Five-year-old Preston Taylor’s smile lights up a room, and come September, that lively grin will be lighting up Times Square in New York City.
On Wednesday, mom Jennifer Taylor told The Era that Preston’s picture was chosen to be displayed on the Jumbotron in Times Square at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 for the 2017 National Down Syndrome Society New York City Buddy Walk.
A message sent to the family read, “The National Down Syndrome Society, the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome, received over 2,000 photos for our 2017 NDSS Times Square Video Contest. Your photo will be featured on the Clear Channel Jumbotron with more than 400 individuals with Down syndrome from around the world.”
Jennifer Taylor explained, “The Buddy Walk program was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. The name Buddy Walk promotes inclusion between friends of every ability. There are over 250 buddy walks taking part this year. The NYC walk is the flagship walk.”
The video shown in Times Square will be posted on the Society’s YouTube channel at some point as well.
Preston is the son of Jennifer and Bradford City Fire Chief Eric Taylor. He has an older sister Kierstin, age 9.
Preston will be a student at George G. Blaisdell Elementary School preschool this fall.