Down Syndrome of Louisville Encourages Community to Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day
The nonprofit is teaming up with local businesses for a weekend-long celebration. To see the complete calendar of events for DSL’s World Down Syndrome Day celebration, see below.
Louisville, Ky. (March 15, 2023) – Down Syndrome of Louisville (DSL) is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) with several activities and opportunities for local businesses to get involved leading up to WDSD on Tuesday, March 21. WDSD signifies the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome. Support from these events will raise awareness of Down syndrome and benefit DSL, which serves 24 counties in Kentucky and southern Indiana.
“We are calling on the public to support DSL and our local Down syndrome community members with a weekend of fun events,” said Julie Torzewski, Executive Director with Down Syndrome of Louisville. “Additionally, we’re encouraging local businesses to pledge their support and partner with us as we raise awareness of Down syndrome and raise funds to help DSL continue supporting, educating and advocating for individuals with Down syndrome.
Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19
This year’s weekend-long event kicks off on Saturday, March 18, with an all-day “Eat & Shop” event at local businesses, including Union Restaurant & Gameyard in Jeffersonville, Wine Shop in New Albany and participating Penn Station locations throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana. Additionally, DSL will host a dance party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a live DJ and DSL booth on the Indiana side of the Big Four Bridge. The night will end with the Big Four Bridge lighting up for Down syndrome awareness at 8 p.m.
From noon until 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, community members can receive a Down syndrome awareness tattoo, including “The Lucky Few” tattoo, from LiveinK Tattoo and Piercing in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Individuals with Down syndrome will also receive complimentary tattoos during this event. “The Lucky Few” tattoo was started in 2017 by a group of mothers who received matching tattoos in honor of their children with Down syndrome, and it became a global movement. Now, the three arrows are recognized by anyone in the Down syndrome community and symbolize how lucky people are to know and love someone with Down syndrome.
Tuesday, March 21
On World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday, March 21, DSL will host a car cruise and benefit night at Bubba’s 33 in Clarksville, Indiana. At 7 p.m., there will be a performance by the Boogie Down Crew.
“We look forward to celebrating World Down Syndrome Day every March,” said Tim Curtis, Development Director with Down Syndrome of Louisville. “This is always a special time for community members to come together to support and celebrate Down syndrome individuals and their independence. We are extremely grateful to all generous local businesses and supporters who help us raise awareness and funds in honor of this special observance.”
Support From Local Businesses
Local businesses looking to support DSL are encouraged to donate a portion of sales on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, to the nonprofit organization or provide a special offer to any customer wearing blue and yellow or with a “Lucky Few” tattoo. To help raise awareness of Down syndrome, the nonprofit is also calling on local businesses to tag DSL on social media with photos of their team members wearing blue and yellow or rocking their “crazy socks.”
To see the complete calendar of events for DSL’s World Down Syndrome Day celebration, see below.
###
About Down Syndrome of Louisville: Down Syndrome of Louisville provides developmental and educational programs for individuals with Down syndrome throughout their entire life span. DSL’s Lifelong Learning Center is the first and only of its kind in the nation. Program excellence earned DSL the prestigious Gold Certificate of Accreditation from Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action. To learn more, visit www.dsoflou.org.
…
Follow & Share on:
