Surrounding the American Airlines Center, a variety of food trucks line up in the streets as adults and children dance to the music playing in the background at Victory Plaza. This was the scene on Sunday, November 1st for the annual Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas Buddy Walk.

The Buddy Walk is a festival consisting of activities and games as well as a one-mile walk around the West End of the American Airlines Center. All money raised for the Buddy Walk goes to the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas (DSG), a nonprofit organization that provides support for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families in the Dallas community. The Buddy Walk is just one of the ways the DSG works to accomplish their goal, hosting other events in the Dallas area such as the iCan Bike Camp, as well as a golf tournament. These events function to include those with Down Syndrome in the community and to celebrate their abilities and accomplishments.

A tradition started by Coach Bob Wunderlick years ago, the football program participates in the event every year and competes to see which side of the ball can raise the most money. For the offense, Varsity running back Adam Holtz ‘16 was the captain, while the starting defensive end Ryan Brooks ‘16 was the captain for the defense. This year, the “defense barely beat the offense,” said Head Football Coach Brandon Hickman, as the defense raised slightly more money, but in total the football program raised over $18,000, “which was much higher than previous seasons.” The money the football team raised helped the DSG significantly surpass their goal of three hundred thousand dollars for the event. 

Along with the over 100 members of the football program that went to the Buddy Walk, many students and faculty from Jesuit as well as clubs such as Brothers for Others also participated in the event. A member of Brother for Others, Abbas Hussain ‘17, really enjoyed the Buddy Walk as he felt that it “truly embodied the Jesuit profile of being men for others. The event simply warmed up my heart. I will definitely take part in the event next year.” Besides Hussain, Ryan Clements ‘17 also walked a mile around the West End of the AAC, commenting, “This was my third year participating in the Buddy Walk and each year, I can’t help but smile when I see how much fun the kids with Down Syndrome are having. Even though it rained a little this year, it did not dampen our spirits. We still loved supporting a fantastic cause.” 

If you didn’t get a chance to walk the “fun mile” around the AAC this year, make sure to participate next November as you can help bring joy to individuals with Down Syndrome.

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