Buddy Walk of the Berkshires Draws Hundreds

More than 1,200 participants turned out on Saturday, September 22 for the 12th Annual Buddy Walk of the Berkshires, hosted annually by the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group.

BCArc's Katrina Cardillo says many families and friends of Berkshire County Arc returned to participate in the Walk, and there were many new faces supporting a great cause. Speakers included Aaron Robb, principal of Wahconah Regional High School and family member of the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group and Kenneth W. Singer, President and CEO of Berkshire County Arc, along with State Senator Adam Hinds and State Representative Paul Mark. In their remarks they said they continue to be impressed with the level of support and generosity from the Berkshire community, and that they are consistently proud to see the community supporting one another and the great initiatives in the county.

The mile-long Walk was followed by food and refreshments, music from Berkshire Hills Music Academy, a raffle, and various children’s activities such as face painting, balloon animals, hayrides and a photo booth.

Berkshire County Arc is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization providing a broad range of community-based services since 1954. They currently serve around 800 individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries and autism throughout Berkshire and Hampden Counties in Massachusetts.