May is Awareness Month, and we look forward to celebrating with our special community! Our members have always been creative and inspiring with the ways they spread awareness every May. This year, our official 40th anniversary year, will be filled with learning and connections – and fun!

Wondering how to get involved and help? Here are a few ideas.

Walks: Attend or host a walk! The #Walk4Williams events are a great way to connect with other families in your area, increase awareness for Williams syndrome and support the programs of the WSA! After two years of cancellations and postponements due to the pandemic, outdoor events are welcome and momentum is building!

Have you registered to attend a local walk or created your team? Here's a list of walks scheduled so far, hosted by WSA member volunteers.

Don't see one in your area? That means we are looking for a wonderful volunteer to host one: It’s too late to host a walk in May, but there is still plenty of time to gather to plan a late summer or fall fun day for families in your area! Email our walk coordinator Michele Bauer to start the process, or learn more here. Thank you to all the walk hosts who are hosting so far this year!

Social Media: Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube (great videos to share there!) and Twitter (@TheWSA) and share our posts!

We are also looking forward to sharing your posts, so please use the hashtags and make your posts public: #williamssyndrome #wsawareness #wsawarenessmonth

Often, our posts won't show in your feeds due to algorithms, so we suggest going directly to our pages to see posts and share that way.

Decorations and Apparel: Every year, our community really steps it up with creativity and special décor to celebrate awareness month, and we can't wait to see and share your efforts! From sidewalks and cakes, to classrooms, lawns and bridges, our colors and logo always look great!

You can also wear your awareness: Awareness 2022 t-shirts are provided for walk registrants, and through our online store.

All our awareness products are available here.

Become an Ambassador: Many of the adults with Williams syndrome who are in our "Adventure Seekers" program have become “WS Ambassadors" – receiving awareness items and brainstorming ways to spread awareness in their cities and towns, at their jobs, churches, day programs and more. If you are an adult with WS, please join us! Simply join the Adventure Seekers Program if you aren't already signed up, and click here to become an ambassador.

Many of our supporters host fundraisers in May and throughout the year, and these efforts are greatly appreciated. For example, one family in Michigan is hosting a bowling event Sunday for their son's walk team; a dad is fundraising through his Ironman race; and several business owners are donating proceeds of their sales during the month of May. Partner companies like John's Crazy Socks donates a portion of their awareness socks sales to us, and they are a great way to spark interest in WS when you wear them!

If you'd like to set up an online fundraiser, there are two ways to do so: Create a personal fundraising page here through the WSA's online efforts, and share with your network. Are you active on Facebook and Instagram? Fundraisers there are also a great option! To set up a Facebook fundraiser, start here. Using the donation stickers on your Instagram stories also reaches your followers. Thank you!

The WSA relies on our generous donors to support our specialized programs and scholarships and fund research. We appreciate your generosity.

This May, we look forward to sharing stories, reminiscing about the 40 years of the WSA, posting shareable facts, and continuing to grow awareness for William syndrome. If you are hosting a fundraiser, giving a presentation at a school, being awarded a proclamation, decorating your lawn, baking etc., we would love to hear about it and share your story! Contact Laurie if you'd like to share.

Thank you so much for your participation, and have a fantastic May!