On
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016
the Down Syndrome Association of WI will have its
20th 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!

This spring my family and I went to Florida.  The condo we rented had a pool behind it and we got to go swimming every day and even at night!  We went to Legoland and I rode all the roller coasters.  We went to Gatorland and zip lined over the gators.  I love doing that.  We went to the Magic Kingdom and I got to meet Elsa and Anna.  I also rode the Space Mountain ride, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Thunder Mountain ride and the Splash Mountain ride.  My daddy calls my sister Logan and I his Danger Girls because we love to ride roller coasters.  Seeing all of the Harry Potter rides at Universal Studios was also a lot of fun.  My daddy read us all the books so it was fun to see things “come to life”.

I just turned 9 in July and for my birthday I had a party at Racine Gymnastics with my friends from school and my other Special Friend Ivy.  She is the same age as I am and she also has Down Syndrome.  It was great seeing my friends from school during the summer and having them meet Ivy also.  We all had lots of fun.

 I also got to celebrate with the Green Bay side of my family in Door County again this year.  We all went to the beach at Nicolet Bay in the Peninsula State Park and swam.  We love to swim and we try to do it every day.  I also love to get Rainbow Sherbet at Wilsons or shaved ice drinks at Malibu Moo.  We play mini golf, ride go-karts, go to the outdoor theater and just have fun with my cousins.  

The rest of the summer was jam packed with play!   I enjoy running, playing and following my brother and sister around. We all play on the swing set, play in our new above ground pool or my little bouncy house and have fun with our two dogs.  

I have also been going to my tutor over the summer.  I want to be ready for when school starts.  When school starts, which is quickly coming up, I’ll be going into the 3rd grade.   I’m very excited about it, but also a little nervous.  Mommy and daddy take me to school one day 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 is located at 11709 W Cleveland Ave, Suite 2, West Allis, WI  53227  (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.

Please join us on Sunday, September 25th at the Milwaukee County Zoo and run/walk with us 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!

To join our team simply click Join 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.