FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - People from the county and beyond took a walk Sunday at North Schuylkill's Ghosh Orthodontics Field at Spartan Stadium for the fourth annual Buddy Walk to benefit Down syndrome awareness.
Held from 1 to 4 p.m., the Schuyl-kill County Buddy Walk is co-sponsored by the Faith and Friends Walking Hand in Hand Committee and the Northern Schuylkill Jaycees. While the walk began three years ago in Schuylkill County, the National Down Syndrome Society created the Buddy Walk in 1995 to promoting acceptance and understanding of people with Down syndrome.
Chairwoman Bridget Schwartz, Pottsville, said when her daughter, Faith, was born with Down syndrome, she and her husband were looking for support groups in the area to get involved in and found out nothing was offered in the county. Faith turns 5 years old today.
She discovered the Buddy Walk event through the NDSS website, which led to the local walk.
According to the website, Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with it, and there are more than 400,000 people living with the condition nationwide. It occurs in people of all races and economic levels.
About a month before the first walk in 2009, Schwartz got in contact with a Northern Schuylkill Jaycees member, who said the group would like to get involved.
"As it progressed with the walks, we decided we wanted to do more for our families. So we created Faith and Friends Walking Hand in Hand, a nonprofit organization," she said.
Faith and Friends has applied for 501(c)3 nonprofit status and awaiting approval.
The first Buddy Walk was held at Pottsville Area High School and drew 250 walkers and raised $3,000. In 2010, It took place again at Pottsville Area and drew about 400 walkers, raising about $6,000.
The walk moved to North Schuylkill in 2011 and had about 500 people participating, raising about $11,000. This year's goal aimed for 600 to 700 walkers and to raise $15,000.
"It's just so great to see the families come together," Schwartz said, "I stand here and I'm looking at some of the kids that started out when they were like 1 or 2 years old and you see how they've grown. It's really nice to have that camaraderie with the families."
Among the participants was Beth and Krista Muir, Frackville. The women carried a Down syndrome awareness flag during the first lap in honor of their cousin, Tammy Keith, who had Down syndrome and passed away.
"We grew up together so we were like sisters," Beth said of her cousin. "She was just one of those people you never forget."
Beth said a different person or organization carries the flag each year. Last year, it was Special Olympics.
The Muirs weren't alone walking in honor of a loved one. Trudy Hummel, Ashland, was on a team honoring her grandson, Bill, who passed away three years ago.
"I think it's great," she said. "I don't think there's enough awareness out there about Down syndrome."
Another member of Hummel's team, Mark Holmes, Bucks County, said he was glad everyone came out and for all the local businesses sponsoring and support events like this.
"All these things help this cause," he said. "It's good to see other community-minded people besides those that are directly involved."
While the Buddy Walk is a major event for the nonprofit organization, it also holds other events for local families, including trips to Reading Phillies games, dinners and guest speakers. It also gives "Welcome Baskets" to parents of children who are born with Down syndrome. The basket contains books that are educational and inspirational, items for the baby and Down syndrome awareness items.
All money raised from Sunday's event stays in the county to support the local families.
"We're always looking for volunteers," Schwartz said. "We do a lot of events throughout the year."
For more information on upcoming events, Schwartz said to visit www.schuylkillbuddywalk.com.