Huntington Woman with Down Syndrome Wins National Honor

Drawing from her own experience as a woman with Down syndrome, Brittany Schiavone of Huntington has been officially honored as the 2019 L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth National Honoree.

As previously reported, the 30-year-old founded her own nonprofit in 2016 and has been making a difference ever since. Brittany’s Baskets of Hope delivers handmade baskets filled with resources for families of new babies with Down syndrome across the country, and since its inception she has shipped out over 800 baskets to families in 49 states across the country and Puerto Rico.

With her motto being, “People with Down syndrome can do anything… really, really anything!” Schiavone proved it this past week. After months of voting, it was announced on Dec. 4 at the L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth Gala in New York City.

“I had an amazing time at the L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth Gala on Wednesday night,” she said. “I was so surprised when they called my name as the National Honoree that I cried happy tears. It was a fantastic night.”

Honored alongside nine other women making a difference, Schiavone said that the event was a night of pure excitement. She was able to get to know the other honorees and famous celebrities who came by to help.

“I had fun with the other honorees who are my friends now,” she said. “I got to meet some celebrities like Whitney Carson, Debby Ryan, Amber Heard and Aja Naomi King – who was my celebrity for the night and she introduced me.”

By being nominated, the contest donated $10,000 to Brittany’s Baskets of Hope, but with her latest win, she will receive an additional $25,000. “I will use the money to reach out to more babies and set up a office and assembly space in my basement,” she said.

Photo from Facebook

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