A Kewanee woman is bringing a national awareness program to Kewanee. Kali Stoops, event chair, along with other volunteers, have announced Buddy Walk Kewanee, an event designed to not only raise awareness and promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Downs syndrome, but to also raise funds.

Buddy Walk was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society and “has grown to be the biggest and most recognizable Down Syndrome Awareness program. Hundreds of walks happen every year world wide,” according to information from the NDSS.

“I heard about the Buddy Walk program from living in Bloomington,” Stoops said.

At the time, the Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization hosted a Buddy Walk every year in the Bloomington- Normal area, she said.

The idea to bring a walk here came about after searching for local summertime resources for children with Downs syndrome.

“I wanted the Buddy Walk to come to Kewanee because there are limited advocates and resources for individuals in our area diagnosed with Down syndrome. I wanted to bring awareness and community inclusion to Kewanee for not just those with Down syndrome but for all with disabilities,” said Stoops.

How the Buddy Walk works, Stoops said, is in a fundraising fashion. Teams are formed to fundraise up until the event, similar to the fundraising used for the St. Jude runs.

“The highest fundraising individual will receive recognition during the ceremony and the highest fundraising team will get to lead the walk,” she said. “Teams can be named after someone with Down syndrome, businesses or anything you want as supporters of our friends with Down syndrome.”

Stoops also has plans for the funds raised. Proceeds of Kewanee’s first walk will go towards establishing and enhancing summer programming for children with special needs in Kewanee.

Kewanee does have a one-week special needs day camp, run by Sharon DeSmit, and put on each year by the Kewanee Park District, but Stoops said she would like to see a longer duration for the camp.

Since announcing her plans, the public has been very receptive, she said.

“Everyone I have talked to is excited to hear about the event. We have a Facebook page, post flyers and have been pushing out a lot of emails,” she said.

But she still hopes to see participation increase.

“We have a handful of core volunteers that act as our board members. But, anyone is allowed to attend our meeting,” she said, and she is still in need of volunteers for the day of the event to help with parking, setting up stations and then clean-up.

The Buddy Walk Kewanee will be held Oct. 14 at Windmont Park. Registration begins at 8 am, and the walk begins after an opening ceremony. The organizers are selling raffle tickets for prizes, and residents and attendees can purchase the tickets until 11 am that day. The raffle will be conducted prior to 1 pm, when the event will wrap up.

There are also plans for a food truck and activities at stations placed around the park.

More information can be obtained by visiting or messaging the event’s Facebook page or by emailing buddywalkkewanee@gmail.com

“I would like to stress the importance of summer programming for children with disabilities,” said Stoops. “It is not a guarantee for a child to receive summer help through the school and there are limited options for children in Kewanee.”