Tara-Marie Hall, logistics chair for the southern Manitoba Best Buddies Friendship Walk, says the event highlights the work of Best Buddies Canada, a national non-profit dedicated to breaking down social, physical, and economic isolation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Best Buddies Canada is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation faced by over 200 million people worldwide living with ID,” notes Hall. “And ID includes things like Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, things like that.”
She explains the organization runs programs in schools by pairing individuals with disabilities with those without, creating opportunities for friendships and shared activities.
“Their motto is everybody needs a friend,” says Hall. “And I can tell you from having a son with autism, that's a huge struggle. So this organization does absolutely wonderful work.”
First year in southern Manitoba
This marks the first year the Friendship Walk has been held in southern Manitoba.
“This is the first year for southern Manitoba,” adds Hall.
Although attendance is not confirmed, she expects strong participation.
“Hopefully lots. I don’t have a number quite yet, but hopefully lots,” continues Hall. “We’ve had lots of interest in it, so we’re expecting a good-sized crowd.”
The walk is scheduled for September 6 at Island Park in Portage la Prairie from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“People can register and they can form teams if they want, or they can just register by themselves, or they can actually just register once they get to the walk,” says Hall. “We’re trying to have fun with it. A lot of people are dressing up, bringing things like bubbles, just having fun with it.”
Celebration after the walk
Festivities will follow the walk with music, performances, and activities.
“After the opening ceremonies and the walk takes place, we sort of have a celebration,” notes Hall. “It’s going to be hosted by DJ Dirt and it’s going to be a celebration bubble dance, which sounds like so much fun.”
The lineup includes Take the Great, an autistic performer Hall describes as both talented and kind. Food, games, and prizes will round out the day.
“We want to just take a minute to thank our sponsors: KF Aerospace Defence Programs, Simplot, Hill's Drug Store, Stride Credit Union, Shades of Balloons, Homestead Co-op, Chicken Chef, Hush, and Michaels,” adds Hall. “In partner with our two local ambassadors, we also have Austin’s safe person, Jace Hunter, who is sort of the official buddy of the walk as well.”
Voices from ambassadors
Ambassador Austin Hunter says he is looking forward to the fun.
“It’s based when there’s a bubble machine, they dance to the bubbles and usually the bubbles pop when they go on the ground or grass,” says Hunter, describing the bubble dance.
Fellow ambassador Dylan Wilson adds simply, “It’s going to be a special day.”
Community support and inclusivity
Paulette Connery, honorary colonel with 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, says the walk is supported by local teams and major sponsors such as KF Aerospace.
“I’m very excited for this walk,” notes Connery. “We have a little bit of a challenge between the flying school and KF Aero. We formed the A-Team. KF Aero in Southport is a big sponsor of this, so we’re very excited they have sponsored and we’re all looking forward.”
She stresses the importance of inclusion.
“We’re all just people,” says Connery. “And there should be no shame, and I shouldn’t say shame, but no pointing fingers or not knowing how to react around people that have disabilities or are trying their best. Having an autistic grandson as well, I know what it’s like. People, you get different looks when you’re with them. So this way it brings people to see that everybody’s just the same and let’s help out.”
A family’s commitment
Dylan’s father, Dave Wilson, says his family will be there to support the walk even at the cost of missing their beloved football game.
“We thank Tara-Marie. She’s worked really hard at putting this together,” says Wilson. “Dylan was extremely nervous this morning, but I know he’s looking forward to it. We’re huge Blue Bomber fans and we’re going to pass on the Banjo Bowl this year to make sure we’re at the walk, so it’s a special day. They're special people, they’re part of our community and I think it’s important. I always like to say we have so much we can learn from these people. The way they live their lives, there’s a lot that we can learn from them.”
Groups can come in teams and dress up in a theme. An ambassador will pick the best themed group!
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