2026 DSAWM Step Up for Down Syndrome
Step Right Up at the Special Olympics of Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center
$0Raised of $135,000
Step Right Up with DSAWM!
We invite you to “Step Right Up” and celebrate carnival-style at the 2026 Step Up for Down Syndrome event!
Step Up for Down Syndrome is the largest Down syndrome awareness event in Michigan and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan’s (DSAWM) biggest fundraiser.
This year’s celebration will be held on Saturday, October 3rd from 2-5 PM at the Special Olympics of Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center. The event will feature carnival games, prizes, food trucks, a disability-focused resource fair, music, and more!
We expect this to be our biggest event yet, with over 1,000 attendees coming together for this highly anticipated community celebration and ceremonial walk. This is the time to come together to support our loved ones with Down syndrome, and we are excited to welcome new and returning members, friends, and family back together for an afternoon of celebration and community.
Get Ready to Step Up!
Every year, DSAWM launches our Step Up for Down Syndrome fundraising campaign. Step Up is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and all proceeds benefit DSAWM's programs and services, ensuring our families have equitable access to robust support at no cost to them.
What makes Step Up so special is that it's a peer-to-peer campaign. That means the majority of fundraising is generated by our members. Members create teams which they then encourage others to join or donate to throughout the summer.
Step Up fundraising comes to an end in early October with an all-ages, family-friendly carnival celebration at the SOMI Unified Sports & Inclusion Center. Over 1,000 people have joined the fun the past few years, including our members, their family and friends, and others in West Michigan passionate about supporting and advocating for the Down syndrome community.
This year, we hope to raise $135,000 to support program expansion into more counties, grow our community partnerships, and connect with more expectant and new families across our service area.
There are multiple ways to get involved in this year’s event, from creating or joining a team, sponsoring, or donating to partnering or volunteering. Visit our "How to Step Up" page to learn how you can participate.
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
Support New Experiences
DSAWM is passionate about offering our members new programming and engagement experiences. What's on the horizon this year? A Kalamazoo theater workshop, adaptive archery clinic, surf & turf camp, lakeshore social gatherings, and more!
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