Buddy Walk of Buffalo Niagara & Store | The Family & Friends Down Syndrome Association of Niagara, Inc. (Lewiston, NY)

DSAN Site Directory

Verified Contact & Venues

Official Mailing Address (2024–2025 IRS Form 990-EZ):
DSA Niagara, Inc.
P.O. Box 159
Lewiston, NY 14092-0159

Historic Tax Return Street (2021–2023):
250 S 7th Street
Lewiston, NY 14092

Chapter’s Cafe & Lending Library:
Lewiston Public Library
305 South 8th Street, Lewiston, NY 14092

Official Telephone:
IRS 990-EZ Registered Line: (716) 246-2144

Official Email Links:
christine.sirianni@dsaniagara.org
info@dsaniagara.org

The Buddy Walk of Buffalo Niagara — Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival Parade

Started in 1997 in Lewiston, NY · Representing 400+ WNY Families & Nearly 500,000 Nationwide · Red Brick School / Village Offices Assembly

Buffalo Niagara Buddy Walk Group with Banner in Lewiston

DSAN families and self-advocates marching in lime green Buddy Walk shirts in the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival Parade.

TOUCHING HEARTS, OPENING MINDS, CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

Over 25 Years of Marching in the Heart of Historic Lewiston

The Buddy Walk of Buffalo Niagara was started in 1997 in Lewiston, New York as a local kickoff of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) campaign (founded in 1995) to raise positive awareness about Down syndrome. What started with the love and passion of 3 local Niagara County mothers has grown to a network representing over 400 families in the WNY region and part of a national movement reaching nearly 500,000 individuals and raising over $11.2 million nationwide.

Download Buddy Walk Brochure (PDF) Download Liability Waiver (PDF)

25th Annual Buddy Walk Parade Protocol & Logistics

Assembly & Registration Point: In front of the Red Brick School / Village Offices at North 4th Street & Ridge / Onondaga Streets, Lewiston, NY 14092.
Sign-In & Schedule: On-site registration from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (morning walker check-in 9:30–10:30 AM); march down Center Street in the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival Parade from 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.
Registration Fee & Attire: $10 per person on-site (cash, checks payable to DSA Niagara, Inc., or PayPal accepted). Walkers wear signature lime green Buddy Walk T-shirts or official NDSS shirts.
Shuttle, Pizza & Ride Tickets: The Discover Niagara Shuttle is available to transport those unable to walk the route. Includes free ride tickets for all walkers under age 18 and a free pizza party lunch under the tent afterward!

Online Registration & Mandatory Liability Waiver

For walker convenience, Buddy Walk advance registration and apparel ordering are organized across two dedicated pages:

Advanceregistration.html — Classic advance registration instructions and mandatory Release of Liability Waiver instructions.
BuddyWalkStore.html — Classic drop-down shirt sizing (Youth XS 4 through Adult 3X 22), $20 Registration+Shirt package, $15 Shirt Only, $5 Registration Only, and $5 13×17 Nylon Backpack.
Coordinator Contacts: Call (716) 246-2144 or email christine.sirianni@dsaniagara.org / info@dsaniagara.org.

Interactive Buddy Walk Registration & Merchandise Calculator (Official Event Pricing)

Select your registration package, T-shirt size, optional 13×17 nylon backpack, and optional Miles of Care donation below to calculate your exact check remittance payable to DSA Niagara, Inc.

Registration / Merchandise Option

Buddy Walk Shirt Size (Lime Green / Official)

Number of Walkers / Shirts

Buddy Walk Nylon Backpack 13×17 ($5.00 ea)

Optional Additional Miles of Care Gift ($)

Estimated Total Remittance: $70.00
Selected Package: 2 x $20.00 (Adult Large (14-16)) + 1 Nylon Backpack(s) ($5.00) + Miles of Care Gift ($25.00) = $70.00 · Payable to DSA Niagara, Inc. (P.O. Box 159, Lewiston, NY 14092-0159)

Scenes from the Buffalo Niagara Buddy Walk in Lewiston

Lime Green Buddy Walk Shirts in Lewiston

Signature Lime Green ShirtsFamilies assembling at Red Brick School on North 4th Street before the Peach Festival Parade.

Buddy Walkers Marching Down Center Street

Center Street Parade MarchRaising positive awareness and celebrating the talents of children and adults with Down syndrome.

Youth Smiles and Free Peach Festival Ride Tickets

Pizza Tent & Festival RidesEvery walker under 18 receives complimentary Kiwanis Peach Festival ride tickets and pizza lunch.

Questions about the Buffalo Niagara Buddy Walk? Call (716) 246-2144 or email christine.sirianni@dsaniagara.org / info@dsaniagara.org.

2025 Form 990-EZ Officers

EIN: 80-0265472 · 501(c)(3)
Officer Compensation: $0 (100% Volunteer)

Deborah Fleck (Debbie Fleck) — President & Treasurer
Christine Sirianni (Christine Vescio-Sirianni) — IRS BMF Principal Liaison (c/o), Co-Founder, VP & Co-Treasurer
Bobbie Trunzo-Meredith — Secretary
Anne Kaphingst (Anne Farley-Kaphingst) — Signing Treasurer, Honorary VP & Books in Care Of
Rich Meredith III — Social Events Chair
Dr. Sindoor Desai, Wendy Graczyk & Mary Lou Trunzo — Members At Large

View Full Governance & Bios »

Affiliates & Local Partners

Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce Member Since 2023

Proud Member Since 2023: Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce (NRRCC) in Lewiston, NY.

United Way of Greater Niagara 2025 Funded Agency

United Way Partner: Chapter’s Cafe is partially funded by The United Way of Greater Niagara as a 2025 funded agency.