Supporters walk it out downtown

Neighborhoods surrounding the Delaney Park Strip have been getting a lot of traffic lately. On Saturday, September 18, two major organizations celebrated their individual walks early in the morning. The American Heart Association held their annual Heart Walk at the east-end of the Delaney Park Strip while the National Down Syndrome Society held their Buddy Walk at the west-end of the park. Gloomy weather and low clouds which formulated light fog in the morning didn't stop these participants from supporting their loved ones.

Festivities for members who participated in the Heart Walk started at 9 a.m with the actual walk beginning promptly at 10. Advocates from the American Heart Association promoted individuals and encouraged all attendees to lead healthier lifestyles while raising dollars needed to life-saving research. Posters attached to the back of walkers signified those in remembrance who suffered heart-related illnesses.

The Buddy Walk, which started one-hour later at 11 a.m, had supporters in bright neon green shirts that were not hard to miss. Celebrating its 14th year in Anchorage, the event was designed to spread awareness about Down syndrome. The walk being its sole fund raiser for the year focuses on promoting knowledge to the community about the organization and persons with Down syndrome, versus collecting donations. It was encouraged for a team of "buddies" to form representing someone with Down syndrome that came up with the exact name of this event.