Hi guys, you know what time it is—our annual DSAJ Buddy Walk!! We're so excited to come together to participate in DSAJ's 23rd Annual Buddy Walk, a fundraiser supporting the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville. Some of you may not know me, but let me introduce myself. Hi, my name is Mariyah. I am team captain for the 3rd year in a row now, and I'm so excited to kick off our Buddy Walk at Jax Beach. My family and I will be walking in honor of my late baby brother Micah. We are gathering up a team together, which you guys can be a part of, to support the Down Syndrome Association. This will be our 4th year raising money and doing this fundraiser for the DSAJ. In the past 2 years we were able to raise over $8,500 in support of the Down Syndrome Association. 

 I wanted to share with you all why I walk, and my family as well, and our story behind the Buddy Walk for the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville. My brother Micah was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, and that forever changed our lives for the better. Some may say that having a child or sibling with Down syndrome is challenging, sometimes difficult, but I beg to differ. Micah truly changed my life and my family’s lives for the better. Sadly to say, Micah passed away on November 22nd of 2019, at 6 years old. I am thankful and blessed that God gave me and my family such a beautiful little boy that was the true example of LOVE and JOY. He is the reason why I am who I am today and why I’m so involved and invested in helping others with Down syndrome and giving back to the DSAJ community. Micah taught me about patience, kindness, unconditional love, and to always smile in adversity.

Crazy to think a little 6-year-old boy with Down Syndrome could teach me and my family all of this without being able to talk as much. Through his smile and actions, this little boy changed our world. The day he was born, people would say and tell me that, “He would need you so much in his life to get to where he needs to be.” But they were wrong; I needed him more than he needed me. God knew what I and my family needed in our lives to change us all and set us apart from others. And God sent down the most precious blessing I could have ever received in this lifetime, my sweet brother Micah.

So, why do we do the Buddy Walk every year? Why are we so passionate about Down syndrome awareness? Why do we advocate for individuals with Down syndrome? Why do we want to give back our time to such a great community of people? Well, because my brother Micah is our WHY and our reasoning behind all that we do in this lifetime. This is our #WhyIWalk story.

How can you be a part of this amazing opportunity? Well, any amount helps. $5, $10, $20!! It’s all worth it!! As of now, we do have a goal set in place. So we’re leaving it all in God’s hands!!

Come out and join us on Oct. 18th, 2025! With every registration, you get a free t-shirt with our team logo and all of our sponsors. And, if you can't attend the event that day, you can still donate under Micah's Warriors in support of DSAJ.

So what are you waiting for? JOIN our team, Micah’s Warriors, and be a part of such a fun family event located at Jacksonville Beach (Seawalk Pavilion).

(For tax purposes, make sure you save your receipt for charity donations.)