Community comes together for 17th annual Chicagoland Buddy Walk

For over 2,500 participants, it was an opportunity to walk for a good cause.

Down Syndrome Support held its 17th annual Chicagoland Buddy Walk on Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

Participants enjoyed live music, raffle, lots of activities for the kids and spending the day with special guest, Sean McElwee, a cast member for the Emmy winning A&E television show, "Born This Way" and individual with Down syndrome.

The event culminated in a 1-mile walk and raised $72,000 that will support local and national organizations advocating for and providing services to individuals with Down syndrome.

"With every year it gets better,"said Buddy Walk chairperson Jennifer Paganessi. "It's so great to see the community getting involved and seeing all the families connect with each other. In our 17th year, some of these families have watched each others children grow up together and we're always welcoming new families."

The National Buddy Walk was started in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society, as part of National Down Syndrome Awareness month, to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

DS Support is a support group for the Plainfield/southwest suburbs area.

Call (815) 262-1068 for more information about the group, or visit their website at www.dssupport.net.