The Skechers Foundation broke new fundraising records for children with special needs and education at Sunday’s 10th annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, surpassing $2 million in contributions and totaling over $11 million since the Walk’s launch.
Supported by lead presenter Nickelodeon and media sponsor NBC4 Southern California, the event was attended by more than 15,000 walkers and participants as well as numerous entertainment and sport celebrities including legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, actress and model Brooke Burke and fitness icon Denise Austin.
“At 10 years, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is bigger and better than ever,” said Brooke Burke. “In the many years I’ve taken part, I’ve seen this event grow from a community movement to the largest event of its kind in California. The one thing that never changes is the commitment that all of these families and friends have for their children. It’s such an incredible model for the great things that our community can do for our kids.”
“This event has affected thousands of our kids in profound ways,” added Michael Greenberg, co-founder of the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. “The children attending have grown up seeing the great impact a community can have, whether it’s their parents walking for their education or how they can personally support kids with special needs through more than 33 Friendship Foundation school clubs in the South Bay. At a time when bullying continues to be a concern, we’ve raised a generation who is more sensitive to the needs of those who are different from them, thanks in part to this event and the Friendship Foundation. And I can’t wait to start our next decade of encouraging positive change in our community through this Walk.”
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has raised more than $11 million since its launch in 2009. Funds support The Friendship Foundation, an organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational activities such as summer camps; outings to sporting events and a variety of classes that include music, yoga, cooking, art and drama. The Walk also funds education foundations committed to retaining vital academic programs, maintaining smaller classes, improving libraries and upgrading school technology and also supports the Skechers Foundation’s annual scholarship program, which will donate $100,000 to deserving students across the country in 2019.
In addition to performances by 7-year-old singing sensation Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, upcoming High School Musical star Joshua Bassett, Nayah Damasen, Dream Crew and Pynk Le’monade, fans enjoyed autographs and photographs with characters SpongeBob and Patrick and young celebrities from shows like Nickelodeon’s Knight Squad, NBC’s This is Us and CBS’ Young Sheldon.
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks its headlining sponsor Nickelodeon, media sponsor NBC4 Southern California and numerous additional sponsors including: The Claudette & Ethan Rickett Care Foundation, Steel Sports, Ross Stores, Moose Toys, Continental Development, Vertra Suncare, JR 286, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Northrup Grumman, Marshalls, Wells Fargo, United Legwear, Chevron and more than 100 other companies who have supported our children.
To learn more about the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com.
Photo courtesy Skechers
