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The annual Buddy Walk in Dalton is the largest fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Family Group.
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The walk includes games and activities at Craneville Elementary School.
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Hundreds Turn Out for 18th Annual Berkshire Buddy Walk

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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The annual Buddy Walk is an outgrowth of the Down Syndrome Family Group which was started by local families seeking support and guidance. Berkshire County Arc provides training, support and community awareness. 
DALTON, Mass. — A sea of blue took over parts of Dalton on Saturday as more than 600 people marched to raise awareness for Down syndrome in the 18th annual Buddy Walk. 
 
Onlookers waved at the people decked out in light blue Buddy Walk T-shirts as they marched down Main Street and some side streets. 
 
Prior to and following the event, people gathered at Craneville Elementary School for festivities that included music, raffles, food, lawn games, and more. 
 
Children, families, and community members laughed and played, whether they were having their faces painted, getting balloon animals from BTC Entertainment's balloon artist Andrew, or being lifted in a pyramid by Wahconah Regional High School's cheerleaders, playing with bubblies, or using the school's park equipment. 
 
The goals of the walk are three-fold: to celebrate Down syndrome awareness, to educate the general public and to advocate on behalf of the thousands of Americans born with Down syndrome each year.
 
The Down Syndrome Family Group started as a small group of families that came to Berkshire County Arc urging the need for support, said Berkshire County Arc President and CEO Maryann Hyatt. 
 
"It has grown to this kind of event for 18 years in a row. We provide education, we provide training, we provide community awareness when a family member has a children that's born with a disability," Hyatt said. 
 
"This group, the Down Syndrome Family Group, along with Berkshire County Arc, we are there for them, to help and support them throughout their life. So it has huge, phenomenal impact." 
 
The organization is family driven, BCArc's family advocate Chris Ferrari said.  
 
The Down Syndrome Family Group was started by a small group of families, and it has grown incredibly; however, the goal remains the same: providing support for families and raising awareness. 
 
The Buddy Walk is the organization's biggest fundraising event of the year, Ferrari said. 
 
"Every year they look forward to it. They can't wait," she said. 
 
"There is nothing else like it in Berkshire County," Hyatt added. 
 
The funds raised from the event go toward the Down Syndrome Family Group's programming, which includes stipends, events, training, and any other needs the community expresses. 
 
Photos from the event here

Tags: benefit walk,   down syndrome,   fundraiser,   

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BVNA Nurses Raise Funds for Berkshire Bounty

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nursing Association members of the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association raised $650 to help with food insecurity in Berkshire County.
 
The nurses and health-care professionals of BVNA have given back to the community every holiday season for the last three years. The first year, they adopted a large family, raised money, bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for the family. Last year, they sold raffle tickets and the money raised went to the charitable cause of the winner. 
 
This year, with food insecurity as a rising issue, they chose to give to Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington.
 
They sold raffle tickets for a drawing to win one of two items: A lottery ticket tree or a gift certificate tree, each worth $100. They will be giving the organization the donation this month.
 
Berkshire Bounty seeks to improve food security in the county through food donations from retailers and local farms; supplemental purchases of healthy foods; distribution to food sites and home deliveries; and collaborating with partners to address emergencies and improve the food system. 
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