The seventh annual Night of Champions was held at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa – Hotel Grand Ballroom, and was emceed by celebrity chef Jamie Deen. This community event celebrated differently-abled adults, including those with Down syndrome, and recognized the local businesses that employ these individuals. Lead Actor of Where Hope Grows, David DeSanctis, who has Down syndrome, was a guest speaker during the gala.

This year, the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society honored the following individuals and businesses as the 2016 Champions: Willie Baker, Port Wentworth Police & Fire; Charles Brown, St. Joseph’s/Candler; Lee Brown, Five Guys – Pooler; Ryan Peck, Publix – Bluffton; Monique Shields, Zaxby’s; Frank Williams III, Goodwill. The President’s Award was presented to Jay Thompson of Xcel Strategies.

According to the National Down Syndrome Congress, as many as eighty percent of adults with Down syndrome are unemployed. LDSS hopes through this annual event and their ongoing awareness campaign, that they can lessen this statistic and increase the level of understanding required to recognize the skills and contributions present in these individuals.