The Skechers Foundation announced that it raised a record $1 million for children with special needs and education through the 2013 Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. With presenting sponsor Nickelodeon and celebrities Jimmy Kimmel, Brooke Burke-Charvet and Tommy Lasorda leading the charge this past Sunday, the fifth annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk also saw a record 10,000-plus walkers, making it the largest event of its kind for these causes in Southern California.
“It’s amazing for me to see so many people rally together, lending a hand and helping one another for something that’s so important the educational systems and children with special needs,” said Brooke Burke-Charvet, who attended her fourth year of the walk with husband David Charvet and their four children. “I’ve been a member of the Skechers family for nearly twenty years. It’s an honor to be here, and I’m so proud to participate in this event.”
“Every October since 2009, we've brought a growing community of caring people and an amazing network of local and national sponsors together to raise much needed funds and positively impact children with special needs as well as students in our schools,” began Skechers president Michael Greenberg. “We started this event with the idea that if everyone does a little, we all benefit a lot, and in the weeks leading up to the Walk, thousands of people did much more than a little. And on Sunday, I saw giving in action. I saw schools rally together. I saw extended families, celebrities, and friends walking together. I saw our community and globally-recognized companies giving for our kids. Steel Partners Foundation joined us in a donation totaling $73,000 on Sunday to help us reach our million-dollar goal. The generosity of all made this possible.”
Greenberg added: “Through this extensive support, we’ve been able to transform the lives of those involved in The Friendship Circle, nurturing the abilities and talents of the children with special needs and creating strong friendships with the many teen volunteers. And we have been able to save programs and provide supplies to our schools. The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has truly become more than an annual event. It has become a way to truly make a difference, a way for many to make a positive change. And I couldn't be more proud.”
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk brought numerous celebrities moved by the cause: Brooke Burke-Charvet, Dancing with the Stars co-host, mother and long-time friend to Skechers; Jimmy Kimmel, late-night talk show host and friend to The Friendship Circle; legendary Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda, a member of the Pier to Pier Walk’s Board of Directors who has appeared at the walk every year since its inception; and actress, singer and Nickelodeon star Ashley Argota, who closed the opening ceremony celebration with a stellar performance of the national anthem.
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is now Southern California’s largest event supporting children with special needs and education. Since its start, the walk has raised nearly $3 million to support The Friendship Circle, as well as help save teachers’ jobs, retain vital educational programs, maintain smaller class sizes, improve libraries and upgrade school technology.
In addition to presenting sponsor Nickelodeon, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks sponsors that include: Steel Partners Foundation, Wells Fargo, Zappos.com, Ross, Rack Room, DSW, United Legwear, Marshalls, Toyota, WSS, Journeys, Chevron, Premiere Displays & Exhibits, Body Glove, Dealer.com, DirecTV, Equinox, Union Bank, Michael Stars, Microsoft, Viva International Group, Northrop Grumman, Honda, Fresh Brothers, Shade Hotel, Murad, Finish Line, Fair Fashion Media, Foot Locker, OK! Magazine and many others who have provided funds and support to provide a better future for children.
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.
The Friendship Circle is a non-profit organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming (www.gotfriends.com).
