Thanks for visiting our Team Kirkland Eagles page!  In our membership, we have both this year's Down Syndrome Community of Puget Sound (DSC) "Buddy Walk" Co-Chairs Dawn Jeske and PWP Rochelle Nelson Haberl.  This year's 25th anniversary event is hybrid, with options to do a virtual walk -or- to participate in-person at downtown Bellevue Park, held on October 10th.

DSC is an organization that means a lot to us and our personal communities in Kirkland.  Dawn and her family welcomed Ava 12 years ago, and shortly after birth, she was diagnosed with markers commonly known as Down syndrome.  The DSC organization has been a critical resource of support for families of Down syndrome individuals, with programs ranging from first diagnosis call, to preparing for school and adolescence.  As a longtime Kirkland resident and friend of Dawn's, Rochelle has been along to witness the journey of support from DSC for the Jeskes'.  In 2016, an LW high school classmate of Rochelle's, gym owner Marisa Manke of "Happy Hour by Marisa" in Kirkland, welcomed now 5 year old Xavier with a similar diagnosis.  What a blessing Xavier has been to this hometown of Kirkland, and if you've ever been a part of Marisa's inspiring gym community, you certainly know the bundle of joy that is Xavier!  The "blessed chaos" that comes with all of the special experiences for Xavier is shared with the strong and supportive Kirkland gym community provided by Marisa.  It was through her gym that Rochelle first walked in the DSC "Buddy Walk."

Please help us reach our fundraising goal by contributing to Down Syndrome Community of Puget Sound (DSC).  The DSC's mission is to provide impactful programs and resources for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, while evolving perceptions in the broader community for inclusion, acceptance and respect.   Funds raised at the Puget Sound Buddy Walk® allow them to continue to offer their many programs, events, and initiatives, and to add more to meet the needs of their members. 

Thanks for supporting an organization that is important to us!

Dawn Jeske and Rochelle Nelson Haberl