DownRight ExtraOrdinary Walk for Down Syndrome ready for 29th year at John Prince Park

Kari Barnett, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
·2 min read

The DownRight ExtraOrdinary Walk for Down Syndrome is back for a one-mile walk through John Prince Park in Lake Worth on Oct. 22.

Heading into its 29th year, the walk has benefited the Boca Raton-based Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization that provides programs and efforts to promote awareness of the capabilities and talents of people with Down syndrome.

“The DownRight ExtraOrdinary Walk for Down Syndrome is the lifeblood of our organization. The funds we raise has
made it possible to serve an increasing number of families through an expanding number of programs. But more importantly, it is the heart of our organization,” Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization Executive Director Anne Dichele said in a statement.

“Since 1995, we have come together every year as a community of families, friends and neighbors to celebrate the very real abilities of individuals with Down syndrome. Many of our families with children in their 20s attended their first walk with their babies in strollers. Parents like to tell you, they haven’t gotten older, only the kids!”

Walk participants will get a T-shirt and a free breakfast with activities including an auction and raffle tent, bounce houses, face painting, children’s game area, pony rides, petting zoo and fitness corner, among others.

This will be the 20th year walk chairwoman Daniela Chea has been a volunteer for the event.

“I am so proud to be involved with this amazing event, both as the chair and a top fundraiser. The DownRight ExtraOrdinary Walk raises most of the money for the Gold Coast Down Syndrome programs that help children and adults,” she said in a statement.

“As a mother of a child with Down syndrome, I can tell you these programs make all the difference. Gold Coast has been there for us since Andrew was a small child. Now that he is out of school, he is taking advantage of Adult Enrichment Classes at the GCDSO Resource Center. It is so comforting to me that Gold Coast will be with us throughout his life. They are far more than an organization—they are a second family for us.”

The walk is from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 22 at John Prince Park, Eric Call Pavilion, 4759 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth.

Advance registration is $25 and $30 on the day of the walk.

Visit ds-stride.org/downrightextraordinary or contact Corinne Pike at goldcoastdsorg@att.net or 561-752-3383.