Welcome to Up With Down!

Up With Down is a non-profit support and advocacy group for individuals with Downsyndrome and their families. We are based in Des Moines and serve more than 250 families in central Iowa.

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Up With Down
Buddy Walk
August 25, 2012
At DMACC in Ankeny

Please visit

http://www.ezeventsolutions.com/fr/upwithdown/2012buddywalk

to register or donate to the 2012 walk!

Thanks to everyone who made our 2011 walk a success!!

We had 1289 registered walkers/runners!

The Wilder Side Band will make a repeat appearance! 

 

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 seventeen years, the Buddy Walk program has grown from 17 walks to nearly 300 expected in 2012 across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 285,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk! They raised more than $11.2 million to benefit local programs and services as well as the national advocacy initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is an inspirational and educational 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 our Buddy Walk in Ankeny!

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Gigi's Playhouse Des Moines has been open for almost two years!

If you haven't heard about Gigi's before, you can check out their website at www.gigisplayhouse.org  You can also find the GiGi's Playhouse calendar there so you know what activities are being planned.

Gigi's Playhouse is a Down syndrome awareness center. It is a place where we can gather and our kids can play and learn.

Our address is 10430 New York Ave. Ste A. Urbandale, IA 50322. You can get directions from google maps.

There are now 10 Gigi's locations! There are 4 more in the works including one in Mexico which will make us international!

Our Gigi's Playhouse is operated mostly by volunteers. We have one paid employee, our site coordinator, Johnna Davis. All the board members are volunteering their time and energy to keep this fantastic place open for our kids and families. Thank you to all of them for their hard work and dedication!

GiGi's Playhouse Des Moines hours are M-F 9am-3pm.