SKECHERS Friendship Walk Looks to Raise $1 Million for Schools, Students
Oct 22, 2014 11:59AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
A massive crowd gathers at the Manhattan Beach Pier for last year's SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
On Sunday morning an estimated 12,000 participants will line up to walk from the Manhattan Beach Pier to the Hermosa Beach Pier and back for the annual SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. Organizers hope that the popular event, which raises money for local education foundations and for special needs students at the Friendship Circle, will surpass last year's $1 million fundraising record.
This year's walk will feature new celebrity guests: Ellen K, co-host of the globally syndicated On Air with Ryan Seacrest radio show, will join television host and actress Brooke Burke-Charvet and legendary Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda at the Walk’s opening ceremony celebration. The X-Factor Season 3 trio Sweet Suspense will make their first appearance at the walk to perform the national anthem; and several teen celebrities from Nickelodeon, Disney, and ABC Family will be on hand to cheer on walkers. Additionally, the event will offer interactive booths including games and activities provided by walk sponsors Fresh Brothers, the LA Galaxy Star Squad, the LA Kings Ice Crew, the LA Dodgers Foundation, and more.
Also new this year is a social media challenge: SKECHERS has teamed up with walk sponsor Steel Sports to launch a #P2PSteelSports Selfie Challenge. Walkers will be encouraged to take a selfie photo at the event, upload to their Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account with the #P2PSteelSports hashtag, and for each photo posted, Steel Sports will make an additional $5 donation towards the Walk. The challenge begins at 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the walk. Participants will have 24 hours to post their photos to receive a donation credit.
“All of this would not be possible without dedicated teams of walkers and many generous sponsors, including our presenting sponsor Nickelodeon, who step up to support the walk each year. With the addition of the #P2PSteelSports Selfie Challenge, I’m confident we will surpass $1 million and increase funding for both The Friendship Circle and the education foundations that build a better future for our children," said SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg.
Since its inception, the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has raised nearly $4 million to help save teachers’ jobs, retain vital educational programs, maintain smaller class sizes, improve libraries, upgrade school technology, as well as support The Friendship Circle – an organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming.
"Being the number one footwear brand for children, it felt natural to develop a walk dedicated to children with special needs and education. Our children are our future so it’s important that we try to improve their lives and make a positive impact to the best of our ability," said Stacey Held, public relations manager of the SKECHERS Foundation.
"Manhattan Beach is really more than our headquarters, it is our home," added Held. "And the people that work at SKECHERS are more than just employees. We are a team, friends, and extended family. Many members of the SKECHERS team also live in this community, and their children go to school here. And if they don’t have children, they know someone who does. It is a very supportive and tight-knit community—both SKECHERS and Manhattan Beach and the surrounding cities."
The opening ceremony for the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Manhattan Beach Pier. To learn more, register, or contribute to the cause, visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com
This year's walk will feature new celebrity guests: Ellen K, co-host of the globally syndicated On Air with Ryan Seacrest radio show, will join television host and actress Brooke Burke-Charvet and legendary Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda at the Walk’s opening ceremony celebration. The X-Factor Season 3 trio Sweet Suspense will make their first appearance at the walk to perform the national anthem; and several teen celebrities from Nickelodeon, Disney, and ABC Family will be on hand to cheer on walkers. Additionally, the event will offer interactive booths including games and activities provided by walk sponsors Fresh Brothers, the LA Galaxy Star Squad, the LA Kings Ice Crew, the LA Dodgers Foundation, and more.
Also new this year is a social media challenge: SKECHERS has teamed up with walk sponsor Steel Sports to launch a #P2PSteelSports Selfie Challenge. Walkers will be encouraged to take a selfie photo at the event, upload to their Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account with the #P2PSteelSports hashtag, and for each photo posted, Steel Sports will make an additional $5 donation towards the Walk. The challenge begins at 8:00 a.m. on the morning of the walk. Participants will have 24 hours to post their photos to receive a donation credit.
“All of this would not be possible without dedicated teams of walkers and many generous sponsors, including our presenting sponsor Nickelodeon, who step up to support the walk each year. With the addition of the #P2PSteelSports Selfie Challenge, I’m confident we will surpass $1 million and increase funding for both The Friendship Circle and the education foundations that build a better future for our children," said SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg.
Since its inception, the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has raised nearly $4 million to help save teachers’ jobs, retain vital educational programs, maintain smaller class sizes, improve libraries, upgrade school technology, as well as support The Friendship Circle – an organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming.
"Being the number one footwear brand for children, it felt natural to develop a walk dedicated to children with special needs and education. Our children are our future so it’s important that we try to improve their lives and make a positive impact to the best of our ability," said Stacey Held, public relations manager of the SKECHERS Foundation.
"Manhattan Beach is really more than our headquarters, it is our home," added Held. "And the people that work at SKECHERS are more than just employees. We are a team, friends, and extended family. Many members of the SKECHERS team also live in this community, and their children go to school here. And if they don’t have children, they know someone who does. It is a very supportive and tight-knit community—both SKECHERS and Manhattan Beach and the surrounding cities."
The opening ceremony for the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Manhattan Beach Pier. To learn more, register, or contribute to the cause, visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com
