It’s a well-known fact that communities thrive when all are included, supported and celebrated. That’s the mission of Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

You can join the association’s efforts from Monday, Sept. 7, through Sunday, Sept. 13, Down Syndrome Association NWI will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store, with those extra funds donated directly to the organization.

Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Indiana provides support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families, offering programs that foster independence, inclusion and community connection. DSANWI is entirely volunteer-run and funds its efforts 100% through fundraising, making community support essential to sustaining its mission.

According to Executive Director Christine Longo, proceeds from the Round Up will help DSANWI add a 2,500 sq.-ft. commercial teaching kitchen to its 1,500-sq.-ft. Friendship Center in Schererville.

“This is our first year participating in the Strack & Van Til Checkout Challenge Round Up, and we are honored to be included. The timing for this couldn’t be better, as we’re already in the construction phase of our kitchen project,” she notes. “We especially appreciate the support from Stack’s, which helps the community better see and understand the needs of the individuals we serve.”

In addition to the Friendship Center, DSANWI hosts events including the Buddy Walk Family Fun Day, its biggest fundraiser of the year. This year, the event is on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Lake County Fairgrounds. The Buddy Walk brings families together to celebrate inclusion and raise awareness of Down syndrome.

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 96-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities it serves throughout Northwest Indiana.

Strack & Van Til President Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and employee for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups.

“Our stores, with the help of our employees, provide an outlet for our customers to donate to some of their favorite local organizations,” he explains. “Our customers are the ones who give back to the community, and we are so grateful for them.”

Show your support for Down Syndrome Association NWI by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up.

Learn more about Down Syndrome Association NWI at dsanwi.org and see how Strack & Van Til gives back to the communities it serves at strackandvantil.com/community.

By Karyn G. Zafran