By C.D. DeSALVO
Hays Post
Since October 2015, the Northwest Kansas Down Syndrome Society has made it its mission to provide accurate and current information, resources, and support for people with Down syndrome, their families and the community. The group spans eight counties and is comprised of approximately 25 families and other supporters of individuals with Down syndrome.
NWKDSS hosts a number of fundraisers throughout the year to help parents of children with Down syndrome and to help provide awareness to the communities by hosting various events. The biggest fundraiser for NWKDSS will be the third annual “Tee It Up for Down Syndrome” golf tournament held on April 27.
“Despite the weather, we still had about 104 golfers last year,” said Alex Green, who was one of the founders of NWKDSS after his daughter was born with Down syndrome nine years ago. “We still raised the same amount of money with our silent auction and the event. Even though the weather did not cooperate, we still had a lot of fun.”
Precision Valley Golf and Bike Center in Hays will be more involved and for the first time, a representative for Dixon Golf will travel to Hays to help promote the event and promote some of their products as well as host a few challenges.
“They’re doing a golf ball challenge, a par-3 challenge and a driving challenge,” Green said. “That’s something that our golf courses haven’t done before here.”
Some of the auction items this year include memorabilia like a basketball signed by the Kansas Jayhawks and a football signed by Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder.
Money raised by the tournament over the last three years has provided financial support for the group to be able to do other things throughout the year.
“This year, because of the success we have had with the golf tournament, we are going to have a walk/run in Russell in October because October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We are also trying to get involved financially with the community and also offer support for some of the organizations for children around the community,” Green said. “We are also sending some members of our group to the national Down syndrome walk at the National Down Syndrome Congress to help further our education.”
The golf tournament will take place April 27 with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The cost is $85 per golfer and $320 per foursome, which include prizes, greens fees, meal and cart fees. Dinner is catered by TK’s Smokehaus.
For more information, you can contact Alex Green at 785-766-3483 or email [email protected]. You can also visit the NWKDSS Facebook page to register.