FRIENDS - Down syndrome support group of the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia

01/06/2026

We have the opportunity to get 10 tickets for Saturday, January 17th at ETSU at 1:00. If you would like tickets please text either Misty Adams 865-898-7828 or Rebecca Kouvas at 865-640-0325 with the number of tickets you would like.

12/14/2025

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for last night’s Christmas Social! 🎄❤️ We love being able to host this special night and provide gifts to all of our individuals. Seeing both familiar and new faces reminds us how much our FRIENDS community continues to grow.

Santa and Mrs. Claus have already told us they can’t wait to come back next year, and the plan right now is to hold the event at the same location. As always, we’ll keep you updated!

Photos from the evening are available thanks to Rebecca Kouvas Photography 📸✨
https://rebeccakouvasphotography.pixieset.com/2025friendschristmassocial/

Thank you for celebrating with us—we’re so grateful for each and every one of you!

Photo collection by Rebecca Kouvas Photography

12/12/2025

Here is a sensory friendly and accessible Christmas event. This event is hosted by a pediatric occupational therapist and her other pediatric therapists. We wanted to share for anyone that may be interested. The event is in Greeneville.

11/29/2025

🎄 Buddy Walk is over… and now it’s time for CHRISTMAS!
We’re so excited to kick off our Friends Christmas festivities and wrap up our last two events of the year! ✨❤️
🎁 Moms’ Night Out: Gift-Wrapping Party
📅 Thursday, December 11th
🔗 Register here:
https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/4lmP5R2gq8?fbclid=IwRlRTSAOO_VZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEemFjjehThpV4cxaFrp3s2HmC6DMgVUSpQt0z3gYslMNWoe-YXCw93O5yx6rQ_aem_vT_FrkCjzgxYX2wFr6A69A
Come join us for a fun and meaningful night as we wrap the gifts purchased for our incredible FRIENDS families — including individuals with Down syndrome and siblings 12 & under.
We’ll have:
✨ Dinner provided
🎁 All wrapping supplies
💬 Great conversation + connection
🎄 A chance to pour love into every gift
This night isn’t just about wrapping presents… it’s about wrapping them in community, joy, and a whole lot of heart. Come as you are — we can’t wait to spend the evening with you!
🎅 FRIENDS Christmas Social
📅 Saturday, December 13th
🕒 3:00–6:00 PM
📍 The Heritage | 161 Molly Grayce Lane, Jonesborough, TN 37659
📌 Please note this is a NEW location this year.
🔗 Register here:
https://charity.pledgeit.org/ChristmasSocial2025?fbclid=IwRlRTSAOPAJhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEemFjjehThpV4cxaFrp3s2HmC6DMgVUSpQt0z3gYslMNWoe-YXCw93O5yx6rQ_aem_vT_FrkCjzgxYX2wFr6A69A
Santa will be joining us to hand out gifts to all individuals with Down syndrome and siblings/family members aged 12 and under 🎁🎅
Dinner will be provided for everyone attending!
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFO:
🔹 You MUST register each person attending.
🔹 Please select the correct gender and age for every individual with Down syndrome and for each child needing a gift.
🔹 Anyone over age 12 without Down syndrome should select: “Adult age 13 and up.”
(Helps us plan food accurately!)
🔹 Gift registration closes December 6th at 11:59 PM ET.
If your child is not registered by then, we cannot guarantee a gift from Santa.
For questions, contact:
📞 Rebecca Kouvas — 865-640-0325
📞 Misty Adams — 865-898-7828

Christmas Social will be held at The Heritage in Jonesborough 3-6PM. PLEASE NOTE that this is a different local from the past couple of years. The Heritage 161 Molly Grayce Lane Jonesborough , TN 37659 Santa will be coming to hand out presents to all individuals with Down syndrome and siblings/famil...

11/20/2025

11/17/2025

A huge shoutout to one of our amazing vendors, our photographer who has generously donated her time and talent year after year. She travels all the way from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to be with us, and she has captured our memories so beautifully for the past several years.
We truly cannot thank her—and her incredible second photographer—enough for their dedication, their kindness, and the unforgettable moments they preserve for our families.
Please go show her some love and give her a follow: NaturalSunshinePhotography.com
We are so grateful for you! 💛📸✨

https://gallery.naturalsunshinephotography.com/buddywalk2025/

Download pin: 6269

Photo collection by Natural Sunshine Photography

11/16/2025

💛 Thank You to All the Families! 💛

What an amazing day! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every family who came out to support and enjoy the event with us. Your smiles, laughter, and participation made the day truly special.

Seeing families come together—sharing moments, making memories, and enjoying the activities—reminds us why we do what we do. Your presence brought so much joy and energy, and we are grateful for your time, your support, and your community spirit.

Thank you for showing up, showing love, and making this event unforgettable. We hope you had a wonderful time, and we can’t wait to see you again at the next one! 💛👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

Because of you and your support we were able to exceed our goal and that is nothing short of a miracle 💙 💛 This allows us to continue to provide you all with necessary resources and programs throughout the year to encourage independence and inclusion.

Again thank you for all your support. We will never be able to show how appreciative we are.

Stay tuned for our upcoming events and we can’t wait to see you soon!

11/16/2025

🌟 Thank You to Our Amazing Vendors! 🌟

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of our incredible vendors who helped make our event a success! Your creativity, hard work, and dedication brought so much energy and enjoyment to the day.

From the unique expertise you brought to the activities provided at every booth—you truly made the experience unforgettable.

We appreciate the time you invested, the quality you delivered, and the joy you brought to our guests. This event wouldn’t have been the same without you!

Thank you for partnering with us—we hope to work with you again next year! 🙌💛

11/16/2025

We cannot thank everyone enough for all the love and support we have received. At the beginning of this week, we were $10,000 short of reaching our goal — and you all heard our need. Together, we raised over $40,000!

Today was amazing! While we wait to receive the photos from the Buddy Walk, take a look at these pictures from Dinner with David

Download PIN: 5618

Photo collection by Rebecca Kouvas Photography

11/15/2025

🌟 Happy Buddy Walk Day! 🌟
Today we celebrate inclusion, awareness, and the incredible joy that individuals with Down syndrome bring to our community. 💙💛

We’re so excited to join together—families, friends, volunteers, and supporters—to walk with purpose, spread love, and make memories that matter. Whether you’re walking in person, cheering from afar, or supporting in spirit, thank you for being part of this special day!

Let’s make this year’s Buddy Walk the best one yet! 👟🎉

It begins at 10 am at the ETSU CPA field.

We would like to encourage you to visit our merchandise table (cards accepted) as well as visit the many vendors that will be in attendance with activities (not items for purchasing)

Feel free to share your photos, tag us, and let everyone see the smiles and support!

💙💛

11/15/2025

Buddy Walk®, established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society, promotes awareness and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. To read more about the history, development, and current practices of the National Buddy Walk please visit the National Down Syndrome Society website at ndss.org. Y...