23rd Annual National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk to Take Place September 16 in Two Historic New York City Locations - Times Square and Central Park

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Down Syndrome Society will hold its 23^rd Annual Buddy Walk in New York City on Saturday, Sept. 16. The day will start in the bright lights of Times Square where the annual NDSS Times Square Video will be displayed on two video boards in Duffy Square (7^th Avenue & West 47^th Street), courtesy of Clear Channel Spectacolor, with almost 500 images of people with Down syndrome from all over the world.

Following the preview of the 2017 NDSS Times Square video, advocates will head to historic Central Park where the annual Buddy Walk and other festivities will take place on the Great Hill (106^th Street and Central Park West). Joining NDSS at the 23^rd Annual Buddy Walk will be a host of celebrities and dignitaries from the Down syndrome community including Chris Wragge from CBS 2 in New York, Mark and DeAnne Stidham of LuLaRoe, John Cronin of John's Crazy Socks, actress Jamie Brewer, Beachbody Celebrity Yoga Trainer Vytas Baskauskas and former NFL Player Zac Stacy.

"For the last 23 years, our NDSS New York City Buddy Walk, along with our local walks across the country, remain the cornerstone of our NDSS awareness and advocacy efforts," said NDSS President Sara Hart Weir. "Collectively, the Down syndrome community is stronger and more unified, when we speak with one voice, and as a community, we are breaking down barriers across all levels of government like never before. This is our chance to show the world the amazing accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome – people with Down syndrome are living longer, healthier and productive lives, attending post-secondary education programs, getting married, obtaining gainful employment, and are more integrated into the fabric of society than ever before."

Premier Sponsors of the NDSS New York City Buddy Walk include LuLaRoe, Voya Financial, ClearChannel Outdoor, Croakies, Honey Stinger, Headsweats, Gigi's Playhouse NYC, Little Caesars, Wuhl Shafman Lieberman Corp and Essentia Water, LLC.

"NDSS is grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who make this event possible," said Weir. "Their heartfelt contributions help ensure that our Buddy Walk participants and their families will make memories to last a life time."

The National Buddy Walk program has more than 250 events yearly with more than 325,000 participants across the globe. It has been ranked in the top 30 peer-to-peer fundraisers nationally since 2008 when records of the top fundraisers were being kept. Funds from the event directly support NDSS' efforts to advocate for all individuals with Down syndrome (and their families) at the federal, state and local levels.

About NDSS
The National Down Syndrome Society is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS provides state-of-the-art, comprehensive programming to all individuals with Down syndrome and their families with four main areas of programming which include: the National Advocacy & Policy Center, the National Inclusive Health & Sports Program featuring our National Buddy Walk® Program, Community Outreach and Resources and Public Awareness. NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. For more information visit www.ndss.org.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/23rd-annual-national-down-syndrome-society-buddy-walk-to-take-place-september-16-in-two-historic-new-york-city-locations---times-square-and-central-park-300519747.html

SOURCE National Down Syndrome Society