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Post by Alice on Sept 15, 2008 14:11:47 GMT -5
We are not going on Buddy walk this year... Buddy walk is a good thing, but I do not understand why we are collecting thousands of money and where they go. I know for sure our kids with DS do not have any benefits of that collections. In our Columbus area one year $200k was stolen by the person who hold that money. We all got "sorry" letter, but she was never punished for her theft. She never returned the stollen money. Other years they just divided collected money between close to chair person parents for their other children's scholarship. Kids with Down syndrome have NO benefits from the collected money. So, why we just go on Buddy walk and do not ask people for their generous donation? We are not going this year and I told all people I have know do not donate any money to Down syndrome organizations in Central Ohio. I do not what Down Syndrome organization use my son's disability to collect money for somebody's other than DS people's needs! Do your organizations let you know how they spend donated money? Do you kids have any benefits of that?
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Post by Jessie on Sept 15, 2008 14:28:14 GMT -5
Alice,
Wow, I'm sorry to hear the experience in your area has not been a good one!!
Our Buddy Walk funds are split up by 25% going to the NDSS (we are an affliate and have an obligation to donate money) for research, etc. We are a small group and have very little in the way of expenses, so I can safely say that almost the balance of the remaining 75% goes back to our kids. We pay for therapies, conference fees for parents/families, sponsor fun activities for everyone, and have a gift basket for new families, plus the expense of putting on the Buddy Walk itself.
Jessie
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Post by Alice on Sept 15, 2008 14:36:49 GMT -5
Jessie, I guess, this is the way it should be! This is great and right way to use Buddy walk! Thanks for your feedback!
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Post by elizabethsmom on Sept 16, 2008 12:05:18 GMT -5
I'm sorry you have had a bad experience. I know our money is divided with 25% going to NDSS and the remaining to our group. (This year, being a new group, much is going to offset our start up costs and the Buddy Walk itself.) But, because we are so small, most of ours goes back into our group also. I do know it doesn't go to the chair (that would be me, and I have NO money! hahaha). Your group sounds like it needs some work.
Sheryl
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Post by squeak on Sept 17, 2008 20:41:27 GMT -5
I'd like to offer an alternative and accurate comment regarding the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio and its annual Buddy Walk. As with other affiliates, a similar percentage of Buddy Walk proceeds is donated to NDSS from the central Ohio event. Remaining net proceeds are used to fund operations and programming which directly benefits individuals and families in our communities. This includes new parent meetings, representative age group activities, educational conferences, etc. Recent new programs include an adult mini-conference offering classes on safety, cooking, photography and many other topics. In addition, this year, the organization hosted a "Lose the Training Wheels" program which provides assistance to children and young adults in learning how to ride a bicycle. Surveys from this program were incredibly positive and the self-confidence gained by learning to do this independent activity was tremendous. With regard to the embezzlement, the person who committed the crime was prosecuted. She pleaded guilty to embezzlement (felony) and was sentenced to four years in prison. She is currently making payments back to the organization. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for organizations heavily reliant upon volunteers to experience instances of theft, but the organization learned from this devastating situation, has significantly improved its internal controls including engaging an accounting firm for annual independent audits. So, while I respect Alice's decision to not attend the Buddy Walk as a result of her personal views, her commentary on the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio organization is simply not accurate. My family will be attending the Buddy Walk along with 3,000 other individuals in the central Ohio community that have registered on-line to date and we are looking forward to a wonderful day!
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Post by advocate4myself on Sept 18, 2008 20:04:17 GMT -5
Our group started out small and has grown. In the beginning, I don't believe we had a Buddy Walk but I may be wrong since I did not know about our group then. I stumbled onto their website one day while surfing the Internet. Later Jackie invited or told me about their meeting's and I went. I believe the Buddy Walk is very instrumental in educating people about Down syndrome. Some people would not know even the basic information without stumbling across the Buddy Walk where I live. The media comes and interviews some parents, volunteers and adult's with Down syndrome. Our money is divided. We dnoate some of it the NDSS, fundraiser such as the Buddy Walk, education such as Parent Packet's for those that come in to Doctor's offices to their appointments. We also use the money for a lending library of collection of books about Down syndrome and for the parents. We also use the money for those in need in our group who are sick or have a child who is really sick. We have our business meetings as well to decide on how the money is to be used...............Debbie
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