“Pathfinder Village helps people find their
way in life to independence, success, and
maturity — all the things you want for your family.”
Marian Mullet | Founder of Pathfinder Village
Pathfinder to mark World Down Syndrome Day
Join us for WDSD activities and the 6th anniversary of Pathfinder Produce!
EDMESTON, NY, March 12, 2019 … World Down Syndrome Day is on Thursday, March 21st and Pathfinder Village will be celebrating with many fun events and activities.
A remarkable planned residential community for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities, Pathfinder Village will join other organizations in observing this special day. World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) has been observed since 2006; it first received recognition by the United Nations in 2012. March 21 – “3-21” – was selected as the celebration date as it represents the triplication of the 21st chromosome, the genetic cause of 95% of occurrences of Down syndrome.
“World Down Syndrome Day has grown recently, and it raises awareness of the abilities and individuals’ contributions within our communities,” said Pathfinder Village Chief Executive Officer Paul C. Landers. “It is exciting to see that people with Trisomy 21 are empowered and stepping into the spotlight, but we also recognize many of the 7 million people with Down syndrome still face significant barriers as they work to achieve lives of meaning.”
At Pathfinder Village, activities will include:
- Pathfinder Produce: Marking its 6th anniversary on WDSD, Pathfinder Produce Market will be in full celebration mode! Balloons, door prizes and drawings, and the market’s signature assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables will be featured, along with special WDSD-themed baked goods from the Pathfinder Bakery. Discounts of 5% will be given on produce purchases at the checkout register.
- Rock Your Crazy Socks: Pathfinder Village invites the greater community to wear crazy socks on WDSD to show support for children and adults with Down syndrome. Join in the fun by posting a picture of you wearing your crazy socks on the Village’s Facebook and Instagram pages. On Facebook, “like” Pathfinder Village then send a picture through Messenger. On Instagram, “follow” our page, pathfindervillageinc., and post your picture with the tag, #pvcrazysocks.
- Pathfinder School Spirit Week: A highlight of the school year, Pathfinder School students and other community members will enjoy weeklong activities and daily themes, March 18 – 22: School Spirit Day, Pajama Day, “Wacky Wednesday,” and “Crazy Sock/Blue & Yellow Day” in support of the Down syndrome community.
As a prelude to WDSD, students from Colgate University and Otsego Academy at Pathfinder Village will participate in their 9th annual Leadership Week, March 11-15. A popular alternative spring break program, Colgate students will experience Academy life, and take part in team building, problem-solving and leadership workshops with the Otsego Academy students.
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About Pathfinder Village: Pathfinder Village is an internationally respected open-access community in upstate New York, and was founded in 1980 to provide people living with Down syndrome and related disabilities an independent, engaging, and fulfilling lifestyle. As it works to provide quality supports for older individuals living with intellectual disabilities, the Village also offers highly successful educational and pre-vocational programs, including its post-secondary program, Otsego Academy, and its community-based day services option for regional residents. To learn more about Pathfinder Village, please call (607) 965-8377, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit the website at pathfindervillage.org, or visit our fan page on the popular social networking site, Facebook.