Down Syndrome Advocates in Action is hosting the eighth annual Buddy Walk

LINCOLN, Neb. (COLLEN) – A Nebraska nonprofit held a Buddy Walk at Lincoln’s Gateway Mall to spread awareness about Down syndrome.

According to Deb Safarik, president of Down Syndrome Advocates in Action, one in 700 children is born with Down syndrome.

Saturday was the eighth annual Buddy Walk the organization has hosted. It is always held the week before March 21, which is World Down Syndrome Day. Safarik said the walk is a great event for families to get together.

“I think it’s especially different for families, so that siblings can say, ‘Because of my sibling’s syndrome, I’m going to do this really fun event,'” Safarik said.

Safarik said that this walk proves to the society that these people with Down syndrome have a lot to offer the world.

The event ran from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and featured raffles, merchandise, snacks and a place to gather with friends and family. Visitors could walk around the mall for as long as they wanted. The event raised nearly $7,000 for the organization with a goal of $10,000.

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