TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) —   You have the chance to help raise funds, and awareness, for those living with Down syndrome here in the Wabash Valley next month.

The annual Buddy Walk will be on Saturday, April 29th outside the ISU memorial stadium.  It’s being put on by Down Syndrome Indiana.

Dixie Russell is helping to organize the event.  She joined our Shelby Reilly and David Shepherd live Thursday morning on WTWO Today.

“We started doing [the] Buddy Walk right after my second daughter, Sophie, was born,” explains Russell.  “We learned that she had Down Syndrome shortly after she was born.  And, so, we found out about the organization, and Down Syndrome Indiana and we found out about Buddy Walk.  It was just something we knew immediately we wanted to be a part of.”

The annual walk is an opportunity to celebrate those with Down syndrome and raise awareness of the issues those with the disorder face every day.

“I think one of the biggest challenges we see is just inclusion.  People with disabilities, and in general, sometimes seem to be overlooked or ignored and, so, I think just knowing someone with a disability wants to be included.  They want to feel loved and that they belong.  It’s super important.”

Click HERE for more information about this year’s Buddy Walk in Terre Haute and how you can get involved.