Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society is pleased to announce its 2018 board of directors.

Officers include Tom Kenkel (Kenkel Design), president; Dr. Ben Spitalnick (Pediatric Associates), vice president; Michael Holton, Jr.(self advocate), secretary; Brian Hussey (CORBAK), treasurer; and Candy Bogardus (Grace Community Church), past president.

They are joined on the board by Jason Ambrose (Moore Industrial Supply), John Bogardus (Zimmer Biomet), Jamie Deen (chef and author), Joe Marchese (Marchese Construction), Harris Martin (Bouhan Falligant), Kristin Nyce (Volunteer), Traci Shreck (Kicklighter Resource Center) and Stephen Greene (South State Bank).

“We are gearing up for a year filled with fun, fellowship and growth within our group and in our community,” said Kenkel. “The organization is so blessed to have such amazing commnity support here at home.”

LDSS has grown from a group of four families who banded together in April 2006, with a shared experience of having a family member with Down syndrome, to a society that has attracted thousands of parents, children, advocates, community volunteers and corporate supporters. Annual events include the one-mile Buddy Walk, the Night of Champions gala dinner and Camp Buddy, held each summer to help children retain the educational milestones they achieved over the course of the past school year.

LDSS is also a community partner for the JOY prom, an event held annually to offer differently-abled adults a night of dancing, food, friendship and fun.

The organization meets the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Benedictine Military School Media Center, 6502 Seawright Drive, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to any and all and includes child care.