Welcome

Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters like you, DSAW made a huge impact in 2024! Together, we delivered 41,168 hours of direct services, awarded 69 enrichment grants to families across Wisconsin, and provided 46 free parent packs to families receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis—and that’s just the beginning (see the graphic below for more!).

We couldn’t do it without our amazing community. Most of DSAW’s programs and events are made possible through the funds raised during our annual Awareness Walk. That’s why we need YOU to keep the momentum going. Be a part of the difference—join us today!

Click here to donate.

Click here to register for this event.

Click here to register for the 21 Showcase

Event Schedule

10:00am   

Registration & Family Festival Begins (inflatables, games, prizes, raffles, and more!)
11:45am Raffle Sales Close

12:00pm

21 Showcase & Awards Ceremony

12:45pm

Time to pick up raffle items and head into the Zoo!
Families are welcome to stay and picnic

General Information

Virtual Walker Registration

If you are unable to attend this event in person or would feel more comfortable celebrating from afar, register as a virtual walker! Registration includes a t-shirt shipped directly to the address you provide (USA only). Virtual Walkers must register by August 31st at 10:00 pm.

Food

This event is held in the picnic areas near the Zoo parking lot. We will have stations of pre-packaged snacks throughout the event for you and your families to enjoy! Feel free to either bring a picnic lunch (there is even a competition for Best Picnic Spread!!) or purchase concessions from the Zoo if you would like. You are welcome to stay and picnic even after the DSAW event ends! We also encourage you to bring a filled reusable water bottle to reduce our impact on the environment.

Please click the Event Details button below for all of the information you need regarding this event!

Event Details

Registration Information

Pre-register online until 12pm CST on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Registration includes day-long entry and full access to the Milwaukee County Zoo, parking, Walk, t-shirt, family festival, and snacks.  

Event Cost:

Walk (ages 13+) $25
Walk (ages 3-12) $20
Walk (ages 0-2) Free
Virtual Walkers $21

 

Register by August 31st at 10:00 pm to be guaranteed a t-shirt on Walk Day. 

All participants will receive a t-shirt, however, we try to order EXACT numbers so that no t-shirts are wasted. We may have a limited quantity of extra t-shirts available on Walk Day for those who register after August 31st or on Walk Day, but this is not guaranteed. If you do not receive a t-shirt on Walk Day, we will order you one after the walk!

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Registration tables will be located near the Maple Cove and Oak Grove picnic areas. Registration will open at 10:00am. T-shirt tables will be located near registration. Please designate ONE PERSON ONLY from your group or team to check in at registration, turn in all money, and pick up t-shirts.

Team Captains may pick up all team t-shirts early on Thursday, September 25th between 9:00AM-6:00PM, or, Friday, September 26, from 9:00AM-12:00PM at the DSAW Gym. You can also pick shirts up on Walk Day.

DSAW Gym is located at 1215 Dewey Ave. Wauwatosa, WI 53213.

EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL: All teams who register by July 1st will be entered into a drawing to win their team name on their team shirts*! Each person who registers increases your chances. (*NOTE: team name will only be placed on individuals' shirts who register by t-shirt deadline of August 31.)

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Volunteers

Volunteer at the Walk

Our Sponsors

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Down Syndrome Awareness Walks Around Wisconsin

This is the event website for our 29th Annual Southeastern WI Down Syndrome Awareness Walk held at the Milwaukee County Zoo, but DSAW hosts Awareness Walks around the state. Click the links for more information on other Down Syndrome Awareness Walks in Wisconsin!

Chippewa Valley 

Fox Cities

Green Bay

La Crosse

South Central

Sheboygan

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Fundraising Prizes Disclaimer

  • The cut-off for donations that qualify for the Top Fundraising Prizes is 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 27th

2025 Walk Incentives:

 

Updated incentives coming soon!

Other Raffles, and Team Contests

Early Bird Raffle: July 1, 2025
Get your name on the back of your team's Walk t-shirts!

Walk Day Team Award: September 28, 2025
These winning teams in these categories will receive generous gift cards!
• Top New Team
• Best Picnic Spread
• Best Team Theme

The 21 Showcase & Awards Ceremony

We will host our 21 Showcase where individuals with Down syndrome of ALL ages will get a chance to walk the catwalk in front of their family and friends. Children who are not yet able to walk on their own can walk with a parent, caregiver, or sibling! Each participant will receive a customized poster to carry down the runway.

Register here for the 21 Showcase (Deadline to sign-up: Monday, September 8).

Donor Leaderboard

  • 1 Country Lanes Bowling Alley $12,418.00
  • 2 Country Lanes Bowling Alley $12,418.00
  • 3 Rockwell Automation Charity Golf Outing $12,000.00
  • 4 Anonymous $10,500.00
  • 5 Tim Tikalsky, The Dentists on Bluemound $4,000.00
  • 6 Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial $2,500.00
  • 7 Dawn Nuoffer $2,106.25
  • 8 Dawn Nuoffer $2,100.00
  • 9 Championing Abilities: AmFam Donation $2,055.00
  • 10 MyChoice $2,000.00
  • 11 Jorge & Julie Aguilar $1,720.00
  • 12 Nicolet National Bank $1,500.00
  • 13 Donna & Kevin Hogan $1,500.00
  • 14 Peyton's 6th Annual Birthday Lemonade Stand $1,383.00
  • 15 Nicholas Industries $1,000.00
  • 16 Anonymous $1,000.00
  • 17 Support Plus Personal Care $1,000.00
  • 18 EPIC Creative $1,000.00
  • 19 The Dodge Family Giving Fund $1,000.00
  • 20 West Bend Wildcats $1,000.00
View Full Leaderboard

About DSAW

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin's mission is to provide support to Wisconsin families and individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and the exchange of ideas and experiences. We promote the value of those with Down syndrome in our lives and our communities. We continually strive toward full acceptance, full access, full potential, and a full life to make Wisconsin the best supported state for people with Down syndrome and their loved ones. Visit our website to learn more.