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WHAT: Buddy Walk of the Valley

WHEN: Aug. 15

WHERE: Shops at Boardman Park

WHY: To raise funds for Down syndrome research, advocacy and education programs

DETAILS: registration, 8 a.m.; pre-walk announcements, 9:45 a.m.; Buddy Walk, 10 a.m.; post-walk activities, 10:30 a.m.

WHO: Hosted by Down Syndrome Association of the Valley, with special guest, actor Chris Burke

Bill and Stephanie Champlin of Salem plan to take a walk with their son, William, on Aug. 15 - accompanied by an expected 3,000 buddies advocating for Down syndrome.

"We're just committed to raising awareness and educating people, that a complete and happy life is possible," Stephanie said.

At this time three years ago, they were awaiting the birth of their first child and didn't know much about the chromosomal condition which results in cognitive delays.

When William was born, the news about him having Down syndrome was unexpected, but they said they "sought out as many resources as we could on what to expect."

"I have a beautiful son and he's truly been a gift to our lives," Stephanie said.

They didn't find a lot of support materials at the hospital and wanted to be a part of making sure resources were available with up-to-date, accurate information. The Down Syndrome Association of the Valley had just been established in 2007, so they joined and became involved.

They now serve as the Columbiana County contacts for the group. Stephanie put her background in marketing to work to design materials and they're involved in planning and decision making. Bill serves on the board and Stephanie serves as chair of the Buddy Walk of the Valley, their largest fund-raising activity which she said is crucial to allowing DSAV "to continue to make funds available to support our missions and provide services to individuals."

The National Down Syndrome Society started the idea of the Buddy Walk in 1995 as a means to raise awareness, promote inclusion and raise funds for research, education and advocacy programs. Stephanie said the walks have grown from 13 in the first year to more than 300 nationwide, including the one set for August 15 at the Shops at Boardman Park.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with pre-walk announcements and line-up at 9:45 a.m. and the walk beginning at 10 a.m., followed by post-walk activities, such as basket raffles, complimentary food and drinks and Buddy Town. Buddy Town will feature games and crafts for children, face painting and an area where businesses can tell about their services, such as Webber's Educational Toys of Lisbon which builds puzzles with a peg on each piece to help build motor skills.

Special guests will include a magician performing before 9 a.m., the Boardman Fire Department doing demonstrations, cheerleaders from Lisbon, East Palestine, South Range and Youngstown State University, including Pete and Penny Penguin. The South Range High School Marching Band will perform.

Chris Burke, the actor who played Corky on the television series "Life Goes On" and Taylor on "Touched by an Angel," will the lead the walk again. He attended last year, the first one for the DSAV, and will perform a post-walk concert with Joe & John DeMasi at 11 a.m. He'll sign autographs as 9 a.m. and at noon.

"He's just an inspiration to our families - a self-advocate and a wonderful example of everything our children can achieve," Stephanie said.

Familes from all five counties supported by the DSAV attend, including Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties in Ohio and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania. The registration fee is $10 for the Buddy Walk. Walkers can register online at www.dsav.org.

With money raised, the DSAV provided new parent packs for all the hospitals in the five-county area. Included in the packs is a card parents can send to receive a welcome basket with toys for the children, educational books and information on DSAV. A prenatal diagnosis book was mailed to all the obstetricians in the five-county area. Each library in the five-county area also received a collection of 10 books dealing with Down Syndrome, with educational books, inspirational books and information about therapies and gross and fine motor skills.

One of the goals of the group is to establish a location known as a Center for Success where parents can talk to other parents and educators can get materials.

More than 200 families belong to the DSAV, with 11 families in Columbiana County, including East Liverpool and Salem. The group hosts legal lectures for estate planning, speakers from the medical profession and from area Down syndrome clinics who talk about challenges to expect. They also have fun activities, including last year's Christmas Party at the Salem Community Center.

The group matched a $5,000 grant from CVS Caremark with another $5,000, with families able to apply for up to $500 to cover the cost of inclusive activities for their children, such as boy scouts, swimming lessons, therapies not covered by insurance and educational services.

"We're here for families in the county," Stephanie said, with Bill adding,"Families can call us if they just want to talk."

Bill stressed the importance of early intervention and understanding the challenges ahead. They both said they benefitted from programs such as Help Me Grow through the Columbiana County Health Department and early intervention through Robert Bycroft School. William will attend preschool at Buckeye Elementary in Salem this year.

To reach the DSAV, call 330-979-3728 or check the Web site at www.dsav.org.

Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net