Manhattan Beach Gears Up for Skechers Friendship Walk
Oct 17, 2022 11:47AM ● By Mb News Staff
Photo via Skechers Friendship Walk.
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is once again coming to Manhattan Beach, with a goal of raising $2.5 million to support student success.
The event - expected to draw thousands of walkers - is scheduled for 9:00 A.M. on Sunday, October 30.
The Friendship Walk is supported by Kinecta Federal Credit Union and more than 100 companies. The event will feature live performances, celebrities and athletic icons including Brooke Burke, Sugar Ray Leonard, Amanda Kloots, Dani Bowman, and America’s Got Talent golden buzzer winner Madison Taylor Baez. There will also be an adopt-a-pet center sponsored by Petco Love and Los Angeles Animal Services at the BOBS from Skechers store on Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
(Note that the Great Pumpkin Race will follow the Skechers Friendship Walk activities.)
The money raised by the walk will support youth with varying abilities through the Friendship Foundation; as well as education foundations for local public schools.
Last year, the Skechers Foundation raised a record-breaking $2.6 million with 17,000 participants. Of that amount, $236,256 was donated to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation and $713,114 went to the Friendship Foundation.
Friendship Foundation and Ed Foundations Work to Support Students
The Friendship Foundation offers children with varying abilities one-on-one peer visits and social recreational activities, from online gatherings to summer camps, sporting event outings and classes such as music, yoga, cooking, art and drama. Many of those activities will be centered at the new Friendship Campus, expected to be completed in 2024.
The local education foundations, including MBEF, provide funds to enhance school programs; reduce class sizes; update labs, libraries and facilities; and protect teaching positions.
The Skechers Friendship Walk also supports the Skechers Foundation’s national scholarship program. The scholarship program gives a portion of its proceeds to students with financial need and proven excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership. It has donated nearly $1 million in scholarships to date.
Founded in 2010 by the Greenberg family, The Skechers Foundation invests in organizations dedicated to embracing
individuals with special needs, improving education, and empowering
disadvantaged youth. Its stated goal is to inspire and support
individuals to make a valiant effort in creating community.
The Friendship Foundation, formerly known as The Friendship Circle of
the South Bay, serves children
and young adults with special needs by celebrating their uniqueness and
individuality, and creating renewed strength, comfort, and peace of
mind for the families of these special individuals. The Foundation aims to foster the values of altruism, compassion, and acceptance among teen
volunteers; heighten community awareness and sensitivity; and
encourage a sense of responsibility and involvement.