COEUR d'ALENE - Elliot Clemens, 7, smiled and gave his mother, Rebecca, a great, big hug Saturday morning after he crossed the finish line of the Step UP for Down Syndrome Walk at Riverstone Park.

Elliot was one of 400 registrants who participated in the trek around the park.

"He's come a long, long way," said Rebecca Clemens, of Spokane Valley.

She and her son wore T-shirts emblazoned with their walk team name, Elliot's Pacemakers. The boy, born with Down syndrome, has had three open-heart surgeries, Clemens said.

The fundraising event was hosted by DS (Down syndrome) Connections Northwest. The Kootenai County-based nonprofit brings together families whose lives have been touched by Down syndrome, and works to raise awareness about the genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and disabilities.

Clemens said being involved with DS Connections has helped her family get through some difficult times during Elliot's surgeries.

DS Connections was co-founded in March 2009 by Cheryl Roberts and Susan Villelli, both mothers of children with Down syndrome.

Villelli said that 8 years ago, she never thought she would be doing what she's doing today with DS Connections.

"When your child is born with Down syndrome, you don't know what to do next," Villelli said.

She hungered to connect with other parents sharing similar experiences, which is what led to the group's creation.

It started with a small group, said Cheryl Roberts, but they now have members from throughout the region.

Saturday's walk brought out 100 volunteers, many of them members.

In addition to linking families, the group advocates for people with Down syndrome by educating the public about the disorder, Roberts said.

"We really want to make this a great community for our kids," she said.

Villelli said they want everyone to know that people with Down syndrome don't need to be excluded.

One of the group's current goals is to have medical professionals spread the word about DS Connections to families newly affected by Down syndrome, Villelli said.

"We want to get the word out that we're here, and we know what it's like to be a parent wondering, 'What do we do with this diagnosis?'" she said.

Alaina and Kyle Stevenson's son Beau, nearly 3 years old, has had a team at the annual walk since DS Connections began hosting them three years ago.

"He was still in the ICU when my husband's sister walked in the first one," Alaina said.

The family recently moved to Liberty Lake from Lewiston, to be closer to services and a school for their son. Although they're new in the neighborhood, their son is not at a loss for playmates thanks to DS Connections.

"It's been really good for him," Kyle said.

DS Connections NW is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society.

Funds raised by the group will be used to support their efforts to reach families by email and through their website, to provide newsletters and a monthly meeting place for group members, as well as funds to support education and advocacy efforts.

By Saturday, DS Connections had raised $11,000 from registrants and donors.