National Buddy Walk this Sunday, Sept. 24, at US Capitol

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd pass along the latest information on the National Buddy Walk at

the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., which is this Sunday,

September 24th.

The checkin/registration begins at 12:00 noon.

At 12:45 the Buddy Walk will begin with special recognition of several

high-profile leaders in the efforts of the National Down Syndrome Society,

including Congressional representatives.

The actual walk starts at 1:00 p.m. with actor Burke leading the

participants on a one-mile walk around the Capitol Building (there are

shortcuts for those who prefer a shorter walk).

Entertainment begins at 1:30 p.m. and will be provided by Burke and his

Band and Country music star Rose and PerformAbilities.

I think that you have to register onsite since the Buddy Walk is this Sunday.

Getting a t-shirt should not be a problem. They ordered 1500 t-shirts and

you will get a t-shirt when you register for as long as they last. (We only

ordered 1,000 shirts for the last two years, so there should be plenty!)

The brochure said that you had to raise/donate $10.00 for each t-shirt, but

that is NOT how it will happen. When you register and pay the registration

fee, you will be given t-shirts!

The registration fee this year is $10 per adult and $5 per child (under 16),

with a maximum of $25 per family (two adults and their children). This fee

includes a tee-shirt for each person. Self-advocates (any person with any

disability, not just Down syndrome) receive a free tee-shirt, no registration

fee is required. Anyone volunteering to help with the Buddy Walk will also

receive a free tee shirt.

I would recommend that you print out the registration from and fill it out

before you go down to the Capitol. That will save you some time waiting in

line. Registration and pledge forms are posted on the NDSS website at

www.NDSS.org. (Keep in mind that the times on the website are NOT the

correct times - they're working on getting that corrected.)

The rain location is U.S. Capitol Building, room # HC5 (NOT the Cannon

Building as the brochure states).

Below is a list of the many volunteer opportunities still available. If you

or someone you know can help out, please contact Eleanor Voldish at

elvoldish@.... Organizing a Group or team from your community, school,

church, workplace, etc., is a great way to get people involved. Remember -

Volunteers receive a free t-shirt!

Volunteers are needed to help with the following:

* Site setup

We need people who can help on the morning of the event (Sept. 24th.)

with setting up tables, stuffing goodie bags, etc.

Time: 9 a.m. - meet on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol (side

facing the Washington Monument)

* Registration, Food, Prizes

Volunteers are needed to man tables. This involves checking in

registered walkers, registering new walkers, and distributing tee-shirts,

goodie bags, snacks and drinks.

Time: Registration Tables - 11:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m.

Food & Goodie Bags - 1:00 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.

* Entertainment

We need clowns, face painters, jugglers, etc., to mingle with the

crowd and entertain the children throughout the event. This is a great way

for a group or team to get involved, and a lot of fun, too! Individual

entertainers are also welcome.

Time: 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.

* Publicity

Photographers are needed to help capture the fun!

Time: 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.

*Clean-up

Help with packing up materials, supplies, etc. Make sure all trash is

placed in receptacles provided.

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

*Transportation

Volunteers with vans or trucks are needed to help transport boxes of

supplies to the Capitol on the morning of the event.

Time: arrive at Capitol no later than 9 a.m.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Eleanor Voldish as soon

as possible - elvoldish@....

Hope to see you on the 24th.,

Eleanor Voldish