California’s largest walk for children with special needs and education, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk launches its second decade with a $2 million fundraising goal.
This year’s event will feature a live performance starring this season’s America’s Got Talent winner Kodi Lee, the blind and autistic singing sensation. Together with presenting sponsor Nickelodeon, media sponsor NBC4 and Walk veterans like Sugar Ray Leonard, the Skechers Foundation aims to continue the Walk’s record-breaking streak of donations for children of all ages and abilities.
The 11th annual event on October 27th will also feature SpongeBob’s 20th anniversary with SpongeBob, Patrick and Friends; business class ticket sweepstakes sponsored by Turkish Airlines, the Walk’s new official airline partner; and an adopt-a-pet center sponsored by the Petco Foundation and Los Angeles County animal shelters.
“We’re thrilled to have Kodi perform at the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, just days before headlining his America’s Got Talent LIVE! tour. Our Walk is the perfect venue to celebrate his AGT victory as we inspire, educate and raise funds for kids with special needs and students,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers and the Skechers Foundation. “The dedication of returning legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and generous organizations like Nickelodeon and NBC4 have helped us reach incredible donation milestones for kids: last year, we raised $2 million, and through their continued support, we hope to pass that number this year.”
“We’ve proudly supported the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk for eight years because this mission is so synchronous with our values as an organization,” added Jennifer Tracy, senior vice president of Activation at Viacom Velocity. “When events like this are bolstered by their communities and become annual traditions, the kids get to reap the great benefits all year—and we’re excited to be part of this incredible movement.”
Attendees at this year’s Walk will include celebrities like Hall of Fame baseball legend Tommy Lasorda and Denise Austin; NBC4 investigative reporter and opening program emcee Lolita Lopez; and the casts of Brat’s Chicken Girls and Nickelodeon’s Knight Squad and All That reboot—along with numerous YouTubers, Nickelodeon and Disney network stars and performances by World of Dance star Ayden Nguyen, Malea Emma, and Disney Channel’s favorite rapper, Issac Ryan Brown.
Donations from the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk support The Friendship Foundation, public schools and scholarship funds for exceptional students. The Friendship Foundation 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 classes that include music, yoga, cooking, art and drama. The event also helps education foundations maintain and enhance their schools in areas like technology, music, and science, from reducing class sizes and updating labs, libraries and facilities to protecting teachers’ jobs. The Skechers Foundation’s national scholarship program awards $100,000 annually to students who have financial need and proven excellence in academics, athletics and leadership.
The 3.4-mile Walk will start at the Manhattan Beach Pier at 9AM, where participants will walk to the Hermosa Beach Pier and back. The event will also feature bounce houses, kids’ activities and giveaways—and event followers can win prizes on social media now through the day of the Walk. To register or make a donation, visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com or follow the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk on Facebook (facebook.com/SKECHERSFriendshipWalk), Instagram (instagram.com/skechersp2pwalk) and Twitter (twitter.com/SkechersP2PWalk).
In addition to headlining sponsor Nickelodeon, media sponsor NBC4 and new airline sponsor Turkish Airlines, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks all of its sponsors, including United Legwear & Apparel, McCarthy Construction, KCI General Contractors, Moose Toys, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Petco Foundation, Steel Sports, The CET Foundation, Vertra, Ross Stores, Chevron, DreamWorks, Dakine, Aptos Retail, Continental Development, Mattel, Marshalls, OLIPOP, LA Kings, WSS and more than 100 other companies who have supported our children.
About Skechers Foundation
The Skechers Foundation was established to provide families around the world with the necessities and skills to succeed in life. In addition to organizing the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, the Skechers Foundation funds tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide education and job training, shoes, clothing, fitness and nutrition guidance to communities in need.
