Ace Sturm Featured in Times Square Buddy Walk Broadcast
A one-year-old from West Virginia joined thousands in New York City to celebrate inclusion for the Down syndrome community.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Special Needs
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Ace Sturm was recently highlighted on a Times Square jumbotron during the 32nd annual National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk. The weekend event drew thousands of attendees to New York City to celebrate the Down syndrome community.
Why it matters
The event provides a vital platform for promoting inclusion and connecting families with essential local support resources. Participating in these activities helps households build community networks and advocate for greater representation.
The Sturm family, including one-year-old Ace, participated in the 32nd annual Buddy Walk. The family spent 45 minutes in Times Square awaiting the broadcast of Ace’s portrait.
The players
Ace Sturm
A one-year-old whose portrait was featured on a Times Square jumbotron during the national event.
National Down Syndrome Society
The national advocacy organization that coordinates the annual Buddy Walk to promote inclusion and support families.
The details
The event featured large-scale jumbotron broadcasts in Times Square to bring visibility to individuals with Down syndrome. Beyond the visual display, the weekend included structured programming where families engaged in vendor activities and meet-and-greets to share experiences and access support networks.
Timeline
September 12, 2026: The National Down Syndrome Society held its 32nd annual Buddy Walk.
The Home Front
The National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk remains a benchmark for community-based advocacy and public visibility in the special needs sector. This movement reflects a broader trend of families utilizing national events to build lasting local support systems.
Families looking for similar support should identify local chapters of advocacy organizations to connect with regional resources. It is worth reviewing the programming at upcoming events to see which meet-and-greets or vendor sessions best align with your household needs.
The takeaway
Large-scale events offer families a unique way to celebrate milestones while gathering information on available support services. Consider looking up the next regional Buddy Walk in your area to begin building your own local network of resources.
What happens next
The Sturm family plans to continue their advocacy by attending upcoming state-level Buddy Walk events in Charleston, West Virginia.
Further reading
Learn more about finding resources for families at Special Needs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wtap.
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