Join Us for the 17th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk!
We're thrilled to invite you to DSAW–Fox Cities' 17th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk, happening Saturday, October 3rd at Town Center Park in Grand Chute!
We're excited to return for our third year at this beautiful venue. While it's a newer location for us, the success of the last two years proved it's the perfect place to celebrate inclusion, connection, and community. You can expect the same fun, family-friendly experience, with even more opportunities to connect, celebrate, and make memories.
Because of You, We're Building Something Extraordinary
This year marks one of the most significant milestones in DSAW–Fox Cities history. Thanks to the generosity of our Walk participants, donors, sponsors, and supporters, we were able to purchase and move into our first permanent home.
This dedicated space allows us to expand programming, provide a welcoming gathering place for families, create opportunities for connection and learning, and ensure DSAW has a lasting presence in our community for years to come.
And that's just the beginning.
Because of YOU, We’re Making a Difference
In 2025, your support also helped us:
- Host numerous free and low-cost family events
- Provide more than 850 hours of direct services
- Welcome 40 participants to in-person group programs
- Host the Extraordinary Adventures Summer Camp
- Deliver support to new and expectant parents
- Provide grant assistance to families throughout the Fox Cities area
- Connect individuals and families to resources, education, and community
Every dollar raised through the Awareness Walk stays right here in the Fox Cities community, helping us create opportunities, provide support, and build a more inclusive future for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This Walk is the heartbeat of our organization, funding the majority of our programs and services year-round. Your participation directly empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families across the Fox Cities.
Event Schedule
10:25 a.m. – Shuttle buses begin service from Appleton Alliance East parking lot
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Event check-in & on-site registration
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch service (hot dog or Uncrustable®, chips, banana, fruit snacks, and water)
All Day – Free activities and entertainment for registered participants
2:00 p.m. – Walk kick-off and announcement of top fundraising teams
(1-mile, non-competitive walk on a paved trail)
2:30 p.m. – Raffle winners announced and posted
(Must be present for bucket raffle prizes; not required for larger drawings.)
Walk With Us
Whether you're joining us for the first time or returning for another year, your participation makes a difference. Together, we're creating opportunities, building community, and ensuring individuals with Down syndrome have the support they need to thrive.
Lace up your shoes, gather your family and friends, and help make the 17th Annual Awareness Walk our biggest and most impactful yet.
Together, we're building a more inclusive world—one step at a time. ❤️??
Registration Information
T-Shirt Deadline:
Register by Friday, September 4th to guarantee your official Walk T-shirt.
Online Registration:
Closes - Friday, October 2nd at 9:00 AM T-shirts not guaranteed for late registrants.
What’s Included with Registration:
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Full access to all event activities
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Entry in the Annual Awareness Walk
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Official Walk T-shirt (if registered by September 4th)
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Access to the Family Festival featuring:
Bounce slide, yard games, rock climbing wall, petting zoo, train rides, DJ, and more -
Lunch for all registered attendees
Event Costs:
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Walk Participant: $15 / $18 (based on shirt size)
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Children 2 & under: Free
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Individuals with Down syndrome: Free
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Day-of Registration: Available on-site: $20 (T-shirt not guaranteed)
No Team? No Problem!
Register as a solo walker and enjoy the full event experience—we’re excited to have you!
Community Resource Table Request
Would you like to host a resource table at the DSAW Annual Awareness Walk?
Click HERE to request a table for your business or organization!
Resource tables are reserved for community partners whose services or products support DSAW participants and families. Space is limited and tables will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is free, it includes a table, 2 chairs, lunch tickets for up to 2 people per business/organization under a large tent. Set-up to be completed by 10:15am day of the walk.
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Click below to sign up as a Volunteer
VolunteerClick below for sponsor information
Become a SponsorOur Sponsors
There are no sponsors for this campaign.
Raffle Basket Donations
Seeking donations for the basket raffle, we need your help to make it a success! Your generosity has been instrumental in creating amazing raffle prizes year after year. Here are a few donation ideas:
- Handmade items: From home decor to jewelry, anything crafted by you, family, or friends.
- Gift cards: Always a crowd-pleaser for restaurants, movies, stores, and more.
- Themed gift baskets: Encourage family and friends to contribute items for themes like coffee lovers, game night, or spa day.
- Tickets to shows, sports games, concerts, and more.
We are also in need of any baskets, bags, or boxes for packaging donations. We are happy to take single items and combine them with like items to create a basket, all donations are welcome!
If you have sporting event tickets; Packer, Badger, Brewer, or Bucks games to donate, they're highly sought after and appreciated!
Remember, all donations are tax deductible.
Click HERE to fill out the raffle donation form.
AMAZON WISH LIST
We’ve created an Amazon Wish List to help support our Fox Cities Awareness Walk raffle baskets!
Many people have shared that they’d love to contribute but don’t have the time or resources to put together an entire basket so we wanted to offer an easy way to help. With over 200 items that can be combined into fun and creative raffle baskets, there are items available for nearly every budget.
Most items range from $10–$30, with some as low as $5. Simply purchase an item from the list, and it will be shipped directly to the DSAW–Fox Cities office, where our amazing volunteers will transform these donations into incredible raffle baskets for walk day.
Every item makes a difference, and we are so grateful for your support!
Fundraising Incentives
We will be utilizing a tiered system of incentives, these are cumulative incentives, you will earn each incentive as your team total continues to grow. Physical incentives will be available for pick-up at the walk when you check in at registration.
Every team raising $1500 or more will earn a yard sign. Once your team reaches $1,500 (or beyond!), please email a photo of your loved one to dsawfoxcities@dsaw.org with “Yard Sign” in the subject line. Deadline to reach this goal is Sunday, September 20th.
Every team* raising $2500 or more will be entered to win their very own walk billboard ahead of the 2027 walk. We will draw the winner live prior to the walk kickoff at 2:00PM on October 3rd.
Every team raising $5000 or more will have their loved one in a combined photo on a billboard leading up to WDSD.
Please see graphic for all available incentives!
*$10,000 teams excluded
REMINDER!
- The cut-off for donations that qualify for the Top Fundraising Prizes is 10 PM on Friday, October 2nd
- All cash and check donations must arrive at the DSAW Fox Cities office (226 W. Wisconsin Ave., Appleton) by noon on Friday, October 2nd to qualify.
Donor Leaderboard
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1 Facebook Donor $102.53
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2 Stacy Peapenburg $87.00
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3 Facebook Donor $51.52
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4 Facebook Donor $26.01
About DSAW-Fox Cities
The vision of the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin - Fox Cities (DSAW-FC) is that we all understand the value of those with Down syndrome in our lives and our communities. We continually strive for full acceptance, full access, full life and full potential. Check out our website.
We are a chapter of: The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin
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.