The 8th annual Under the Big Sky Buddy Walk is 11 a.m. on Saturday at the University of Providence, 1301 20th St. S.

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the primary goal of the Buddy Walk is to promote the awareness and acceptance of people with Down syndrome. Families and friends whose lives have been touched by Down syndrome will join members of our community in helping to raise awareness concerning the abilities people with Down syndrome possess.

During Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, commissioners presented Joan and Jared Redeen with a proclamation for Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Since 1995, the Buddy Walk has become the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome in the U.S. It is also the world’s most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community.

The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 250 walks held in 2016. Nearly $14 million dollars was raised in 2015 to benefit local programs and services, as well as the national advocacy and public awareness initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

All are welcome to join the Buddy Walk.

Major supports of this year’s Big Sky Buddy Walk include the University of Providence, Special Olympics Montana and Easter Seals Goodwill.