On a perfect August Sunday, a full field of runners lined up for the 54th Falmouth Road Race. The iconic seven-mile seaside race is more than just a premier running event - this year’s outing raised a record $9 million for charities.
Mixed in with the more than 11,000 runners and 210 Numbers for Nonprofits teams, you might have noticed a group with, dare we say, a little extra JAMBAR-induced skip in their steps! The 40-member (39 in-person and one remote) Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) team, wearing singlets emblazoned with the JAMBAR logo, came together to raise funds to promote acceptance and inclusion for all people with Down syndrome.
Each member of the MDSC team committed to raising money and awareness. Fundraising continues until the end of the month, and the MDSC/JAMBAR team is well on track to beat its goal of $80K. MDSC has fielded a team for the past 17 years, but this is their first with a corporate partner. In addition to sponsoring the team, JAMBAR provided its organic energy bars to help fuel runners during training and race day.
The MDSC team gathered the day before the race for its annual pre-event luncheon, held at the Flying Bridge restaurant. The keynote speaker was CJ Buckley, a 25-year-old who, as he said in his speech, “has been a part of MDSC since the day I was born.” CJ has worked for six years at a Foxborough gym and is a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete. He’s also a graduate of the EXCEL program at Bridgewater State University, where he served as a manager of the men’s basketball team. During his speech, CJ talked about how his involvement in MDSC programs, including the Your Next Star Employment Academy, gave him the skills he needed to succeed in college and on the job. He thanked the runners, including his cousin Owen, for supporting MDSC because he believes “everyone deserves the experiences and chances I’ve had.” He described his life as “amazing, because I’ve had many opportunities to grow and enjoy life independently.” He closed his speech with some sage advice: “Run fast, and don’t forget to drink water!”
MDSC Employment & Special Events Coordinator Tara Buffum (favorite JAMBAR flavor: Peanut Butter Malt Melody) said, “An event like this takes months of organizing. It was a whirlwind of joy to see friends and family come together, and to hear one of our self advocates, CJ, talk about how MDSC’s programming has impacted his life. It’s a great reminder of the strength of our community and the importance of the work.” Tara also thanked JAMBAR, saying, “Having a corporate sponsor for the first time, especially one that helped our runners and volunteers stay energized, made this year even better.”