Columbia Basin Buddy Walk brings community together

MOSES LAKE - Bonnie Mohr's poem Living Life ends with the lines, "Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment."

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in McCosh Park, friends and family gathered to celebrate and honor those with Down syndrome during the Columbia Basin Buddy Walk.

Moses Lake mayor Dick Deane was on hand and read Mohr's poem in its entirety after saying a few words on behalf of those in attendance.

"I'm proud to have been invited," he said. "It was a gift for me to be invited to come to this program today because I have a handicap and it had to be my eyes, but that's just how it was."

Deane was happy with the support the event received as several cash sponsors donated up to $1,655. Other business, such as Home Depot, also donated products and services.

"It unifies our community and the unification of our community is really the strength of our community," Deane said.

The buddy walk was organized by Kerry Aronsohn and the Down Syndrome Society of Grant County.

Last year's event was put on by Daniella Aronsohn, Kerry's daughter, for her senior project. She was inspired after attending a buddy walk in the Tri-Cities to support her little brother Gevin.

After Daniella finished her project, Kerry wanted to continue the Columbia Basin Buddy Walk in the future. The Down Syndrome Society of Grant County was created and began planning this year's event in November. The society is currently working toward becoming an official nonprofit organization.

This year's event grew exponentially from last year as cars crammed into the parking lots and lined the streets around the park.

Entering Saturday, Kerry expected around 500 people and on the day of the event 19 "heroes" were honored at the buddy walk.

"I am amazed," she said. "It's so great the response from everybody and how many people we've got here. It's just awesome."

Grant County prosecutor Angus Lee was on hand to announce the teams before the walk began.

The local down syndrome society contacted Lee to honor their heroes because they believed he was a local hero for his service overseas and the work he does in the prosecutor's office.

"To have the community support from civic leaders is huge and it shows me that they're really in support of the special needs community," Kerry said.

The walk route was expanded this year to include downtown Moses Lake. Kerry felt that visibility in the community helped raise awareness and support for the society's cause.

"Going through town was pretty neat," she said. "We had people waving and honking and I think it brought more awareness to the community to walk through town like that."

Upon returning from the walk, the heroes were honored on stage and the dancing continued. Those in attendance could also make crafts at nearby stations.

Kerry was happy with the turnout and hopes the buddy walk continues to grow.

The Down Syndrome Society of Grant County expects to become an official nonprofit by the end of the year, increasing the opportunities for outreach programs.

Programs that are necessary to help assimilate those afflicted with Down syndrome or those with a family member diagnosed with the Down syndrome.

"I feel that it brings us together as a community in support of a cause that's worthy," Kerry said. "The Down syndrome population needs our support. They need the support of the community, they need to know that we're there for them, we're willing to give them jobs, to help them and any accommodations that they need and to be supportive in general and that they have so much to give to us that we benefit more than they do actually."