• The Buddy Walk of the Valley is the largest fundraising event for the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley.
• In the past two years, through the support of area residents, businesses and schools we raised over $150,000 dollars to support those in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania who have Down syndrome.
• The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
• Over the past fourteen years, the Buddy Walk® program has grown from 17 walks to more than 280 across the country and around the world.
• The Buddy Walk® is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is a wonderful, heart-warming event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome.
• Whether you have Down Syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join the Buddy Walk of the Valley 2010!

The Down Syndrome Association of the Valley (DSAV) is a non-profit organization established to support, advocate and be a resource for those with Down syndrome and their families in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

The DSAV opened its first awareness center, the DSAV Center for Success in October of 2009. Located at 945 Boardman-Canfield Rd. in Boardman Ohio, the Center for Success offers a centralized location for materials, classes and meetings.

 Serving our communities with the funds we raise by providing...

• the first Down syndrome Center in the area:  The DSAV Center for Success.
• hundreds of new Down syndrome books and resources for the Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Mercer, Lawrence and Beaver County libraries and schools.
• new parent packs along with support materials for members, educators and healthcare professionals in Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont, Monroe and Washington counties in Ohio and Mercer, Lawrence, Beaver and Butler counties in PA.
• funds for the DSAV Family Grant program.  Since the inception of our Family Grant Program in January 2009, over $15,000 has gone directly to help pay for medical services, therapies, activities, classes, devices and resources for our DSAV families.
• funding for medical, legal and educational lectures as well as social and therapeutic events.