Buddy Walk at Sea!

We are excited to share with you details of our first ever “Buddy Walk® at Sea” that will take place during the 2012 Buddy Cruise® on board Freedom of the Seas. The purpose of this walk is to raise awareness and promote acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome. In addition to participating in the walk during the conference you also have the opportunity to form a team prior to the event, raise money and earn awesome incentives!!

The Buddy Walk® was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to nearly 300 walks planned for 2012 worldwide. In 2011, more than $11.2 million was raised nationwide to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy and public awareness initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome. Buddy Cruise® is honored to be an active participant in this event.

The Buddy Walk at Sea fundraising will begin on March 21, 2012. There are several ways you can collect money for your team. The first step is to create your fundraising page. Directions are attached. Once you have created your team, email the information to your family and friends, share on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also collect donations that are not made online. Checks should be made payable to Buddy Cruise Inc. and include your teams name in the memo section. Contact Michelle at buddywalk@buddycruise.org for details on mailing checks and any other BuddyWalk at Sea questions.

For every $100.00 raised you will receive 1 Sand Dollar that can be redeemed for incentives that include but are not limited to t-shirts, gift cards, on board credit and even an iPad!! If you are not planning to cruise with us this year you can still form a team and earn incentives! A detailed incentive list will be emailed to you once your team is set up online.

The Buddy Walk® at Sea fundraiser will begin March 21, 2012. August 1, 2012 is the deadline for Buddy Cruise Inc® to receive money for the “Buddy Walk at Sea” Sand Dollar fundraising incentive program. Donations received after August 1, 2012 are greatly appreciated but will not be counted towards the Sand Dollar incentive program.

By August 6, 2012 each team will be contacted with the amount of Sand Dollars they have earned and directions on how to redeem them for incentives. All Sand Dollars must be redeemed by August 17. If you will be taking part in Buddy Cruise 2012 your incentives will be given to you at registration on board the ship. If you will not be taking part in Buddy Cruise 2012 your incentives will be mailed to upon the return of Buddy Cruise 2012.