Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society to Host Night of Champions

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is hosting its second annual Night of Champions. This year’s Night of Champions will take place Thursday, June 9th at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Savannah. Tickets are $20 or $200 for a table of ten. LDSS is pleased to welcome celebrity chef and author Jamie Deen as emcee this year. For more information, please contact Allyson Harvin at info@nightofchampions.org or visit the event's website.

This community event is aimed at recognizing the fine contributions made by workers with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. The event is also designed to celebrate area businesses who are hiring people with intellectual disabilities and to encourage other local employers to do the same.

According to the National Down Syndrome Congress, as many as eighty percent of adults with Down syndrome are unemployed. Low expectations and a lack of understanding about the great skills and wonderful work ethic many people with Down syndrome possess have contributed to this sad statistic. LDSS hopes to reverse this trend by encouraging area employers to give workers with intellectual abilities a chance.

“People with Down syndrome are just like the rest of us,” said LDSS Vice President and Night of Champions Chairperson, Brooke May. “We all have special talents, gifts, and skills that can be developed and used in the workforce. I hope Night of Champions gives people that ‘aha’ moment where you say yes, people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities are capable and can do a great job somewhere if given the opportunity. As the mother of an eight year old with Down syndrome, I’m hoping for the day when my child will be a fully productive member of society and that includes finding meaningful employment.”