The Skechers Foundation announced that its 9th annual 2017 Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk raised more than $1.8 million for children with special needs and education, exceeding its $1.6 million goal. Supported by lead presenter Nickelodeon and media sponsor NBC4 Southern California, the Walk also reached a new attendance high with more than 13,000 walkers and participants.
Entertainment, sport and fitness celebrities at the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk included actress, model and longtime Skechers supporter Brooke Burke-Charvet, legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and fitness icon Denise Austin. The event also featured numerous teen celebrities, including appearances by This Is Us stars Logan Shroyer, Niles Fitch, Parker Bates and Mackenzie Hancsicsak, and special performances by recording artist Asia Monet; NBC’s Little Big Shots’ Kieran Tamondong; America’s Got Talent duo Artyon and Paige; Nickelodeon star Ciara Wilson; dance sensation Larsen Thompson; and actress/singer Jada Facer, who performed the National Anthem.
“I’ve been part of the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk for seven years now, because I love how Skechers has its heart in the right place – caring for what’s most important, our kids,” said Brooke Burke-Charvet. Our children deserve everything that we can give. And this walk has made such incredible strides – not just in bringing all of our children together, but our entire community.”
“This Skechers event is just fantastic,” added Hall of Fame coach Tommy Lasorda, who has been a Walk board member since its inception. “We had big dreams for it right from the beginning, and it’s great to see how it’s grown into the largest of its kind in California.”
“The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk didn’t just have another record-breaking day; it’s grown into a year-round community-wide movement for our kids,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “People have such an incredible devotion to our children, and that love really came through at our walk.
“We already have people excited and inspired by our event, asking how they can take part next year, and donations coming in to support our 2018 walk. And with next year being our walk’s 10-year milestone, we know that it will be our best ever. We look forward to launching our year-long celebration campaign and continuing this incredible momentum we have for our special anniversary walk next October.”
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has raised more than $8 million since its 2009 launch. Funds support The Friendship Foundation, an organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring, social recreational programming, field trips and sporting events, as well as education foundations committed to retaining vital academic programs, maintaining smaller class sizes, improving libraries, and upgrading school technology. The Skechers Foundation is also entering the fourth year of its scholarship program, and plans to donate $100,000 to deserving students across the country in 2018.
In addition to its headlining sponsor Nickelodeon and media sponsor NBC4 Southern California, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks sponsors Mattel, Moose Toys, The Claudette & Ethan Rickett Care Foundation, Wells Fargo, Ross, Steel Partners, Premier Displays & Exhibits, United Legwear & Underwear Co., Velocity Sports Performance, Vertra, and many others who have provided funds and support to provide a better future for children. To learn more about the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, please visit Skechersfriendshipwalk.com or facebook.com/SkechersFriendshipWalk.
Photo courtesy Skechers
