Kyle’s Hero’s Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness was created to support the outstanding work and effort provided by the Association for Children with Down syndrome (ACDS) Early Intervention Services. The walk takes place on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Parent Ty Jimenez said, “It’s simply amazing to watch my precious son Kyle’s amazing progress due to the many dedicated professionals that work with Kyle. My son Kyle is able. He will have dreams to fulfill. The professionals at ACDS are helping to fulfill those dreams so I’m standing with ACDS. Thank you for supporting this amazing organization.”
Kyle has a Facebook page – Kyle’s Heroes, where you can see the 2-year-old. Mr. Jimenez is very grateful for the support services his son has been getting both from Nassau County and ACDS. He said, “They have been at my house since he was a month old. I have a father’s dream to have a child go to school and go on to be a productive citizen. They have taken me from a dark spot and given me hope. I was in the emergency room when he was born. I have a 13-year-old and this was a different experience – to see the birth of a Down syndrome child.
“The mechanisms in place in Nassau County for help is a very good thing, and ACDS is a part of that. It’s a very challenging experience and you have to get past that. Kyle has been a very healthy baby. This morning and at 4 p.m. he will have people here working with him. He doesn’t like it all the time but it is for the greater good.
“You don’t want to say it, but they are at a disadvantage and you have to work through it. The people who work with him show a mother’s love – it is that kind of love and they ought to be commended and supported,” he said.
Mr. Jimenez is the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company’s 1st assistant chief. He said, “The walk starts by the new water rescue facility at TR Park. A lot of bad things happen on the water and we have the people who want to help others, when it does. We live here and we take pride in our community, and that is why we do it free – volunteer as firemen.”
He said, “There will be no parking lot at the new water rescue building, there will be a few dedicated parking spots for the responders. Last weekend about 100 plants and shrubs were put in around the building. It will be all natural looking, and the brick building is in keeping with the other structures in the park. All the plants are indigenous and everything was done to make that building fit in with the waterfront.”
This will be an opportunity for the public to see the finished effect.
Mr. Jimenez said, “Kyle is 2 years old and can’t walk yet but there is great hope for him. His big brother, Dylan, 13, is a great help. He attends middle school at Oyster Bay High School. He is an extra set of hands. It’s a happy story and that is why I want to give back to these people, the ACDS who have been such a good help. They have that servant’s heart – it’s a good thing – it’s a great thing to be that type of person. They really do God’s work.”
Give Support
Mr. Jimenez has enlisted the support of the Atlantic Steamer Fire Co. #1; the Oyster Bay Fire Co. No. 1; the Jericho-Brookville Lions Club; and nassaufdrant.com for the fundraiser. If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring Kyle’s Heroes Walk for Awareness please consider the following opportunities and contact Mr. Jimenez at 852-3310. The opportunities include: Walk Sponsor – $5,000; Corporate Sponsor – $1,000; T-shirt Sponsor – $500; Food Sponsor – $250; Drink Sponsor – $100; Program Sponsor – $50. All sponsorships receive listing in the program. Drink sponsors and above are listed on the T-shirts. All other sponsors receive signage at the event.
Teams Encouraged
Forming a team is a great way to help. Is your workplace, church or family interested in coming together to give back to ACDS and walk for awareness? Form a team of walkers and register together.
A team is any group of two or more friends, family members and/or co-workers who join together to raise awareness about Down syndrome. Team captains are responsible for submitting a complete registration form. Fees can be paid by one check or separate checks from team members. Please submit all checks at the same time.
For more information about ACDS, please visit their website at www.acds.org.
About ACDS
ACDS is dedicated to providing lifetime resources of exceptional quality, innovation and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities and their families.
All of this and myriad other initiatives take energy, commitment and support. As a result of supporters, 91.5 percent of every dollar they receive goes directly to helping those faced with developmental challenges. ACDS is a 501©3 not-for-profit organization.
