At 5 p.m. Sunday (June 3), Central Arkansas celebrates its first ever Buddy Walk, a one-mile walk to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

Buddy Walk is a national organization that raises money to support local and national education and advocacy initiatives, yet Saturday's walk across the Big Dam Bridge is a very local story. 

In fact, we featured the inspiration for the walk on the cover of this month's Little Rock Special Family! Jessica Askins, a spirited 10-year-old from Sherwood, is a busy girl. She plays on a Miracle League team, practices hippotherapy and horse riding with Hearts & Hooves, cheers on her big brother at his baseball games and competes in the Special Olympics Track & Field events every year.

And according to her older cousin, Laura Leigh Turner, "Jessica opened up my eyes to special needs youth ... I want to make the people I come in contact with feel special." Laura Leigh raised more than $1,000 at North Little Rock High School for Special Olympics.

Another of Jessica's close cousins, 23-year-old Abby, is working to create Arkansas' third Miracle League Field in Texarkana. And of course, she was also inspired by Jessica to bring the Buddy Walk to Little Rock.

Read more about Jessica and her family in the June issue of Little Rock Special Family on newstands now and available online here. Then head to the North Little Rock side of the Big Dam Bridge at 5 p.m. Sunday (June 3) for the one-mile walk. Participants will make their way across the bridge and back, then stick around for food and activities. For more info about the event click here.