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Members Comment Place
We want to take the time to thank each and every person that has visited the web site and we sincerely
hope to see many of you at our walk on October 27,2007 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds from 11 am until 4 pm.
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Buddy Walk draws celebrants statewide
By ARMANDO RIOS
Bulletin Staff Writer |
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A total of 118 registered for this year's
Buddy Walk from all over the state, the second time it has been held here in Baxter County. The Buddy Walk was held Saturday
afternoon at the Baxter County Fairgrounds. The goal of the national Buddy Walk program is to promote understanding and acceptance of
people with Down syndrome, but local organizers are including people with any type of handicap. In addition to games and prizes,
there was food and entertainment available for the crowd, which included people from Yellville, Conway and south Arkansas.
Bobby Powers performed for the crowd, and Scotty Cox walked around and told jokes and funny stories as Yo Yo the Clown. Special
guest Michelle Grisham also provided entertainment. Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in one in every 800 to
1,000 live births, Foster said Saturday afternoon. It is the leading cause of mental retardation in the world and is not related
to race, nationality, religion or socio-economic status. Many people with Down syndrome have other problems as well, such
as heart defects, vision and hearing problems and respiratory problems. The North Central Arkansas Buddy Walk is one of only
two in the state, Foster said. She was in Eureka Springs one time when they held a Buddy Walk, and she decided to organize
one locally. Last year's walk was led by the Girl Scouts, and this year's was led by Pack 246 Cotter Boy Scouts. "We had pick
up the ducks, basketball hoops, hula-hoops, fun and games and a lot of music," Foster said. "We had the walk, tables were
set up with giveaway prizes and information booths, as well as food. Buddy Walk is held to raise awareness of Down syndrome."
This year, Buddy Walks are being held in 49 states, Canada and the Philippines. "Our main goal was to pay for putting it on
and getting the word out," Foster said. She labeled Saturday's event a success, since those attending had a good time. Next
year they hope to hold it in October, which is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. |
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