NEW YORK, N.Y. — FACE Amusement Group joined forces with National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) for the 31st Annual NYC Buddy Walk at Times Square, one of the country’s largest Down syndrome advocacy and awareness events.
Gathering in Times Square, more than 2,500 participants joined the Buddy Walk to celebrate community, shift perceptions and advocate for greater opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.
As part of the day’s festivities, FACE Amusement Group donated a teddy bear to every participant in Central Park, spreading joy and reinforcing its shared commitment to NDSS’s mission.
“We’re proud to once again stand alongside NDSS and the incredible Down syndrome community,” said Bucky Mabe, CEO of FACE Amusement Group. “Bear Hugs is about something very simple — bringing joy to people and letting them know they are valued. Seeing thousands of participants come together for the Buddy Walk and being able to put a bear in their hands makes this one of the most meaningful days of the year for our FACE team.”
The donation is part of FACE Amusement Group’s Bear Hugs program, which turns the excitement of winning a prize into an opportunity to give back. When a guest wins a teddy bear at a participating FACE Amusement location, including Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown, FACE donates another bear to a charitable organization on the guest’s behalf. Through Bear Hugs, over 20,000 bears have been donated to local first responders and national organizations such as NDSS.
This year’s collaboration continues FACE Amusement Group’s ongoing partnership with NDSS. Together, the organizations are committed to uplifting families, creating joyful experiences and amplifying the voices of individuals with Down syndrome.
