will emcee the Oct. 12 event at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield. We couldn't be more excited to have someone of Jonathan's stature and professionalism helming our Buddy Walk stage, which will feature exciting acts and inspiring stories throughout the day (see below for more on this).

This partnership came to fruition in no small part because of Jonathan's own commitment to our cause. One of Jonathan's closest friends has a child with Down syndrome.

Already, it is evident that Jonathan is not taking his MDSC assignment lightly. On an entirely volunteer basis, Jonathan has been working with our Buddy Walk Task Force Chairs to record and produce a public service announcement on the theme of "What it means to be a champion!"

You may have seen photos on our Facebook page of Jonathan taking time from his busy schedule to work on this project for us! There he is at Fenway Park recording Red Sox front office executive Charles Steinberg (photo below) and pitcher Craig Breslow. Now he's in Waltham at the Celtics training facility, camera in hand, filming former Celtic and Boston College guard Dana Barros (photo above) for the project. We've even heard that he was up until 1 a.m. personally editing the video. Amazing!

REGISTER TODAY!

Celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month With Us - Register Your Buddy Walk Team Today!

Central Mass. Buddy Walk - Uxbridge, Mass.

The 2nd Annual Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair will be held at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge, MA on Sunday, September 21st. This old-fashioned, country-fair themed walk is located in a picturesque farmland setting with family-friendly activities such as a field games, children's music and entertainment, arts and crafts, refreshments, and much more! The 1-mile walk route is nestled along a winding river.

See below to sign-up for September's Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair today.

Register here

Buddy Walk & Family Festival - Wakefield, Mass.

Our signature 18th Annual Buddy Walk & Family Festival, presented by VERIZON, will be held at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, MA on Sunday, October 12th. WBZ-TV Channel 4 is covering the walk and news anchor Jonathan Elias will be the emcee on the big day!

This year's theme, Walk for Champions!, is based on the Boston Strong mentality of people coming together to overcome challenges. Leading up to the Buddy Walk, we'll be able to highlight the true Champions of the Down syndrome movement and demonstrate how we all pull together to ensure that people with Down syndrome everywhere have opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.

We are excited to welcome Flame, a group of talented musicians from New York who happen to have disabilities, who will travel to Wakefield for the Buddy Walk as part of their 2014 Tour. Country singer Ayla Brown, popular children's musical performer Mr. Vic, and family fun activities galore will all be featured at this walk!

Register here

Our Buddy Walk Program is the largest public awareness platform in Massachusetts to promote the acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome. We hope that you will join us.

27 CHAMPIONS RUNNING FOR DOWN SYNDROME

AT FALMOUTH ROAD RACE ON SUNDAY

EACH OF OUR TEAM MDSC RUNNERS HAS AN INSPIRING STORY OF WHY THEY'RE RAISING AWARENESS AND CRITICAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT MDSC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. Read their stories here.

Twenty-seven runners are hitting the pavement day-in and day-out to train for the 7-mile Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, August 17. You can donate to their effort here. Just click "sponsor runner" and plug in their name. Or make a General Donation to support all our programs and services.

Lisa Adelman of Westminster

Danielle Athanasiadis of Lexington

Becca Canavan of Allston

Jim DeVellis of Lexington

Mary DeVellis of Lexington

Sarah DeVellis of Lexington

Allison Gandhi Newton

David Granfors of Holliston

Robyn Granfors of Holliston

Stephen Hawley of Northhampton

Evie Heffernan of Newton

Maggie Heffernan of Newton

Allison Hogan of Woburn

Josh Komyerov of Somerville

Emily LaMarca of Clinton

Melissa Leslie of Worcester

Linda Letourneau of Marston Mills

Shannon Paul of North Attleboro

Chris Petkewich of Leominster

Michael Pettinella of Grafton

Mary-Kathryn Quinn of Stow

Danny Roads of Marblehead

Tommy Roads of Marblehead

Kyle Ross of Dartmouth

Susan Stratoti of West Bridgewater

John Timmerman of Charlestown

Emily Winsor of Dorchester

JOIN US IN WISHING THEM SPEED AND HEALTH ON SUNDAY!

Support Team MDSC

Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress
781-221-0024
[email protected]
http://www.mdsc.org

For the past three decades, the MDSC has worked to ensure that all individuals in Massachusetts with Down syndrome are valued, included, and given every opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives. The MDSC offers a broad array of programs to serve people with Down syndrome and their families.