TORONTO’S 14TH ANNUAL BUDDY WALK
Saturday, May 9, 2026!
About the Buddy Walk®
Developed by the National Down Syndrome Association (NDSS) in 1995, the Buddy Walk® promotes awareness and inclusion for people with Down syndrome. It also aims to raise funds for education, research, advocacy and community-based programs. The Buddy Walk® is the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community.
Join us on the walk to help raise awareness
Register as a team or individual & collect pledges
Sponsor a Team
Sponsor a Participant
YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK . . .
NEW & EXPECTANT PARENT PROGRAM
Provides resources, information and mentoring upon learning of the diagnosis.
40+ IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL EVENTS PER MONTH
Programs for individuals of all ages, including: Sportclusive, Dance Rock, Yoga, Cooking Classes, Holiday & Social events, Support Groups and other social programs.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Workshops, information sessions and guest speakers educate members of our community on a wide variety of topics.
SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
Providing support to over 1000 direct inquiries per year. From new parent inquiries to mental and physical health resources.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Events for parents, guardians and adult caregivers to support one another, share information, resources and advice.
BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Events to support and grow our community on an ongoing basis.
CREATE YOUR TEAM
Gather your family, friends, co-workers and furry friends to join us in support of the Buddy Walk!
DSAT has become aware of individuals falsely representing themselves as working on behalf of DSAT and soliciting donations over the phone.
The Down Syndrome Association (DSAT) has never solicited donations over the phone. If you receive a phone call from any individual soliciting a donation on behalf of DSAT, please do not give out any financial information. We only accept donations through our secure website.
Buddy Walk Fundraising Incentives
- 21 Day Fundraising Challenge
- Buddy Walk Fundraising Challenge
TAKE PART IN OUR BUDDY WALK CHALLENGE
By challenging our community to fundraise, we are able to better provide resources and information to families, supports for educators and healthcare providers and support parents with workshops, advocacy and outreach. Every amount raised impacts a life. As fundraising targets are met, you and your team will earn fun rewards at the Buddy Walk.
Team or Individual Fundraising Prizes
You have the opportunity to receive one of the following rewards for your hard work and determination.
Raises $5,500 in pledges
- $200 Amazon Gift Card
- Apple AirPods 4
- Google Fitbit Charge 6
- Apple TV 4K, 64 GB
Raises $3,000 in pledges
- $150 Amazon Gift Card
- Amazon Fire HD 8” tablet, 64 GB
- Amazon Kindle, 16 GB
- JBL Charge Essential 2 Bluetooth Speaker
Raises $2,000 in pledges
- $100 Amazon Gift Card
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
- Amazon Echo Spot
Raises $1,000 in pledges
- $50 Amazon Gift Card
Please note: A team or individual is only eligible for one reward. Team rewards will be awarded to the team captain.
TAKE PART IN OUR 21 DAY CHALLENGE
By challenging our community to fundraise, we are able to better provide resources and information to families, supports for educators and healthcare providers and support parents with workshops, advocacy and outreach.
Every amount raised impacts a life. As fundraising targets are met, you and your team will earn fun rewards at the Buddy Walk.
21-DAY CONTEST PERIOD
The Contest begins on Saturday, April 18th at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on Friday, May 8th at 12:00 p.m. ET (the “Contest Period”).
PRIZES
There will be prizes awarded each week (April 24 | May 1 | May 8) for our Top Individual Fundraiser.
Please note: Cannot be the same winner each week
VOLUNTEER WITH US
Volunteers are the heart of our community. Give a piece of your heart and become a DSAT volunteer! For a small amount of your time, you can make a BIG difference in someone's life.
OUR 2026 BUDDY WALK SPONSORS
Over the past 13 years, the Buddy Walk has grown significantly, with strong citywide
promotion and meaningful partnerships with corporations and local service providers.
These collaborations have helped raise awareness while offering valued exposure to our
supporters during the event.
If you are interested in sponsorship information contact us: info@dsat.ca
LEAD SPONSOR
THEME SPONSOR
BUDDY SUPPORTER
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
Buddy Walk Location
BUDDY WALK DETAILS
- The Toronto Buddy Walk is location at Woodbine/Ashbridge’s Bay Park, 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The walk is approx 3 km along the Boardwalk Trail – Woodbine Beach Park/Ashbridge’s Bay Park to Kew Gardens Park
- Registration is free and will be held in the Ashbridge’s Bay Picnic Area #2
- T-Shirts will be available for sale onsite (adult, youth, and toddlers sizes)
There are a number of parking options available.
- Line up your sponsors and obtain complete address information
- Try to collect your pledge money beforehand
- Make any cheques payable to The Down Syndrome Association of Toronto
- Advise sponsors that tax receipts will be mailed for pledges of $20.00 or more
BUDDY WALK ITINERARY:
- 9:30am Face Painting
- 10:00 am Registration/Donation Drop-off/T-Shirt Sales
- 10:00 am Team Photos (10 am to 1 pm)
- 10:30 am 10-min Yoga Warm-up by Beach Yoga Centre
- 10:40 am Opening Remarks
- 10:45 am Guest Speakers
- 11:00 am Countdown to Begin the Walk
- 12:00 pm Food and Beverage/Entertainment/Team Photos
- 12:20 pm Draw Prizes
- 12:25 pm Closing Remarks
- 12:30 pm Children’s Entertainment
- 1:00 pm Buddy Walk Ends
