This year’s annual ‘Buddy Walk of the Berkshires’ was held on September 21st at Craneville Elementary School in Dalton, Massachusetts.
For those of you who don’t know, a ‘Buddy Walk’ is an annual event held in various places all over the United States. With the main purpose of bringing awareness to Down Syndrome, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) has been putting these together since 1995. Typically they’re held in the Fall, as national Down Syndrome month is October.
The Event usually lasts around 3 hours and is mainly focused on socializing and eating provided food and beverages. In many instances there are activities and/or festivities with live music. The ‘walk’ itself isn’t very far, around one half of a mile or so. But it’s treated as a parade with the large crowd of people wearing the same shirt with the Buddy Walk logo on it being escorted by police on either side of the crowd.
In this year’s rendition, the Berkshires really showed up. The food was catered by Ozzies, Subway, and volunteer tribute. The large surplus easily kept up with popular demand, and everybody left with a full stomach. The activities in store for us included a live DJ, a raffle with many prizes, balloon animals, cornhole, and Craneville’s public playground was available. Along with that, Wahconah’s very own Volleyball team set up a net for all to enjoy, and Wahconah Best Buddies provided a popular face painting station.
It was a great time to see all the Wahconah students represented on the beautiful day that was brought to us, and we hope to see even more of you next year!
