On October 22nd the Sarasota Squad members of Guardians of Justice had the opportunity to attend the Manasota BUDS walk at Hunsaders Farm for the first time. Our organization was happy to being a relationship with this group as we have spent two years participating in events with the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida.

The Manasota BUDS (Bringing Up Down Syndrome) organization, provides families with a neutral supportive forum for sharing and networking, and to promote understanding and acceptance of Down Syndrome. They host an annual walk to bring the community together and raise money for programs and services for the individuals/families that have Down Syndrome.

Over 1200 walkers, supporters and volunteers attended the Manasota BUDS 15th Annual Buddy Walk. With a goal of $100,000, Buddy Walk sponsors and supporters have raised over $50,000. With additional fundraising and grant efforts in 2016, they’ve raised over $85,000 to help maintain and hopefully increase our resources, programs, events, scholarships and supports for individuals with Down syndrome and their families in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Batman, Beast Boy, Raven, and Princesses Cinderella and Briar Rose had an amazing time on this day. All of the Guardians had the chance to participate in pre-walk Yoga. They even partnered up with some of the walkers which turned out very interestingly! Surprisingly, Raven and Beast Boy are very limber and are very good at Yoga. Our princesses even had the great pleasure of dancing with some very wonderful honorary Princes.

At the beginning of the walk each of our Guardians lined the starting path to encourage all of the walkers and their families by giving out high fives and good lucks. October is Down Syndrome awareness event and we love that our Guardian family has the opportunity to support by attending two Buddy Walks in two different locations for the first time.

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