DALTON, Mass. — There was a penny raffle to support the Berkshire Arc Down Syndrome Family Group in the fields at Craneville Elementary School, but the Buddy Walk of the Berkshires Saturday morning was not about raising money.

 

And it never has been.

 

For the 19th year, the families who lift up their loved ones with Down Syndrome and one another on a daily basis welcomed the support of the wider community.

 

More than 600 participants registered to participate in the walk from the school down to Main Street (Route 8) and back through the neighborhoods many of the participants call home.

 

"I've been involved with this event from the beginning and, in some way, I believe I've been to all but last year when I got the date wrong," state Sen. Paul Mark told the crowd before the walk began. "What a great event, what a great example of the amazing supportive community that Dalton and the Berkshires is.

 

"And it's just great year after year to see people gathering, offering support for families and letting everybody know that this is a welcoming community and a place you want to raise a family and a place you want to be."

 

The National Down Syndrome Society lists more than 100 Buddy Walks nationwide plus two international events, in Japan and Trinidad and Tobago.

 

The Buddy Walk of the Berkshires is one of three in the Bay State, along with walks in Westfield on Oct. 4 and Wakefield on Oct. 12.

 

The goal of the Buddy Walk is to educate about, advocate for and celebrate the Down syndrome community.

 

After carrying the event's banner through the streets of Dalton and hearing the well wishes of the motorists stopped for the walk and residents who waved from their porches, the families and allies returned to Craneville for lunch, face-painting, lawn games and that penny raffle, which featured scores of prizes donated by families and businesses throughout the county.

 

Planning already is under way for next fall's 20th edition of the Buddy Walk.

 

See photos here.