(Manhattan Beach City Councilmember David Lesser, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mayor Pro Tem Nina Tarnay, Skechers Foundation Executive Director Robin Curren and actor Nate Simon. Photo credit: JP Cordero for Skechers.)

“Our best-ever Sunday wasn’t just an incredible success; it’s the latest in a beautiful story that’s always been all about our kids,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers and co-founder of the event, in a statement. 

Now in its 18th year, the walk has raised $35 million to date for children with special needs, public schools, and national college scholarships. This year the walk had more than 24,000 registrants. 

“When you look at the numbers - our annual 3.4-mile journey, 18 years running, the tens of thousands who take part in this every year - we have collectively walked more than a million miles, or 40 times around the planet for our youth," said Greenberg. "As incredible as that is, the impact of seeing our next generation realize the best version of themselves through our support is even more moving. From the tens of thousands of students who have benefited from improved schools and national college scholarships, to the children with special needs and young adults who will soon gather at our world-class Friendship Campus, every step we take shows them that the sky’s the limit.” 

(Chris and Mary Taylor of the CT3 Foundation and Robert Greenberg, CEO and founder of Skechers)

The annual event benefits the Friendship Campus (The Greenberg Family/Skechers Center)—a $70 million, nearly 62,000-square-foot destination that offers neurodivergent young adults a safe, supportive place that can help them build their independence and find their purpose. Funded by the Skechers Foundation, Friendship Foundation and partners, the campus will open its doors on January 21, 2027, with a creative arts studio, culinary institute and recreation center, as well as life skills programming, early education and mentoring aimed at fostering personal growth while offering preparation for meaningful professional opportunities. 

(Friendship Foundation participants. Photo credit: JP Cordero for Skechers.)

The campus also will serve as the new headquarters for the Friendship Foundation, expanding its reach, programming and impact. Originally serving 30 participants at one school through its original buddy program, the Friendship Foundation now engages with more than 5,000 students, participants and volunteers across Los Angeles County—partnering with nearly 100 schools, facilitating over 50 monthly programs and providing a six-week summer camp for children with special needs.