Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Burwell
Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The “Rock Your Socks” campaign is typically a fun and engaging initiative used to raise awareness for a specific cause, often related to social issues or charity work. One of the most well-known uses of the “Rock Your Socks” theme is for World Down Syndrome Day, which is observed annually on March 21st. This day celebrates individuals with Down syndrome and promotes awareness, inclusion, and advocacy. Participants are encouraged to wear brightly colored, mismatched socks as a symbol of individuality and to show support for people with Down Syndrome. Mismatched socks are a visual metaphor for the idea that everyone is unique, and the event promotes inclusion, diversity, and acceptance of people with disabilities. The campaign has become a global movement, with participation from schools, workplaces, and individuals who want to show solidarity and spread awareness about Down Syndrome. They say the 21st chromosomes look like socks, this is where the idea of Rock your Socks was born.
Believe it or not, socks get people talking! The idea is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks, you can tell them, “I’m wearing these socks to raise awareness for Down Syndrome”. Then, you can tell them everything you want them to know about Down Syndrome.
When Tatum was born we received an at birth diagnosis and we chose to learn everything we could about Down Syndrome this is where the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network came into play. They had online groups for parents who had children diagnosed with down syndrome that could connect and share information, etc. We fundraise for DSDN yearly and they have partnered with Pals Socks as a way to create awareness but also raise funds. They donate $5 for every pair sold back to DSDN. So not only are you rocking your socks, but you are also helping a non-profit organization that is instrumental for parents with children who have Down Syndrome!
We started our Pals socks journey in 2023, by asking friends and family to purchase a pair and rock them on 3/21. We then decided to go bigger in 2024 when we got our elementary school involved and even bigger in 2025 to supply each student and teacher with a pair. We are hoping to focus on other elementary schools in our district next year and the following years.
As of right now there are 30 plus volunteers across the United States who are trying to promote awareness for Down Syndrome with a Pals Sock initiative!
More about Pals: Pals believe we should ALWAYS celebrate what makes us, us. us. The reason the creator paired two different foot friends together, is because the best kinds of besties take us to new places, introduce us to new ideas, new people, new yummy food! This manifeetsto of celebrating open-mind-edness and friendship is woven through every pair of Pals. The socks include: Donut and Ice Cream, Milk and Cookies, Silly and Serious, Burgers and Fries, Cat and Dog, Dragon and Unicorn, Ladybug and Caterpillar, Sushi and Soy Sauce and so on! They have baby and children sizes all the way up to adult sizes!
Pals has donated over $175,000 to organizations across the country since the program’s launch in 2019.
This is the second year for this initiative. Last year, we were able to provide enough pairs of socks for all of the 3rd grade classes and kindergarten classes (students and teachers) and my nephew’s 2nd grade class as well. The original plan was to have enough socks provided for my son Noah’s 3rd grade class and my daughter Maisie’s kindergarten class however a friend said, you should do the whole grade level, so we said sure why not!
This is in an effort to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day which is on 3/21! We want to promote inclusion, reduce stigma, encourage empathy, build friendship, empower, foster a positive social environment, and prepare our children for future interactions. Ultimately, educating typical children about Down syndrome will encourage a society where diversity is celebrated, and all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
This is a grassroots effort. We are utilizing social media to reach out to friends and family and our community to donate socks. There is power in sharing, and we wanted to create a movement. Our friends and family have been sharing our pictures and videos. We believe that when individuals or groups come together to share resources, knowledge, skills, or experiences, they often achieve more than they could on their own! Generosity has really been instrumental in getting closer to our goal of providing a pair of schools for the entire school: Teachers and students. We would LOVE corporate sponsors/partnerships however it is just grassroots right now!
We have lots of activities planned for World Down Syndrome Day 3/21
• First and foremost is the pals socks initiative. We also encourage everyone to wear mismatch or silly socks on 3/21 or wear blue and yellow. Those are the colors that represent Down Syndrome. The purpose to get people talking and asking questions.
• The last 2 years we have run 3.21 miles in the morning around 5AM- led by FIT4MOM Denton County! It’s a powerful way to start the day and sets intentions for the day! We will do the same this year as well! Anyone is welcome to join!!!!
• I work full time within Talent Acquisition at Perficient, and my local team and national team often participate in wearing pals socks, blue and yellow or even contribute to our fundraising efforts. I share a lot of information on LinkedIn as well, to help create awareness and advocacy on a corporate level.
