On
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
the Down Syndrome Association of WI will have its
30th 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 busy year I have had!

The last time I told a little about myself I was starting the 12^th grade in high school.  This year I graduated from Racine Horlick High School.  I will be participating in the RUSD Transition Program which will give me work experience in our community.  I attended the Senior Prom with all of my friends.  I continue to have a good group of friends at school as well as those that graduated last year.  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, a Cornhole Team and a Bowling Team for the Special Olympics this past year.  After my graduation, my family took a trip to celebrate.  We visited The Mammoth Cave in KY.  My older sister and I got to interact with a family of sloths in GA.  Then we did the Universal Studios Adventure in FL.  Finally, we visited Gatlinburg in TN.  We all had so much fun.  I turned 19 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 shore line.  I also really love to get Hot Fudge Sundaes at Wilsons.  We played mini golf and just had fun with my family.

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 in our lives and in 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: 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 also join us on Sunday, September 27th, 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!

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.