Regal Entertainment Group

NDSS is proud to partner with Regal Entertainment Group for an annual nationwide rollout of a 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) in all 7,200 movie screens owned by the entertainment conglomerate.  The PSA, celebrating the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and the Buddy Walk program, features celebrities who support NDSS.  The PSA aired in theaters for three weeks in 2009 and for two weeks in 2008. A 2010 partnership with Regal Entertainment Group is in the works.

Knology

Knology, a southeastern US based communications provider, selected the NDSS Buddy Walk as their national charity after being involved for several years in Montgomery, Alabama.

Knology was involved with 10 Buddy Walk events in 2009. The company provided financial support as well as promoted the local Walks on billboards and their many radio and television stations.  The Buddy Walk has quickly become the favorite and most anticipated event of the Knology staff, and the contact they have had with local Walk leaders and their families has made a profound impact on their lives. Knology will once again partner with the National Down Syndrome Society in 2010.

Okobos

NDSS is thrilled to partner with Okobos, a socially-conscious company whose mission shares common themes and goals of the National Buddy Walk program.

NDSS has partnered with the Okobos Walking Together Program to raise awareness and funds for the Down syndrome community. A custom Okobit, the ornamental part of the footwear, was designed for the Buddy Walk.

Okobos became active in the Buddy Walk program in 2009, providing footwear as giveaways to a select group of Walks, as well as providing merchandise as incentives to Walk organizers.  In 2010, they will sponsor the awards at the Buddy Walk Conference and will continue to look for new ways increase their participation in the program.

The Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation

The Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was inspired by the golf accomplishments of Brad Hennefer, a young man who has Down syndrome and has been playing golf for almost his entire life.

The Hennefer family’s goal is to now provide to other individuals who have Down syndrome the same opportunities to work with a PGA Professional that have been provided to Brad.

The mission of the Golf for Life program is to provide a golf developmental process for individuals with Down syndrome to introduce the game of golf at a young age, provide a level of consistency, maintain involvement and participation, provide opportunities for competition regardless of skill level and physical abilities, with support for special assistance that may ultimately lead to employment in the golf industry.

The Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation has been involved with the national Buddy Walk program since 2008 and has provided golf clinics with PGA Professionals at numerous Walks across the country in addition to financial assistance to NDSS.

 If you are interested in becoming a national partner of the Buddy Walk, please contact Becky Switalski, National Buddy Walk Director.