We're excited to come together to participate in 2026 DSNMC Step UP for Down Syndrome Walk, a fundraiser supporting Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County, MD. Our collective passion for this cause drives us, and we need your support to make a difference! Every donation—big or small—helps us reach our fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause.

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. Every dollar counts!
• Spread the Word: Share our fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!
• Join Our Team! Register for the Walk and come celebrate with us on October 24!

Thank you so much for your support! We couldn’t do this without you!

Dear Family and Friends,

If you know Joshua, you know that he has a way of changing a room just by walking into it.His smile. His laughter. His determination. His ability to find joy in the smallest things.

But you may not always see everything that happens behind that smile—the extra work, the advocacy, the navigating of systems, the challenges, and the countless moments when we have had to ask, “How do we make sure Joshua has the same opportunities as everyone else?”

That is why the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County (DSNMC) means so much to our family.DSNMC has been there for us—not simply with information and resources, but with something every family needs: a community that understands.A community that celebrates our children for who they are while also standing beside us when we need to fight for what they deserve.

This year, Manuel, Joshua, and I are participating in the annual Step Up Walk, and we’re asking you to walk with us in another way: by supporting Joshua with a donation.Our connection to DSNMC is deeply personal. Manuel serves on the Board and chairs the Finance Committee. I co-chair the Education Committee, where I work with families and advocate for children with Down syndrome and their educational opportunities.

We do this because we believe deeply in Joshua—and in a future where children like him are given every opportunity to learn, grow, participate, and thrive.Every step we take and every dollar we raise helps build that future. It supports programs, advocacy, education, and resources that make a real difference for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

If you are able, we would be so grateful for your support of Joshua’s team. No donation is too small, and every contribution helps. More than anything, your support reminds us that we are not walking this journey alone.

Thank you for believing in Joshua, for cheering him on, and for being part of our lives. We are incredibly grateful for your love, friendship, and support.

With love and appreciation,

Manuel, Kalani & Joshua ❤️