Community Link Announces Buddy Walk 2024

June 12, 2024

Community Link Announces Buddy Walk 2024

Breese, IL- Community Link is officially announcing its 18th Annual Buddy Walk will be held on Saturday, September 14th at Northside Park in Breese, IL.

Community Link is gearing up for their Buddy Walk in just a few months with an All Star theme this year.  The organization is looking forward to another great fundraiser to celebrate the talents of individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities with family members, friends, and supporters. All will fill the streets of Breese again early this fall for the 1-mile fun walk. The organization encourages everyone in the community to walk together for a successful celebration.

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.

Community Link is thankful to the community support that is shown every year for the Buddy Walk. In 2023, the organization had more than 1250 registered walkers celebrate Superheroes with developmental disabilities. With the collaboration team captains, volunteers, sponsors, staff, clients, and attendees, the 2023 event raised over $127,000.

On September 14th, the participants of the organization will kick the walk off with activities at 10am, with some crowd favorite activities in the early afternoon. The day will once again feature a craft and cookie tent sponsored by UNCOMN, fall favorite food items for purchase from The Red Porch Café, a variety of food options from local food trucks, a silent auction, the Best 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 is now open at commlink.org/buddywalk. Early Bird registration is available for $15 per person through July 5, 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 informational Team Captain Meeting on Thursday, June 20th at 6pm via zoom. To get the zoom link for this meeting, please contact Katie Newman at katien@commlink.org or call at 618-526-3929.

Community Link serves adults with developmental disabilities with their Adult Day Services and their 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 commlink.org.

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