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Skechers Friendship Walk Aims to Raise $2.5 Million

Oct 14, 2024 09:10PM ● By Mb News Staff

Friendship Walk Founder and Skechers President Michael Greenberg talks with friend Jacob at the 2022 event. Photo credit: Ian Logan Photography.

The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, now in its 16th year, has grown exponentially each year in its effort to raise money for children with special needs, public schools, and college scholarships.

For 2024, the event is aiming to break fundraising records for the fourth consecutive year, with an ambitious goal of $2.5 million.

The walk will take place at the Manhattan Beach Pier on Sunday, October 20, with activities beginning at 8:00 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., walkers head to the Hermosa Beach Pier, then return back to the Manhattan Beach Pier for more fun and festivities.

(Photo via Skechers/Business Wire)


Walkers seek donations to raise money for The Friendship Foundation’s ongoing programming for children with special needs, as well as local education foundations. Registration is $30 per walker before the walk, and $35 on the day of the walk.

This year, Skechers is joining forces with Nickelodeon for a star-studded "Sweet 16" anniversary event, featuring celebrities such as Brooke Burke and the cast of Love on the Spectrum,
 
The event will also feature an adopt-a-pet center, sponsored by Petco Love and The Lovejoy Foundation, to be held  Skechers Apparel store at 228 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Skechers is offering a free public shuttle from two remote parking lots for those attending the event on Sunday. The shuttle will run continuously from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from two separate lots: Northrop Grumman Parking Lot “R2” at one Space Park Drive in Redondo Beach, and Kinecta Federal Credit Union at 1440 Rosecrans Ave. in Manhattan Beach.

Funds Raised for Kids, Schools


Donations from the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk support The Friendship Foundation and education foundations for local public schools.

The funds that have been raised are helping to build the future Friendship Campus (The Greenberg Family / Skechers Center)—a $55 million, 3.25-acre campus that will offer the nearly 200,000 special education students across Los Angeles Country a special community for friendship and learning. Planned for completion by year-end 2025, the facility will include numerous vocational programs including a Creative Arts Center, Culinary Institute, Recreation Center, Life Skills programming, and early education and mentoring opportunities, giving young adults the tools to transition to the workforce and find lifelong passion and purpose.

(Photo via Friendship Foundation)

Through its donations to local education foundations such as the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, the walk has also helped enhance school facilities; reduce class sizes; update labs, libraries and facilities; and protect teachers’ jobs.

The Skechers Foundation’s national scholarship program also gives a portion of Walk proceeds to students with financial need and proven excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership, donating more than $1.1 million in scholarships to date.

Event Began in 2009


The event was created in 2009 by a group of parents and friends who wanted to create an opportunity give children more access to programs, higher education, and friendship for every ability.

The event now draws tens of thousands of attendees, and is the largest of its kind in California and have made an incredible impact. The walk has also inspired similar events that are carried out across communities worldwide.






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