The Buddy Walk has become the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the United States since 1995. It is also the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community. Since 1995 the Buddy Walk program has grown tremendously.

The Buddy Walk program was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.  The name Buddy Walk promotes inclusion between friends of every ability. In 1995, only 17 events took place across the country during the inaugural year.

In 1999, NDSS introduced The Times Square Video to bring attention to the Buddy Walk program and raise awareness of individuals with Down syndrome in a public setting. The Buddy Walk added a fundraising component to raise money for local and national programs and services.

In 2001, NDSS introduced a new Buddy Walk logo; the familiar blue and yellow graphic of a family holding hands which, is still the logo today. Actor John C. McGinley joined NDSS as the National Buddy Walk Spokesman and The Buddy Walk site was launched in 2002. In 2003, The Buddy Walk had more than 190 Buddy Walk events that took place in 49 states and 5 countries with over 180,000 participants raising more than $2.5 million.

BuddyWalk.org was re-launched with new tools and features for walkers and organizers in 2004. Along with that more than 210 Buddy Walk events took place with 200,000 participants raising more than $4.5 million. The Buddy Walk public service announcement, starring TV Host Nancy O’Dell, Meredith Vieira, Actor John C. McGinley, Actor, NDSS Goodwill Ambassador Chris Burke, and Actress Andrea Friendman was played nationwide at all Regal Cinemas before every movie for two weeks to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the National Buddy Walk program in 2008.

NDSS introduced a new licensing agreement that commits Buddy Walk groups to 7 percent contribution that supports the NDSS National Policy Center in Washington D.C. in 2009. The year 2012 was successful year for the Buddy Walk program. The Buddy Walk was ranked in the top 30 fundraising events nationwide for money raised, number of participants, and the best series event. That same year, The Buddy Walk program welcomed its newest national partners, the Emmy Award-winning Imagination Movers and VacationRoost. The Buddy Walk had a record breaking year in 2013 with more than 305,000 participants raising $21.1 million in more than 250 events across the country and around the world.

Meghan Boyle, Sarah O’Hara, and Meghan Prushinski volunteered at the Buddy Walk for their senior project. They helped out by setting up tables and chairs. Along with that, they had their own stand and sold car stickers and lollipops. A month before the walk they went to the Hoyt Library and helped the people behind the Buddy Walk by folding shirts and getting everything organized for the big walk.

“The GNA Insider” sat down with Meghan Boyle and Meghan Prushinski to ask a few questions about their senior project.

What sparked your interest in choosing to participate in The Buddy Walk for your senior project?

Meghan Boyle: “We decided to do the Buddy Walk because it is a great organization and it deserves more attention.  

How much time and planning would you say went into your senior project altogether?

Meghan Boyle: We all decided we were going to do it last year. It took a couple of weeks to plan everything with the organizer.

How much money was raised for The Buddy Walk?

Meghan Prushinski: Considering The Buddy Walk is a national event, they raised $12.1 million.

Does The Buddy Walk Program have a specific significance to you?

Meghan Prushinski: Yes, it does because my cousin has Down syndrome and I want people to be more aware of the condition.