ndss.org

The NDSS Buddy Walk® is the National Down Syndrome Society's flagship awareness and fundraising event, and the organization's own site highlights an NYC edition that puts 500+ faces of people with Down syndrome on display in Times Square. If you want to participate, donate, or find a walk near you, the event details and registration live on ndss.org — the site lists the NYC Buddy Walk® as a featured event, but it does not publish a full national schedule on the page reviewed here, so you should check the site directly for dates and locations beyond New York.

What the Buddy Walk Is

The Buddy Walk is an NDSS event built around two goals:

• Awareness — celebrating and increasing visibility for individuals with Down syndrome.
• Fundraising — raising money that supports NDSS programs and its mission, stated on the site as "to create a world where individuals with Down syndrome thrive."

It is a community event rather than a competitive race, which is why it centers on participation and visibility rather than times or placements.

The NYC Buddy Walk and Times Square Visibility

According to the NDSS homepage, the National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk® "to Highlight 500+ faces in Times Square." This means the NYC event is used as a high-visibility moment: images of more than 500 individuals with Down syndrome are featured in one of the most heavily trafficked public spaces in the world.

That detail matters for two reasons:

1. Scale of awareness — Times Square placement reaches far beyond the people physically at the walk.
2. Focus on individuals — the "500+ faces" framing keeps the spotlight on people with Down syndrome themselves, consistent with NDSS's stated mission.

Where It Takes Place

The page reviewed confirms the NDSS NYC Buddy Walk® as a named event. Beyond that, the site does not list a complete set of host cities or dates in the content available here.

To find a specific walk:

• Go to ndss.org and look for the Buddy Walk® section or event listings.
• Check the site's newsroom and "All the Latest" area, which is where NDSS posts event-related announcements.
• If you cannot find a local walk, use the contact channels below to ask.

How to Get Involved

Other Ways NDSS Suggests Supporting the Mission

The homepage also describes non-event giving options, which may suit you if a walk is not near you or not at a convenient time:

• Everyday purchases — NDSS partners with Upside, described as a free cash back app that rewards purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. You can choose to donate your earned cash back to NDSS.
• Team NDSS in Paris — NDSS fields a charity team for Paris races, with applications listed for the Hoka Semi De Paris Half Marathon (March 7, 2027) and the Schneider Electric De Paris Full Marathon (April 11, 2027).

Contact and Location Details

• National Down Syndrome Society
• 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 540, Washington, DC 20005
• Toll-free NDSS Helpline: 800-221-4602
• Hours: Mon–Fri, 9AM–5PM ET

If your main question is a specific Buddy Walk date or city, the helpline or the event listings on ndss.org are the most direct ways to confirm it, since the homepage content alone does not carry a full schedule.

You can support the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in several ways that don't require writing a separate check: donating cash-back rewards through the Upside app, joining Team NDSS for a marathon, buying gear from the NDSS Shop, or taking part in a Buddy Walk. Each route has different time, cost, and effort requirements, so the right one depends on whether you want to give money passively, fundraise actively, or show up in person.

Donate everyday cash back through the Upside app

NDSS partners with Upside, described on its site as a free cash back app that rewards you for everyday purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. When you earn cash back through Upside, you can choose to donate those rewards to help individuals with Down syndrome thrive.

How it works:

1. Sign up for Upside and make purchases at participating gas stations, grocery stores, or restaurants.
2. Earn cash back on those purchases.
3. When redeeming your rewards, select NDSS as the recipient of your donation.

What to expect: This is the lowest-effort option because it redirects money you were already spending on routine purchases. The trade-off is that the amount depends entirely on how much you buy through participating merchants, so it's better suited to ongoing, passive support than to hitting a specific fundraising target.

Join Team NDSS for a marathon

NDSS fields a team for marathon events, including races in Paris. The site lists these application windows:

Both are framed as running "to help create a world where individuals with Down syndrome thrive." If you're considering this route, note that it involves travel to Paris, a training commitment for a half or full marathon, and an application process rather than open registration — apply through the links on the NDSS site for the distance you want.

