Families stepping up to raise money, awareness about Down syndrome

DENVER -- Christian, Evelyn, Anna and Elizabeth Walter are the core members of The Queen's Team.

Eight-year-old Elizabeth is the queen for whom the team is walking and raising money in this year’s Step Up For Down Syndrome.

Step Up For Down Syndrome is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association. RMDSA officials said the walk will raise about $300,000 this year that will help provide invaluable services and education for families in the mountain west.

But for walkers like The Queen’s Team, The Step Up For Down Syndrome is mostly a day in the park to celebrate those with Down syndrome and their families.

“To be in that environment with all our friends and have our friends kind of celebrate the Down syndrome community with us is just an awesome opportunity and this wouldn't happen if RMDSA didn't make that happen," said Elizabeth’s mom Evelyn Walter.

The Walters expect to put together a team of 65 walkers for The Queen’s Team and hope to raise about $10,000.

Approximately 4,000 people are expected to converge on Denver’s City Park for the Step Up For Down Syndrome on Sunday, Sept. 25. The one-to-two-mile walk will be followed by live music, lots of food, even a talent show.