History of the NDSS Buddy Walk:

Over the last sixteen years, the Buddy Walk® has not only become the premier advocacy event for Down syndrome, but also the world's most widely recognized public awareness program for the Down syndrome community.

Here are some milestones to show how the program has grown:

1995

The Buddy Walk program was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
17 events take place across the country during the inaugural year of the Buddy Walk.
Chris Burke leads the flagship New York City Buddy Walk.

The premiere advocacy event for Down syndrome is off to a great start!

1999

NDSS introduces the Times Square Video to bring attention to the Buddy Walk program and raise acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome.
The Buddy Walk adds a fundraising component to raise money for local and national programs and services.

2001

NDSS introduces a new Buddy Walk logo—the now familiar blue and yellow graphic with a family holding hands.
A Wal-Mart commercial featuring footage of the Buddy Walk in Colorado Springs, CO airs and is instrumental in the growth of the Buddy Walk program.
Over 100 Buddy Walk events take place this year.

2002

John C. McGinley joined NDSS as National Buddy Walk® Spokesman and since then has continued to generate national visibility for NDSS. Since then he has participated in countless PSA's to promote positive public awareness for people with Down syndrome and most recently became the NDSS Ambassador in the My Great Story campaign.
The first BuddyWalk.org site is launched.
The first comprehensive Buddy Walk Manual for walk organizers is distributed.

2003

NDSS further demonstrates its support for the growing Buddy Walk program by designating it as one of the Society's five key strategic initiatives for the coming years and hiring a National Buddy Walk Coordinator to oversee the direction of the program and assist local organizers.
The Buddy Walk logo is trademarked by NDSS.
More than 190 Buddy Walk events take place in 49 states and 5 countries with over 180,000 participants raising more than $2.5 million.

2004

BuddyWalk.org is re-launched with new tools and features for Walkers and organizers.
More than 210 Buddy Walk events take place with over 200,000 participants raising more than $4.5 million.

2005
NDSS celebrates 10 years of the Buddy Walk!

More than 260 Buddy Walk events take place with over 200,000 participants raising more than $5.5 million.
Since the Buddy Walk was established in 1995, over 1,500,000 people have participated in a Buddy Walk worldwide.

2007

More than 270 Buddy Walk events take place with approximately 250,000 participants raising more than $9.5 million dollars, a 46.2% increase from 2006.
Since the Buddy Walk was created in 1995, over 2,000,000 people have participated in a Buddy Walk worldwide.

2008

The Buddy Walk program welcomed its first regional and national partners: Regal Entertainment Group, Knology and the American Physical Therapy Association, Section on Pediatrics.
The Buddy Walk Public Service Announcement was played nationwide at all Regal Cinemas before every movie for two weeks to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the National Buddy Walk program.
More than 275 Buddy Walk events take place with over 250,000 participants raising more than $10.5 million.
The Buddy Walk was ranked in the top 30 fundraising events nationwide for: money raised, revenue increase, and best series event.

Source: 2008 Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council Survey Results

2009

NDSS held the first National Buddy Walk conference in Columbus, Ohio where Buddy Walk organizers were able to learn from NDSS leadership and share best practices with one another.
NDSS introduced a new licensing agreement that commits Buddy Walk groups to a 7% contribution that supports the NDSS National Policy Center in Washington D.C.
The first Buddy Walk held on a military base in a combat zone took place at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan.

(information from buddywalk.org)