Dr. Emily Hoeh took 13 students from the College of Education to volunteer at the Buddy Walk on Saturday afternoon, October 7th promoting civic responsibility. The COE community service responsibilities at the Buddy Walk was helping with kids activities during the tailgate party.  The volunteer group walked  in support of the participants to the Raymond James Stadium football field.  It was a productive and engaging experience for the pre-service teachers who were troopers, despite the heat.

Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.  Volunteering increases self-confidence and the more we give, the happier we feel. Doing good for others provides a natural sense of accomplishment.  Volunteering allows students to get involved with new things and develop technical, social, and academic skills that couldn’t be learned in a classroom environment.   These are important  skills for students training to be teachers.

Some of the Buddy Walk Day’s Events

The pre-service teachers helped with some of the fun events like: 4-Way Power Bungee Jump, 2 Hamster Balls, a Bungee Run Obstacle Course, a 15 ft. Slide Giant slide, and 4-in-1 Combo Bouncer. There was dancing, face painting, food, prizes, firetrucks, superheroes and princesses, pirates, balloon animals and much more!  Something for everyone to enjoy!

The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.  The Buddy Walk is open to all participants of all ages and abilities.  Each location has places to sit, relax and watch if you cannot walk the distance.  It has grown form 17 walks in 1995 to over 250 in 2017.