By Amber Miller D.R.E.A.M.
BIG SKY – If you live in Big Sky, you’ve probably seen Devan Elizabeth Miller around town, either dancing at the front of the stage at a Thursday evening concert or maybe shopping in the Hungry Moose. Devan is only 4 years old, but she has a smile and personality beyond her years. Born with Down syndrome, Devan is a proud member of the Big Sky community, as well as a group called D.R.E.A.M., which stands for Down syndrome research, education and advocacy in Montana.
For the third year in a row, Devan and her D.R.E.A.M. family will host a walk to raise money for the nonprofit; this year’s D.R.E.A.M. Buddy Walk is Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Dinosaur Playground in Bozeman. This is the organization’s sole fundraiser.
D.R.E.A.M.’s mission is to make sure children and community members with Down syndrome are accepted and included in every way in their communities and schools. The money raised at the Buddy Walk goes toward grants to help families pay for medical expenses, therapies, tutors and adaptive equipment.
The walk is a one–mile loop around the Gallatin County Regional Park, and the celebration begins and ends at the Dinosaur Playground. Last year we raised over $10,000, and this year we hope to beat that number.
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Dinosaur Playground off of Oak Street and Davis in Bozeman. The fee is $10 and includes a t-shirt. This year there will be live music from Sally Newsome and delicious burgers from Montana Wagyu Cattle Company and door prizes that include donations from Big Sky Resort, among others. You can register ahead of time, make a donation, or create a fundraising page on the nonprofit’s First Giving page firstgiving.com/dream-mt/3rd-annual-dream-bozeman-buddy-walk, or visit dream-mt.org for more information.
Amber lives in Big Sky with her husband Joe and daughters Devan and Ellen. She and Joe are the co-founders of D.R.E.A.M.
