May 15, 2023
Community Link Announces Buddy Walk 2023
Breese, IL- Community Link is officially announcing its 17th Annual Buddy Walk will be held on Saturday, September 16th at Northside Park in Breese, IL.
Community Link is SUPER excited to announce this year’s fundraiser theme is SUPERHEROES! The organization is looking forward to another great fundraiser to celebrate the extraordinary powers of individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, as well as their family members, friends, and supporters. All will fill the streets of Breese again early this fall for the 1-mile fun walk. The organization hopes that many in the community will walk together for another successful day.
The Buddy Walk was established by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995 to raise awareness and support programs for those with Down syndrome. Community Link is proud to have one of the larger walks in the country to support local programs while contributing 2.5% of proceeds to NDSS for national initiatives.
Each year the Buddy Walk has been held, the community has shown great support for the cause. In 2022, over 1200 registered walkers celebrated their 50th anniversary, with the collaboration of team captains, volunteers, sponsors, staff, clients, and attendees. This year, Community Link has a goal of raising $125,000 to continue to provide opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
On September 16th, the walk will kick off the festivities in the morning, with some crowd favorite activities in the early afternoon. The walk will once again feature a crafting tent sponsored by UNCOMN, sandwiches available for purchase from The Red Porch Café, other food options from local food trucks, a silent auction, the Super Buddy Dog Show, and more.
Excitement is building as plans and timeline for the event are being finalized. Community Link is looking to the community and volunteers to be actively involved in the planning, and team captains and businesses to assist in the organizations fundraising efforts.
Registration begins on June 1 at commlink.org/buddywalk. Early Bird registration is available for $15 per person through July 21, then registration will be $20. T-shirts are included with all registrations. Visit the website for additional information.
For individuals interested in becoming a team captain, who were a team captain in the past, or would just like to learn more about the walk, there will be an Ice Cream Social kick off at the main pavilion of Breese Northside Park on June 13, 2023 at 6:30pm. The event is sponsored by Dairy King, and ice cream will be provided.
Community Link offers services for all ages, from Infant Programs (like Early Head Start) to Adult Programs (like production work). On top of that, the organization owns eight CILA (community integrated living arrangement) homes where over 50 participants reside as our neighbors.
Community Link, a non-profit organization and proud United Way member agency, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities through a person-centered approach that promotes self-directed living choices and community integration opportunities. The mission of Community Link is to offer opportunities for growth and independence for people with developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit our website at www.commlink.org.