• We will host a spirit night at Chick Fil a Argyle on 3/21 from 5-7PM in which the funds we raise will go back to the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. Last year, we held our World Down Syndrome Day Spirit Night at Mod Pizza and it was well received!
• We are having custom Team Shirts made as well- and a portion of the sales from those will go back to our fundraising efforts.
• We share information about Down Syndrome, have word searches and color sheets as well as cookies, balloons and so much more to foster awareness!
• Additionally, we fundraise from October to May for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis which included sharing information and creative ways to bring in funds!
• Lastly, The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas does provide World Down Syndrome Day Kits to local teachers (who sign up) which includes a book, a guide featuring grade specific lessons and activities, a list of trusted websites , video, books and fun swag for the students to rock!
I would LOVE to take this to the entire district. It is a hefty lift and something I would need a lot of help and support with. We would need corporate sponsors or large giving back initiatives to support such a feat.
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed every year on March 21st to raise awareness and promote understanding of Down syndrome. The date, 3/21, was chosen to represent the triplication (or trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome. The day aims to highlight the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome, and to encourage society to recognize and embrace their unique abilities.
WDSD is marked by various events and activities globally, including advocacy campaigns, educational events, and social media campaigns. It provides an opportunity to celebrate the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions.
We appreciate all of the support from our friends and family. They have rallied around us to make change and create a movement we were able to collect enough funds over $11k to provide each teacher and student at Argyle West Elementary School with a pair of pals rocks to rock on 3/21. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share our story! Growing up I knew nothing about Down Syndrome and even into adulthood. So when Tatum was born, in our minds we had 2 options: educate ourselves and be her biggest advocate or throw ourselves a pity party and wallow in our new journey. We chose to be her and her siblings fearless advocates. We want everyone to know about Down Syndrome and everyone to know Tatum!!!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up I knew nothing about Down Syndrome and even into adulthood. So when Tatum was born, in our minds we had 2 options: educate ourselves and be her biggest advocate or throw ourselves a pity party and wallow in our new journey. We chose to be her and her siblings fearless advocates. We want everyone to know about Down Syndrome and everyone to know Tatum!!!
People with Down Syndrome typically have some degree of cognitive delay. Delays in speech and language skills are common as well.
Despite these challenges, many individuals with Down syndrome lead fulfilling lives. With the right support, such as early interventions, educational programs, medical care, and social inclusion, they can achieve a high quality of life and participate fully in their communities.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Not only am I a mom, wife, sister, daughter and friend. I also work full time within Talent Acquistion and am make it my passion to giving back to our community. I am the Community Outreach Coordinator with FIT4MOM Denton County where I organize at least 4 giving back initiatives per year. I am the Giving ERG Chairperson for our Dallas Business Unit at Perficient. I am responsible for organizing corporate giving back initiatives for our colleagues. I volunteer my time with DSDN on the Grant Writing Team, Peer to Peer Fundraising and ghost writing on LinkedIn. I volunteer with Jack’s Basket as a Parent Basket Delivery and lots more!
By giving back, I am investing in my own growth and well-being. The fulfillment I feel from helping others enriches my life in ways that go beyond material success. Whether it’s the relationships I have built, the impact I have, or the satisfaction of knowing that I have made a positive change, is what I believe sets me apart in such a meaningful way.
How do you define success?
Defining success in creating awareness for Down syndrome can be deeply personal and meaningful, as it involves making a positive impact on individuals, communities, and society at large.
Increasing Knowledge and Understanding
Changing Attitudes and Reducing Stigma
Engaging the Community
Amplifying Voices of People with Down Syndrome
Promoting Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
Measuring Change Through Action
Success doesn’t necessarily need to be grand or immediate. Sometimes, it’s small, incremental changes—conversations sparked, minds opened, and barriers broken—that truly define meaningful success in creating awareness for Down Syndrome.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dsdn.networkforgood.com/projects/237899-team-tatum-dsdn-24-25-fundraiser
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatertottakestheworld/?igsh=MWVlYm1iYTQzb2h0Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Tatertottakestheworld?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=40b0e4b5-8249-4457-9df5-717ac6f09496
Image Credits
@taterxtots
@juliaalisonphoto
