2ND ANNUAL FDSWF DOWN SYNDROME BUDDY WALK-OCTOBER 7, 2017

Save to Favorites

2nd Annual FDSWF Buddy Walk 2017

F.R.I.E.N.D.S Down Syndrome West Florida invites you to become a sponsor and help us celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Our goal is to raise $75,000 from the Buddy Walk to support our current programs and to create and sustain new programs.Please join us October 7th, 11:00 am-3:00pm at Raymond James Stadium for a fun filled day and support a great cause!

The day will start with a "child friendly" tail gate party with music, dancing, and great food provided by Tampa’s finest food trucks. Participants will then make their way onto Buccaneers field for our Down Syndrome advocacy walk. Medals will be awarded and team pictures will be taken. The kids will love the face-painting and a fun games tent! Superhero’s, Princesses, and the fun guys from Ghostbusters will be appearing from the MUCH Foundation! The 501 st Star Wars Legion with Darth Vader will show you the ways of the Force. At the end of the event we will recognize and award prizes to the top five Buddy Walk teams.

FDSWF is a non-profit 501(c)(3). Ninety-three percent of the funds raised will go to support our education, advocacy and support programs. They include:

• FDSWF Mission is to provide all encompassing educational and support services to families who have been impacted by Down Syndrome; while promoting complete community integration. Proudly serving all of West Florida counties.
  
  Your donations help us contin ue our current programs and to develop and launch new programs. Such as:
  
  * PARENT SUPPORT: Free FRIENDS Parent Packets are distributed to St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s, South Florida Hospital, Brandon Hospital, Tampa General Hospital, Florida Hospital, Florida Hospital North, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, Mease Countryside Hospital, and All Children’s Hospital. The packets are provided in English and Spanish.
  
  FDSWF Parent Liaison program offers free FDSWF Parent Packets" with resource materials for parents receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Each packet comes with the book "Babies with Down Syndrome, A New Parents Guide". If you would like to receive a parent packet send your request to info@friendssupport.org
  
  * PARENT LIASION PROGRAM: Free Parent Liaison Program-provides Peer to Peer visits to new & expectant families, provided in English and Spanish.
  
  * EDUCATION: Free IEP Advocate training workshops, Financial & Guardianship Advocacy Workshops; Free Down Syndrome books and brochures.
  
  * SCHOLARSHIPS: Funds are provided to members to help offset the costs of recreational and educational programs. Funds are provided for families so they may attend special needs conferences.
  
  * RESOURCE GROUPS: We understand that a strong support system can make a great impact in the lives of parents raising a special needs child. We provide connection and support through our monthly Playgroups and Social Clubs.
  
  Baby Friends Playgroups for our birth-5yr olds meet monthly at We Rock the Spectrum in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties; Tweens FRIENDS meet quarterly in Hillsborough and Pinellas; FRIENDS Social Club for all special needs young adults meets quarterly in Hillsborough, and BEST FRIENDS DADS activities.
  
  * AWARENESS: FDSWF Website, Monthly Newsletters, Emails, Facebook & Twitter.
  
  * SOCIAL EVENTS: In March our World Down Syndrome Day Picnic; In July a Down Syndrome Awareness Picnic; October Buddy Walk, and in December our wonderful FDSWF Holiday & Cookie Swap Party.
  
  * COMMUNITY: Community Advocacy and information, School Education Outreach and Spanish Outreach.
  
  FRIENDS SUPPORT, INC Tax EIN# is 65-1261646. We have a DBA and we are listed with Sunbiz as FRIENDS DOWN SYNDROME WEST TAMPA.
  

We need your help to make our Buddy Walk a success. Thank you so much for your help, for more information visit our website www.friendssupport.org.