Frequently Asked Questions
CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day
Event Overview
What is the CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day?
The CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day is a day of celebration! The day will be filled with fun activities for the entire family, including moon bounces, carnival games, face painting, live entertainment, an auction, sweepstakes, and so much more! More than 3,000 family members and friends come together each year from all over the country to honor all individuals with Down syndrome.
How does the CHOP Buddy Walk® work?
- We raise funds: 100% of every dollar raised for the CHOP Buddy Walk® funds breakthroughs in care for children at CHOP’s Trisomy 21 Program.
- In October, gather with us to celebrate all our buddies! On event day, everyone registered will gather at Lincoln Financial Field for an inspiring program. We’ll spotlight our teams and patient champions, hear updates from the Trisomy 21 Program, recognize our sponsors, and celebrate all our accomplishments together! The ceremony will be followed by a celebratory walk ending on the field of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Event Day
Where does the in-person event take place?
Lincoln Financial Field. Home of the Philadelphia Eagles
K-Lot entrance: N Access Dr. & S 11th St. Philadelphia, PA 19148
What time is the in-person event?
9:30 a.m. – Registration opens
10:30 a.m. – Program begins
11:30 a.m. – Ceremonial lap begins
1 p.m. – Event concludes
When should I arrive?
We suggest arriving at 9:30 a.m. to ensure your team is ready to check in at the beginning of the event.
Where can I park?
K-Lot will have free parking for all participants. Check out this MAP for locations.
Is there a rain date?
No, the event will be held rain or shine. We encourage everyone to dress for the weather.
What is a team tent?
A team tent is a centrally located meeting area for your team. The tent will have a banner with your team’s name. We also deliver event T-shirts directly to your tent, which allows all your pre-registered team members to avoid any T-shirt lines on event day.
How can my team get a tent?
Teams that raise $5,000+ will be provided with a tent on the day of the event. The deadline to guarantee a team tent is Monday, Sept. 30.
Will CHOP photographers be available to take team photos?
Yes! Photographers will roam throughout the event space and will be happy to take team photos.
Are strollers allowed at the event/walk?
Strollers are allowed during all portions of the event. If a participant would like to walk with a stroller, please be courteous of other teams walking during the ceremonial lap and throughout the duration of the event.
Are we allowed to bring dogs on the event day?
Only service dogs/animals will be permitted at the event. Please bring proper documentation if you plan on bringing your service animal.
Will there be a designated space for individuals who are noise or crowd sensitive?
Yes, the Eagles have a designated touchdown quiet space that is available to all participants. Please find an Eagles staff member (who will be wearing red polos) and request access to the quiet room.
Is there an auction and/or sweepstakes?
Yes, to both! The auction and sweepstakes will take place inside the Eagles stadium. There will be three locations to buy tickets and prices are listed below.
6 Tickets – $5
12 Tickets – $10
25 Tickets – $20
When does the Auction and Sweepstakes close?
The doors will officially close at 12 noon. If you are selected as a winner, you will receive a text message to return to the auction & sweepstakes area with further instructions.
What should I wear to the CHOP Buddy Walk®?
We encourage all participants to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Don’t be afraid to show your spirit — team shirts, signs, noise makers, etc. Many teams create their own shirts for event day, so get creative! Learn how to create your personalized team shirt on Bonfire.
May I bring my own food and beverage to the event?
Yes, outside food and beverages are permitted.
Registration
What is the cost of registration?
Pre-registration:
Adult participant: $21
Children (aged 4-12): $10
Kids (age 3 & younger): FREE
Virtual participant: $15
Event day registration:
Adult participant: $25
Children (aged 4-12): $10
Kids (age 3 & younger): FREE
Virtual participant: $15
When does online registration end?
Online registration for the in-person event ends at noon the Friday before the event. If you or someone you know misses this date, event-day registration will be available starting at 9:30 a.m. Virtual participant registration will remain open throughout the duration of the event. All participants must be registered by the Monday prior to the event to receive an event T-shirt.
Can I register on the day of the event?
Event-day registration is available starting at 9:30 a.m. The registration fee is $25 for adults, and $10 for kids aged 12 and younger.
I do not remember my password to my registration or team page, and I am unable to reset it. What should I do?
Contact buddywalk@chop.edu and provide your name and tell us your access issue. We will manually reset your information and provide you with a new password within 48 hours.
Is there a limit to how many people can be on my team?
The more the merrier! The more teammates you recruit, the more dollars you can raise for the Down syndrome program.
Volunteer information
I have volunteered with CHOP Buddy Walk® in the past. Will there be roles for volunteers this year?
Yes! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at Buddywalk@chop.edu.
Fundraising
Where do the funds go from CHOP Buddy Walk® and Family Fun Day?
100% of every dollar raised through CHOP Buddy Walk® funds breakthroughs in care for children at CHOP’s Trisomy 21 Program. See your impact.
Do I need to fundraise on top of my registration fee?
Fundraising is not required, but it is encouraged! Every dollar raised helps us fund breakthrough research and innovative care for patients at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
How much of my donation will be directed to the Trisomy 21 Program?
100% of your donation directly supports care for individuals with Down syndrome at Trisomy 21 Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
What are the responsibilities of the team captain?
Team captains customize the team page, recruit team members, motivate them to fundraise and share event details with the team. Some team captains go above and beyond and create special team T-shirts [link to Bonfire] or organize a team fundraising event!
Can I create a Facebook fundraiser that will show up on my team page?
Yes! We encourage our participants to start Facebook fundraising through your Participant Center. Log in to your event fundraising portal and select “Create a Facebook Fundraiser” to get started! Check out our Facebook Fundraising guide.
What should we do with cash donations made to our team?
All cash donations should be converted to check or money order. You can fill out our donation form, which includes instructions on who the check should be made out to and where it should be sent.
I donated to a participant/team, but it is not showing up on their page. What can I do?
Sometimes donations are mistakenly made to the general event. Contact buddywalk@chop.edu and provide your name and who your donation was intended to be credited to. We will manually move your donation to the correct location within 48 hours.
What do I do if I – or someone I know – incorrectly donated to the event and meant to donate to my page?
Email buddywalk@chop.edu and provide us with the donor’s name and the correct page that the donation should be credited to. We’ll update the donation to the correct participant or team within 48 hours.
Are there opportunities to get my company involved?
Yes! If you work for a company that might be interested in being a sponsor, please review our sponsorship opportunities packet or email us at buddywalk@chop.edu for more information. Custom opportunities and packages are available. We also welcome any company that would like to form a corporate team and participate. Contact Haley Register by email or call 484-883-8684.
How do I know if my company has a matching gift program?
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. Check with your employer. It’s a great way to double your donation!
Who can I contact if I have questions?
For any questions, please contact us at buddywalk@chop.edu.
