MAYOR'S MESSAGE Community Invited to 4th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk Our community is invited to come together tomorrow for the 4th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk—an event that highlights inclusion, awareness, and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This year’s walk will take place on Saturday, March 28 at 9 a.m., beginning at the Coos Bay Boardwalk and continuing through downtown, with participants finishing at Puerto Vallarta Restaurant. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend and show their support. World Down Syndrome Day is observed each year on March 21—a date chosen to represent the three copies of chromosome 21—and serves as a global reminder of the importance of inclusion, awareness, and community support. Here in Coos Bay, this annual walk has become a meaningful tradition that brings together families, friends, and neighbors in a shared show of support. Recently, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Skye Rodriguez, a local student who selected me as part of a school project. She asked thoughtful questions about my role as Mayor and what it means to serve the Coos Bay community. Toward the end of our conversation, Skye shared that she hopes to become an influencer and performer one day and asked if I had any advice. In that moment, it was suggested that she is already doing just that—using her voice to connect with others and bring attention to something meaningful. By choosing to interview the mayor and help spread the word about the upcoming walk, she was already making an impact. You can watch the full interview here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/944298501441210 Whether you participate in the walk or take time to learn more, opportunities like this help build a more inclusive and connected community. -Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay