Author: The ds-connex Team

It’s the year’s most highly anticipated award series. No, it’s not the GRAMMY Awards or the Oscars; it’s the First Annual Stridey Awards, brought to you by ds-connex! These “unofficial” official awards highlight signature aspects of the 2015 Down syndrome walk season that are vital to walk fundraising success and the ability to grow an even stronger Down syndrome community.

Throughout the month of January, we have been announcing the winners on our Facebook page. Check out the full list of awards and winners below. Congratulations to all!

1. Cha-Ching Stridey – The three walk teams with the highest grossing team fundraiser (recorded in Stride) for their Down syndrome walk.

WINNERS: 1) Team Ethan, Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (Team Ethan Golf Outing, $6.5k), 2) Logan’s Heroes, Reach for the Stars Berks County (Bingo Fundraiser, $6.1k), 3) Team Madi, Down Syndrome Network of West Virginia (Softball Tournament, $3.2k)

2. Dressed to Impress Stridey – The five teams with the “unofficial” most creative team t-shirts that we (ds-connex) came across during the 2015 walk season.

WINNERS: 1) Clay’s Crew, Omaha Buddy Walk®; Team Ruby Reese, Atlanta Buddy Walk®; Team Oh! Henry, Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio

3. Early Bird Stridey – The top three Down syndrome organizations who had their Stride sites open the longest.

WINNERS: Green River Area Down Syndrome Association, Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada & Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress

4. “Go Team!” Stridey – The walk with the highest average funds raised by walk teams.

WINNER: CDSC Buddy Walk®

5. The Notable Name Stridey – The ten walk teams with the most creative & original team names this year.

WINNERS: The Attack of Georgezilla!, Macy’s Parade, James & the Giant Peaches, Captain Jack & His Band of Misfits, Wild Goose Chase, Little Beau’s Peeps, William’s Wiggle Worms, We hit the JAKEpot, Believin’ in Ben, & The Big Hug Machine.

6. Social Savvy Stridey – The three Down syndrome organizations whose Facebook saw the largest % growth in 2015 during its partnership with ds-connex.

WINNERS: Down Syndrome Coalition of El Paso Buddy Walk®, Wisconsin Upside Down, & SMILE Mile (SMILE on Down syndrome)

7. Spread the Word Stridey – The Down syndrome organizations who had the most usage of the “Share This” button to promote the walk site on social media or through email.

WINNERS: Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota, and Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta

8. Storyteller Stridey – Recognition of teams who personalized their team profiles. Photos and a short personalized description of why a team or individual is walking allows them to connect with prospective supporters on another level, increasing the likelihood for support.

WINNERS: All teams & individuals who personalized their profiles. A special shout out the following teams who went the extra mile to personalize their profiles in 2015: Erik’s Entourage, Landon’s Luau, & Clay’s Crew (all of the Omaha Buddy Walk®); Kennestone Krew & Team Natey Boy (Atlanta Buddy Walk®); Sibbie’s Superstars (DSNWV Buddy Walk®), and Mille’s Marchers (Columbia Buddy Walk®).