On
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
the Down Syndrome Association of WI will have its
19th annual Awareness Walk for Down syndrome
at the Milwaukee County Zoo

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

I just turned 8 in July and for my birthday I had a party at Chuck E Cheese with my friends from school.  It was great seeing my friends from school during the summer.

I also got to celebrate with the Green Bay side of my family in Door County again this year.  This year I was going to try horseback riding with my sister Logan.  I was very excited, but when I stood next to the horse he was just toooooo big!  They eventually found me a smaller horse that I was more comfortable with and I rode around the stable with mom at my side.  Some of the fun things we do in Door County are go-karting, mini golf, shopping, riding bikes, watching movies, swimming and playing at the park and beach.  We had a blast, as always.  Whew – I need a vacation from my vacation!

The rest of the summer was jam packed with play and fun!  I got to be part of a t-ball team for the first time.  I learned to hit the ball, run the bases and catch the ball.  I also learned I cannot get the ball every time!  Our team won every game ( and so did the other teams ) and we all got trophies!  One other exciting summer event was I got to go to a summer camp for one week that was for special kids like me!  I had a great time with all the fun and activities.  In my spare time I played with my brother and sister and we all played on the swing set, we played with the hose or on our water slide and had fun with the dogs.  

I have also been going to my tutor over the summer.  I want to be ready for when school starts, which is quickly coming up, I’ll be going into the 2nd grade.  I’ll have my own desk and locker.   I’m very excited about it, but also a little nervous.  Mommy and daddy take me to school during the summer and I get to walk the halls, find my new room and to meet my new teacher.  It is really quiet then and I can concentrate a little more before all the other students show up when school begins.   I’m sure I’ll have a good time learning with my friends.

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 contribute to our lives and our communities.

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, 3211 S. Lake Drive, Suite #113, Saint Francis, WI 53235. (Just be sure to write our team name on the memo line so that we get credit for donation!) Whatever you can give will help - it all adds up! To sponsor us simply press Donate Now.

Please also join us on Sunday, September 27th at the Milwaukee County Zoo and Run, Walk, Roll or Stroll with us as part of your 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!

To join our team simply click Join Our Team!

Many thanks for your support ~ and PLEASE don't forget to forward this to your entire address book and anyone else who you think might want to donate and register to walk as part of our Team.