The Skechers Foundation plans to break all donation and attendance records on October 28 at the organization’s 10th annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, California’s largest in support of children with special needs and education. Backed by presenting sponsor Nickelodeon and media sponsor NBC4 Southern California, the Walk has topped donations every year since its inception and is expected to continue its winning streak and surpass $2 million for the first time in the event’s history.
“This year’s event is going to be an incredible celebration–one that looks back on how we’ve raised more than $10 million for kids this past decade and aims higher with even bigger goals for the next generation,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers and the Skechers Foundation. “We started the Walk in 2009 to take action during a tough economy when state budgets were especially tight for our children–and thanks to the compassion of Nickelodeon, our sponsors and tens of thousands of passionate citizens, those kids are now motivated young adults who are making a difference.”
“At Nickelodeon we celebrate all kids and all of the wonderful characteristics that make them unique, which is why we are proud to support the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk and the important work this event will fund,” said Jennifer Tracy, senior vice president of Partner Marketing at Nickelodeon Velocity.
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is a primary contributor to 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. In addition to educating, inspiring and connecting children who have special needs with their community, the Walk also helps education foundations maintain and enhance their schools, improve technology, science labs and libraries, revamp music programs; reduce class sizes and protect teachers’ jobs. The Skechers Foundation’s scholarship program also awards $100,000 annually to exceptional students who have shown financial need and excellence in academics, athletics and leadership.
Since its inception, the Walk has grown from approximately 1,000 people in attendance who raised $220,000 in 2009 to more than 13,000 walkers and participants donating $1.8 million in 2017. The event has also amassed a team of loyal celebrities, including Sugar Ray Leonard and Brooke Burke who are returning for the fourth and eighth time, respectively, and sports legend Tommy Lasorda–a Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk board member who helped launch the event with Michael Greenberg and has attended every year since its inception.
“As great as our past Walks have been, our eye is on the future,” added Tommy Lasorda. “With more funds dedicated to children with special needs, our schools and scholarships for our kids, we’re only going to reach higher and create more incredible success stories.”
The 3.4-mile Walk will begin at the Manhattan Beach Pier at 9 a.m., and participants will walk to the Hermosa Beach Pier and back. To register or make a donation, visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com or follow SKECHERS on Facebook (facebook.com/SKECHERSFriendshipWalk) and Twitter (twitter.com/SkechersP2PWalk).
In addition to headlining sponsor Nickelodeon and media sponsor NBC4 Southern California, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks its sponsors that include: The Claudette & Ethan Rickett Care Foundation, Steel Sports, Ross Stores, Moose Toys, Continental Development, Vertra Suncare, JR 286 and more than 100 other companies that have supported our children.
Photo courtesy Skechers
