Welcome to this edition of the Down Syndrome Support Newsletter!

All I can say is WOW! What a great turn our for our 3rd Annual Buddy Walk. We had over 950 walkers and raised over $44,000 that will go to local groups and to NDSS. What a great day, it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and so much support from family, co-works, friends and dogs too. Jennifer "AKA, Brandon & Ella's mom"

Buddy Walk Wrap-up

Photos
Thanks to Michael Anthony Studios who photographed the day for us. Photos can be viewed and purchased through his web site: http://www.michaelanthonystudios.com

Thank You to Our 2005 Committee Members
Nick Caracci, Member
Wendy English, Volunteer Coordinator
Jeanette Kerr, Fundraising
Jennifer Paganessi, Chair
Jason Paganessi, Treasurer
Andrea Prochaska, Registration
Sandi Skonieczny, Fundraising

Would you like to be a part of the planning committee next year?
Let us know at info@dssupport.net

We also would like to send a special Thanks to Al May. He was the original organizer for our walk and this year he stepped aside to help start up the D.A.D.S. program.

Sponsors
Thanks to the many wonderful companies that helped make our day possible!

Silver Sponsor ($3,000-$6,999)

Man Financial

Bronze Sponsor (0-$2,000)
A Bouncing Good Time
Arbor Vitae Java & Juice
Cornerstone Medical
GiGi's Playhouse
GiGi's Playhouse too
Jennings Chevrolet
Milestones For Kids Success
Share & Care Daycare
Splinters Sports Club
The Foot & Ankle Institute

Event Photographers
Heartworks Photography
Michael Anthony Studios

Refreshment Stand provided by:
Pegasus Packaging

Thanks to SWIBCO for providing our buttons.

Silent Auction Items
Chicago White Sox - Autographed photo of Jon Garland
Chicago White Sox - Autographed photo of Ross Gload
Chicago Cubs - Autographed Baseball by Carlos Zambrano

Raffle Items
Build-A Bear - $10 in Cub Cash
ComedySportz - 4 tickets
Chicago Bulls - 04/05 Yearbook & pin
Chris Burke & his band - Signed and Framed photo
DuPage Children's Museum - Family Pass (Qty 2)
Drury Lane Oakbrook - 4 tickets to Once Upon a Mattress (3 sets)
Eli's Cheesecake - 9" cheesecake
Gold Canyon Basket - donated by Debbie Lewis
Hilton Lisle/Naperville - Brunch for two
Chicago International Film Festival - 10 free passes
Joliet Jack Hammers - 2 Box Seats
Kane County Cougars - 4 Lawn Tickets
La Finesse - Cut and Style
Maggiano's - $25 Gift Certificate
Movie Basket- Incredible DVD & Goodies
Naperville Heritage Society - 2 Family Gift Certificates
Northshore Magazine - 1 year subscription
Shedd Aquarium - 4 VIP tickets
Traverso's Italian Restaurant - Dinner for Two
Woodbine House - 2 books, I Can, Can you & The Best Worst Brother
Windy City Ledgends Framed Print - Donated by Lou Skonieczny
911 Trivit - Donated by Lou Skonieczny
Tea Basket - Donated by Kris & Joe Kuchler
Wine - Donated by Betty Skonieczny
Arbor Vitae Java & Juice - Coffee Basket
Palm Court Restaurant- $30 Gift Certificate
Tortorice's Pizza - Certificate for a free pizza
Hackney's Restaurant - $15 gift certificate
Grand Victoria Casino - Dinner for 2
Costco Wholesale - $25 gift card

The best way we can thank our sponsors is to visit their establishment and let them know you saw them at the DS Support Buddy Walk.

Exhibitors:
DADS (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome)
NADS (National Association of Down Syndrome)
Frankie's Fund
GiGi's Playhouse
GiGi's Playhouse too
Heartworks Photography
Lisle Police Department
Lisle Fire Department
Milestones for Kids
Western Suburban Support Group
Usborne Books (a portion of their sales will be given to DS Support)

Congratulations to our winning teams!! (based on the funds that were turned in on Sept 24)

1st place: Ariana's Angels Too
2nd place: Ariana's Angels
3rd place: Oliver's Outlaws

This was our first year for teams and we cannot Thank You enough for a great first year!
(Please note we will list the complete team totals on our web site once we have received all funds)

We want your comments and ideas for the walk!!

Following this newsletter there will be an email with a link to take a short online survey. Please take a minute to fill out this survey so we can continue to make the walk better each year.
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224QFB5H93Y

October is Down syndrome awareness month many of you showed your support by attending the walk. Help spread more awareness by voicing your opinion about creating a Down syndrome awareness postage stamp. Instructions can be found here: http://capwiz.com/ndss/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7923196

Indian origin doctor moots World Down Syndrome Day
Indo-Asian News Service
Johannesburg, October 22, 2005
An Indian-origin Singaporean doctor says the UN should be urged to support a call for a World Down Syndrome Day March 21, with the inaugural one on the child disease mooted for next year.

Balbir Singh, president of Down Syndrome International (DSI), told the second Southern African Conference on Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability here that his organization had officially earmarked March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).

Down Syndrome is the most common cause of mental retardation and malformation that affects some newborns.

The objective of WDSD is to commemorate, create and accomplish a level of awareness and understanding of Down Syndrome through highlighting the potential and ability of people with the syndrome to be an integral part of an inclusive community, he said.

"The date was chosen to signify the uniqueness of the syndrome as the Trisomy 21 chromosome is used synonymously with Down Syndrome," said Singh.
Down Syndrome Association (DSI) Singapore, founded by Singh some 25 years ago, will host a series of events and activities to launch the inaugural WDSD.
"DSI members and related organizations worldwide will be encouraged to observe the WDSD together with the community in an appropriate manner", Singh said.
He invited participants of the conference to send delegates to Singapore for the inaugural celebrations.

Speaking to IANS, Singh conceded that even if the UN acceded to the request for an international day like the one proposed it may take some years because of the processes that have to be followed.

Singh also said that while India had a lot of state and non-governmental institutions looking after the needs of intellectually challenged people, very little was done specifically for people with Down Syndrome.

"As in all communities, the Indian community also tends to keep children and adults with Down Syndrome away from the public eye. There is unfortunately still a stigma attached to this although people with Down Syndrome can be useful members of society with support and acceptance."

Singh, who got involved in the Down Syndrome fraternity after the birth of his daughter Jaspreet 25 years ago, is proof of this.

Calendar

GiGi Calendars are now on Sale!

You can purchase them online through:
www.gigisplayhousetoo.com/store.asp or you can call the playhouse
at 847-885-PLAY