Step UP for Down Syndrome

Step up for Down syndrome is our signature community awareness and fundraising event designed to bring the community together to show support and solidarity with individuals with Down syndrome. VDSA hosts 3 Step Up events across our service area, offering multiple locations and times of year for you to join us in Stepping Up to show your support for Down syndrome.

Join us for Step UP in Shenandoah Valley!

August 26th from 10am – 1pm

Join us at Hillandale Park for a 1k, Family Festival, and Community Resource Fair. There will be a kids’ zone, music, exhibitors, food, Silent Auction, and more.

Registration now Open!

View our Sponsorship Opportunities here:

Presented By:

Join us for Step UP in Richmond!

October 14th from 9am – 1pm

Join us for our 17th Annual Step Up RVA. This event includes a 5k run/walk, family festival, and community resource fair. There will be food trucks, stage performances by individuals of all abilities, community resource fair, kids’ zone, and so much more. You will not want to miss this.

Registration now open!

View 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities here:

Peer to Peer Fundraising

For this event individual supporters are invited to create a team for the event and collect donations from friends, family, and colleagues to help reach our fundraising goal. Through the power of collective impact, everyone doing a little, we can achieve more together!

FAQ

Anyone! If you have Down syndrome, know someone with Down syndrome, or simply care about people with Down syndrome you are invited to create a team and help raise awareness and funds to support our mission.

No! We of course would love to have you, but you do not have to run or walk- you can simply come and enjoy the festival that day.

Yes, there are a variety of team incentives and prizes available. You can read all about them over on our full event page, here: (this page isn’t set up yet, but will be in June).

2023 Full FAQ Document is coming soon!

Step UP in Charlottesville 2023 was a success!

April 23rd from 1pm-4pm

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s family festival at Blue Toad Hard Cider Farm on April 23rd. There were pony rides,  face painting, delicious food, a Silent Auction, and more. Stay tuned for a Save the Date for the Step UP Charlottesville 2024!

View event pictures here:

View 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities here:

Thanks to our event sponsors: