Down Syndrome Congress Buddy Walk In Wakefield Raises $450K+

WAKEFIELD, MA — Crowds gathered in Wakefield over the weekend to mark the return of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress’ annual Buddy Walk to celebrate and raise money for people with Down syndrome.

Gov. Charlie Baker joined the festivities alongside State Rep. Sean Garballey and others, addressing attendees during a speaking portion of the event. Together, they celebrated recent legislation to expand access to postsecondary opportunities for people with autism and significant intellectual disabilities.

Long in the making, the legislation earned Baker’s signature earlier this year.

“It took a lot longer than any of us wanted,” Garballey said, thanking colleagues, advocates and Baker himself for finalizing what has been hailed as a progressive bill not seen elsewhere in the U.S.

The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress is based in Burlington and works to support and advocate for the Down syndrome community.

Its flagship walk is a longstanding tradition. The event went on hold for two years in 2020 and 2021, though, as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and then continued.

Baker, who has attended several previous Down Syndrome Congress Buddy Walks said he was excited to be back at this weekend’s event on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield.

“It’s hard for me to think of a community that is kinder, more positive or more decent than the folks who are part of this community here in the commonwealth,” he said of Massachusetts’ Down syndrome community.

“In 2020 and 2021, the vibe that comes out of this event is exactly what we needed when we were dealing with all the rotten stuff that was going on,” he continued.

This weekend’s Buddy Walk event served as an anchor event for larger Buddy Walk programming across the state.

Proceeds from the Buddy Walk program go back into various programs and service, as noted on the Down Syndrome Congress’ website.

By Monday, the 2022 Buddy Walk had raised a total of $456,853 with more than 1,200 total participants, according to the Down Syndrome Congress.