The 24th annual Jacksonville Beach Buddy Walk is scheduled for Saturday at Seawalk Pavilion, bringing a one-mile walk, family festival and awards ceremony to the beachfront venue.
Activities begin at 10 a.m., according to First Coast News. The event is free to attend and is expected to include music, food trucks, games, bounce houses and a DJ. An awards ceremony is planned for 12:30 p.m.
The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville organizes the event, its largest annual celebration and signature fundraiser. Participants may register or join a team for a fee that includes a T-shirt and supports the association's work; on-site registration will be available. Donations may also be made without joining a team.
Funds raised support programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, including new-parent support, social and recreation programs, educational workshops, advocacy and the Inclusion Solutions Scholarship. The scholarship can help families with expenses such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, swim lessons and tutoring.
The association says it has provided information, guidance and support since 1989 and serves more than 1,500 individuals, families and community members across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Its services extend from prenatal diagnosis and early intervention through adulthood.
The Buddy Walk is part of a national program established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Jacksonville Beach's event has drawn large crowds in previous years: News4JAX reported that the 2021 walk attracted more than 2,000 participants and raised more than $300,000.
