ABOUT THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF NIAGARA
Advocate, Celebrate, Inspire
The Down Syndrome Association of Niagara is a 501c3 tax-exempt public charity and the only Affiliate Organization of The National Down Syndrome Society operating in Niagara County. We are a small group of parents and concerned family members that joined together in 1997 for the sole purpose of helping better the lives of our children and others born with Down syndrome in the Buffalo-Niagara locale.
WE ARE AN AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION OF:
THE NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
National Leaders in Scientific Research & Resources
We, the Down Syndrome Association of Niagara, are an affiliate organization of The National Down Syndrome Society and Advocate for the Value, Acceptance and Inclusion of people born with Down Syndrome.
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BUDDY WALK 2023
The Down Syndrome Association of Niagara held its 25th Annual Buddy Walk on Saturday, September 9, 2023, in the 65th Lewiston Peach Festival Parade. It was great visiting with friends and family as we joined together to raise positive awareness about individuals born with Down Syndrome. We are grateful to all those who participated and our longtime business supporters, Dimino Tops Market, Favorites Pizzeria, Hibbard’s Frozen Custard, Niagara Shuttle and the Lewiston Kiwanis.
Thank you!
BUDDY WALK
Touching Hearts, Opening Minds, Changing Lives Together
The Buddy Walk of Buffalo Niagara was started in 1997 in Lewiston, New York as a kickoff of the National campaign to raise positive awareness about Down syndrome at every local level. What started out with the love and passion of 3 local parents has grown to a network representing over 400 families in the WNY region and part of a national program reaching nearly 500,000 individuals.
We continue today in our mission to support the value, acceptance, and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome.
Through our collaborative and community wide efforts, it is our primary objective that each person be afforded an opportunity that will help them maximize their potential, realize their life aspirations, and lead a meaningful life as a valued member of their community.
BUFFALO NIAGARA BUDDY WALK
Buddy Walk 2023
Please join the Down Syndrome Association of Niagara on Saturday, September 9, 2023 for the 25th Annual Buffalo Niagara Buddy Walk in the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival Parade.
No advance registration. Registration on-site 9am-10:30am. $10 per person. Cash, checks and PayPal accepted. Lime green Buddy Walk T-shirts will be worn.No shirts will be sold. Next year we have to change to the official NDSA shirts. Wear lime green shirts if you don’t have an old Buddy Walk shirt.
Free ride tickets for all walkers under the age of 18. There will be a pizza party after.
Register and assemble in front of the Red Brick School, N. 4th and Ridge St., Lewiston. Discover Niagara Shuttle available to transport those unable to walk the route.
Come join us in celebrating the lives of our children and raise positive awareness of the unique talents of individuals with Down Syndrome! Thank you in advance for your support.
Please e-mail Deborah Fleck @ downriverdebs@gmail.com or familyandfriendsdownsyndromeassociationofniagara.comwith any questions.
Deborah L Fleck
DOWN RIVER RUN, WALK AND ROLL 2023
The Family and Friends Down Syndrome Association of Niagara, Inc. had a very successful Down River 5KRun and 1.5 Mile Walk and Roll on June 3, 2023.
Thank you to all our participants, sponsors and volunteers. We simply could not have done this without your invaluable support.
Congratulations to Zach McPherson, 5K Top Male Overall and Colleen Carroll 5K Top Female Overall!
MISSION/VISION
Our mission is to help benefit people with Down Syndrome and their families through our advocacy efforts and raising positive awareness. We are committed to being part of a collaborative and community-wide effort to enhance the quality of life outcomes of people with Down Syndrome. Our primary objective is that each person be afforded opportunities that will help maximize their potential, realize their life aspirations, and lead a life of purpose and meaning.
Our vision is to embody our mission by raising positive community awareness about people with Down syndrome and promoting their value and meaningful inclusion in all aspects of community life. We are striving for all children born with Down syndrome to be viewed as able-bodied people and be afforded every opportunity possible to learn to lead healthy, meaningful and productive lives as contributing adults in society.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We will do anything within our power and means to respectfully and within reason advocate for the betterment of all families and their family members born with Down Syndrome. Our main focus is to raise positive awareness about Down syndrome and promote the abilities people with Down syndrome have to offer society. We started in 1996 with three mothers working together to raise positive awareness about Down syndrome and promote the inclusion of their children in the local school system. We are the only Niagara County licensed Affiliate organization of The National Down Syndrome Society. We uphold the national campaign message promoting the value and inclusion of all persons living with DS in THE BUDDY WALK OF BUFFALO NIAGARA, held annually in The Lewiston Peach Festival Parade. We have also held various social events for families to celebrate the lives of their children in the TURN IT UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME CONCERT IN THE PARK. Lastly, we have our annual DOWN RIVER RUN 5K race fundraiser. We are a parent-child support group and often the first responders for new and expectant parents with a voice of experience and hope. We collaborate with local libraries, hospitals, schools, and service providers to provide up-to-date resources and information on Down syndrome.
WHY DO WE FUNDRAISE?
Miles of Care Initiative: We actively help parents/family/caregivers with the transportation costs incurred by travelling out of NYS for life-saving medical treatments and/or surgery not provided in WNY for their loved one with Down syndrome. There is currently a shortage of facilities offering pediatric angiography, let alone cardiac surgery, in the WNY area. This forces most families to seek out medical centers in Boston or Philadelphia for their child's corrective life-saving surgery. Many, to most children, require multiple surgeries and frequent follow-ups. We believe families that 'stay together, heal together,' and our Kings and Queens of Hearts are testimony to this. Your contribution will help save a child's life!
Other Initiative: We are working towards giving people living with Down Syndrome the opportunity to engage in employment through operating a cafe.
MEET THE BOARD
Deborah L Fleck
President Of Down Syndrome Association of Niagara
Christine Vescio-Sirianni
Founder & Vice-President of Down Syndrome Association of Niagara
Bobbie Meridith
Secretary
Anne Farley-Kaphingst
Treasurer
CONTACT US
DSAN always has our doors open. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions requesting our services, educational resources or general support.
PO Box 159, Lewiston, NY, 14092
