CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou High School Vikings basketball teams will turn their games on Monday, Jan. 20, into a special occasion to raise funds and awareness in advance of World Down Syndrome Day.
Parker Deprey and Alex Bouchard, Vikings varsity basketball co-captains, said in a Facebook post Jan. 13 that both junior varsity and varsity girls and boys along with cheerleading teams would host Foxcroft Academy on Jan. 20. Junior varsity girls will play at 12 noon, JV boys at 1:30 p.m., varsity girls at 3 p.m. and varsity boys at 4:30.
“The teams will be trying to raise funds and awareness towards this year’s World Down Syndrome Day. World Down Syndrome Day is actually March 21, but our hope is to encourage the community to participate now,” stated the post.
“March 21st was chosen as the official date to represent the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. The purpose of the day is to not only raise awareness, but also promote inclusion and to advocate for those with Down Syndrome.”
The Vikings invite the community to join their efforts. On game day, the teams will don mismatched socks on the court, and hope their fans will do the same. They ask for the community’s support through donations of new pairs of socks or any size monetary gift to be used for spreading awareness and advocating for those with Down syndrome.
Deprey and Bouchard said in the post that they are working with a local group who will distribute the socks as well as information to people from all over to spread awareness. During the Jan. 20 games, the team will take donations at the door, in the crowd, and through a 50/50 raffle.
“So we ask that the community find their brightest and boldest mismatched socks, come to the games, and cheer on the teams will helping support such a wonderful cause,” they said.