Shop for NDSS gear

The NDSS site includes a Shop section for NDSS Gear. Buying branded merchandise is a straightforward way to support the organization while getting something in return, and it works as a one-time action rather than an ongoing commitment. Check the Shop page directly for current items and any details on how purchases support the mission.

Take part in a Buddy Walk

The NDSS Buddy Walk® is the organization's flagship fundraising and awareness event. The site highlights an NDSS NYC Buddy Walk® and notes that the Buddy Walk® will "highlight 500+ faces in Times Square." Buddy Walks combine fundraising with community visibility, so they suit people who want to participate in person, raise money through a team, and help raise awareness at the same time. Look for a walk near you or the NYC event if you want the highest-visibility option.

Which option fits you

• Want to give with no extra spending or time? Use the Upside app and route your cash back to NDSS.
• Want a physical challenge and a fundraising goal? Apply for Team NDSS in Paris for the half or full marathon.
• Want something simple and tangible? Buy gear from the NDSS Shop.
• Want to fundraise and build community locally? Join or organize around a Buddy Walk.

Other ways to stay connected

NDSS maintains a Newsroom with press releases and policy statements, and its site links to Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok. For direct questions, the NDSS Helpline is toll-free at 800-221-4602, and the office is reachable Monday–Friday, 9AM–5PM ET at 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 540, Washington, DC 20005.

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is a US-based nonprofit whose stated mission is "to create a world where individuals with Down syndrome thrive." Its website, ndss.org, functions as a hub for three kinds of things: information about Down syndrome, direct support channels (including a toll-free helpline), and ways to participate — from advocacy and policy updates to community events and fundraising. If you are a parent, self-advocate, educator, or supporter looking for a starting point, the site's navigation and footer point you to each of these areas.

Information and resources

The site's main navigation includes a Resources section, which is the place to look for general information about Down syndrome. The footer also lists About Down Syndrome as a separate entry, so background and explanatory material is reachable from any page rather than buried.

For current news and organizational positions, the site maintains a Newsroom with a Policy subsection. Recent items shown on the homepage include:

• An NDSS Statement on Texas v. Kennedy (policy)
• "Assume I Can: A Celebration of Artists With Down Syndrome" (press release)
• An announcement that the National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk® will highlight 500+ faces in Times Square (press release)
• "National Down Syndrome Society Launches MinDSet Down Syndrome" (social media)

If you need to know where NDSS stands on an issue or what it has announced recently, the Newsroom and Policy pages are the relevant entry points.

Direct support: the NDSS Helpline

The most concrete support channel listed on the site is the NDSS Helpline:

The site does not describe what the helpline covers or whether any language services are available, so treat it as a general information line and confirm specifics when you call.

Community events and ways to get involved

NDSS runs and promotes participation-based events rather than only publishing information:

• NDSS NYC Buddy Walk® — listed as a homepage heading, with a related press release about highlighting 500+ faces in Times Square.
• Join Team NDSS in Paris — charity marathon entries, with applications open for:
  • Hoka Semi De Paris Half Marathon — March 7, 2027
  • Schneider Electric De Paris Full Marathon — April 11, 2027
• Turn Everyday Purchases into Impact — a partnership with Upside, described as a free cash back app rewarding purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, where earned cash back can be donated to NDSS.

These are participation routes: fundraising, awareness events, and athletic charity entries. Dates and application details are stated on the site; anything about cost, fundraising minimums, or eligibility is not given in the material available here, so check the individual event pages before applying.

Other sections worth knowing

The footer and navigation also point to Work for NDSS, Shop NDSS Gear, Financials, and Privacy Policy, plus social accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok. The Financials page is where to look if you want to review the organization's finances before donating.

How to choose where to start

• Looking for general information about Down syndrome → Resources / About Down Syndrome.
• Need to talk to someone → NDSS Helpline, 800-221-4602, weekdays 9 AM–5 PM ET.
• Tracking advocacy or organizational positions → Newsroom → Policy.
• Want to participate or fundraise → Buddy Walk®, Team NDSS marathon entries, or the Upside donation partnership.
• Evaluating the organization before giving → Financials and the Newsroom.

ndss.org is the official website of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is "to create a world where individuals with Down syndrome thrive." The site serves as a hub for information about Down syndrome, organizational news and policy positions, ways to get involved (events, fundraising, and giving), and a shop for NDSS gear. It also lists a toll-free helpline and a mailing address for direct contact.

What you'll find on the site

The main navigation and homepage content point to several core areas:

• About Down Syndrome — background information on Down syndrome.
• Resources — support and informational materials.
• Newsroom — press releases, policy statements, and organizational news.
• Shop — NDSS-branded gear.
• Get involved — events, fundraising campaigns, and donation programs.

The footer also links to pages on working for NDSS, financials, and the privacy policy.

Events and campaigns

Buddy Walk®

NDSS hosts the NDSS NYC Buddy Walk®, its flagship awareness and fundraising event. The site also notes that the Buddy Walk® is used to highlight 500+ faces in Times Square.

Team NDSS in Paris

NDSS recruits runners for charity marathon teams in Paris, with applications open for:

• Hoka Semi De Paris Half Marathon — March 7, 2027
• Schneider Electric De Paris Full Marathon — April 11, 2027

Everyday giving

NDSS partners with Upside, a free cash back app that rewards purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Users can choose to donate their earned cash back to NDSS.

News and policy

The Newsroom carries press releases and official statements, including a policy statement on Texas v. Kennedy, a feature titled "Assume I Can: A Celebration of Artists With Down Syndrome," and the launch of "MinDSet Down Syndrome." These are the places to check for NDSS's public positions and current announcements.

Contact and support

• Toll-free NDSS Helpline: 800-221-4602
• Phone hours: Monday–Friday, 9AM–5PM ET
• Address: 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 540, Washington, DC 20005
• A contact form is also available on the site.

Who this site is for

ndss.org is useful if you want to learn about Down syndrome, follow NDSS policy and advocacy positions, find support resources, donate or fundraise, register for an NDSS event, or reach the organization directly. The site does not publish pricing for its programs or indicate whether any services require payment or login, so treat those details as unconfirmed unless stated on the specific page you use.

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) can be reached by phone through its toll-free helpline at 800-221-4602, available Monday through Friday, 9AM–5PM ET, or by mail at its Washington, DC office: 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 540, Washington, DC 20005. For written inquiries, the site directs visitors to its Contact us page. NDSS also maintains official accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Contacting NDSS

Phone

The helpline is the number NDSS lists publicly on its site. If you reach out outside the stated weekday window, expect to follow up during the next business-hours period.

Mail

National Down Syndrome Society
1155 15th Street NW
Suite 540
Washington, DC 20005

Online

The site's footer includes a Contact us link for inquiries that aren't handled by phone or mail. Use this route when you need a written record of your message or want to reach a specific department rather than the general helpline.

Following NDSS on Social Media

NDSS lists six official channels in its footer:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• TikTok

These are the accounts NDSS itself links to, so they're the reliable starting point if you want updates on news, events, and campaigns without going through the main website each time.

What You'll Find Beyond Contact Info

The same footer that carries the contact details also links to sections on About Down Syndrome, Work for NDSS, Resources, Shop NDSS Gear, Financials, Newsroom, and the Privacy Policy. If your reason for contacting NDSS is actually to find information, check these sections first — many common questions about Down syndrome resources and organizational policies are answered there without needing to call.

Common Questions

Is the helpline free? It's listed as a toll-free number (800 prefix), so calls within the US aren't charged by NDSS.

Can I visit the DC office? The site publishes the address for correspondence but doesn't state walk-in hours or visitor policies, so call ahead before planning a visit.

Which social platform should I use? All six are official. Pick based on how you prefer to consume updates — for example, YouTube for video content, LinkedIn for organizational and professional news, or Instagram and TikTok for shorter visual posts.

Where do I send a press inquiry? The site separates a Newsroom section from general contact, so route media requests there rather than through the helpline.