Hi everyone - Jessica Hoppe here!  Thanks for coming to check out my fundraising page.  I wanted to share with everyone what a busy year I have had!

The last time I told a little about myself I was starting the 11^th grade in high school.  This year I will be a Senior and that will be very exciting.  I was able to participate in many “first time” events for myself that were very fun.  I went to my school’s Homecoming Tailgate Party with my friends.  I was also invited to and attended the Senior Prom.  I continue to have a good group of friends at school.  We play mini golf together, go to movies together and celebrate each other’s B-Day events.  Basically, we are kids enjoying our lives with our family and friends.

I competed on a Bocce Ball Team in the Special Olympics this past summer.  We even got a chance to compete in a tournament in Wisconsin Dells.  Also, this past summer we began having my cousin take some of my Senior Pictures at different locations in Door County.  We plan to do more when the fall colors change up there.  I turned 18 in July and I once again got to celebrate my birthday with the Green Bay side of my family in Door County this year.  We had lots of fun getting to stay in our house with my Green Bay Grandma and my other relatives.  I love going to the beach and taking walks along the shoreline.  I also really love to get Hot Fudge Sundaes at Wilsons.  We played mini golf and just had fun with my family.  I was again able to play on a baseball team this year.  The group is called Koos for Kids.  They have a spot for everyone and everyone gets to play!  My brother, sister, mom and dad even got to help.  I’m not a fan of running, but it is great fun crossing home plate.

Our family has participated in the Awareness Walk every year since I was born!  We want to get the word out that People with Down syndrome are more LIKE everybody else than they are different.  We have feelings, talents and dreams just like everyone.  We deserve to be accepted and appreciated for who we are and what we can and do to contribute in our lives and in our communities.

Please also join us on Sunday, September 28th, at the Milwaukee County Zoo as part of our team.  It's an incredible day of celebration with family, friends, and people who, like you, want to raise awareness, raise funds, and raise the hope of a better world for all people with Down syndrome.  With your support and involvement, our goals of acceptance, inclusion and empowerment will become a reality!

Please consider supporting our team in any way you can. Each donation, no matter how big or small, will support individuals with Down syndrome.

Donating through this website is simple, fast, and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts. You can make your tax-deductible donation online, or if you would prefer, you can send your contribution to the DSAW Office: 1214 Kavanaugh Pl. Wauwatosa, WI 53213 (Just be sure to write our team name on the memo line so that we get credit for the donation!) Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! To sponsor us simply press Donate Now.

To join our team, click Register For This Event.

Many thanks for your support, and PLEASE don't forget to forward this to your own networks and to anyone else who you think might want to donate and register to walk as part of our team.