New Lenox Recognizes Down Syndrome Awareness Month With Special Guests

NEW LENOX, IL — It's not often that a New Lenox Village Board of Trustees meeting draws a large crowd. But, when it does happen, it can be a sign that the community has rallied around some topic or some group in a strong way.

Such was the case at the Village Board of Trustee's meeting Monday, where dozens of people and families gathered to support some of its most beloved residents.

Mayor Tim Baldermann and the board made a special proclamation recognizing that October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The board had invited those with Down syndrome to come out and be recognized, and they happily obliged.

Baldermann started the meeting by reading the proclamation that stated, in part:

"One behalf of myself and this entire Board of Trustees and our entire community, we proclaim October 2022 to be Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and encourage all citizens to work together to promote awareness and to celebrate the many accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome."

In addition to the proclamation, individuals who registered to be at the meeting were given special recognition as deputy mayors for the day — "Though if any of them wants the job officially, it's all yours," quipped Baldermann. They will also receive a framed photo to commemorate the event.

Baldermann and Trustee Lindsay Scalise, who helped organize the special event along with Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and Village Administrator Megan Applegate, called up each individual and presented them with Certificates of Recognition.

Those who were recognized were:

• Rosalie Acevedo
• Maya Brinden
• Camden Bruley
• Luccia Buffone
• Emily Cepakauskas
• Charlotte Earnest
• Katelyn Ford
• Daniel Gengo
• Sofija Hickey
• Tadija Hickey
• Brendan Kallas
• Nora Kazmierczak
• Ivy Kimble
• Heather Madsen
• Jacob So
• Dominic Scalise
• Andy Spittal
• Luca Thielmann
• Maddox Thompson
• Blake Zilinskas

New Lenox is home to several organizations that serve those with disabilities, including Trinity Services and Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, and the New Lenox Police Department each year partners with Special Olympics Illinois in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and other event throughout the year.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month was first designated in 1980 and has been recognized as such every year since then, according to Special Olympics.

"Down syndrome is one of the most common types of intellectual disabilities," according to information on the Special Olympics website. "So it’s no surprise that each year in October we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise public awareness about the condition, and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome."