The SKECHERS Foundation today announced a $1.5 million fundraising goal for the eighth SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, an annual event to support children with special needs and education.
Media sponsor NBC4 will join returning presenting sponsor Nickelodeon and a team of celebrities – including Sugar Ray Leonard, Brooke Burke-Charvet, Tommy Lasorda, Denise Austin and Camila Alves – for the event on Sunday, October 23 in Manhattan Beach.
“The SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has grown from a passionate community event devoted to children with special needs and education, to a star-studded movement that has broken records every year and raised $1.4 million for kids last year alone,” said Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. “Over the years, our message has remained the same – to support, educate and inspire our children. We’re truly grateful to have so many join forces to realize this year’s $1.5 million goal for our kids: from dedicated, longstanding partners like Nickelodeon, to a respected media organization like NBC4, and all of the local businesses and individuals that have put their hearts and souls behind this walk for nearly a decade.”
“Nickelodeon is proud to continue its support of the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk and the amazing work that will benefit from it, providing support for children with special needs and education opportunities,” said Sharon Cohen, executive vice president of Partner Marketing, Nickelodeon.
“NBC4 is proud to be the first and exclusive media sponsor of an event that gives generously to children with special needs,” said Steve Carlston, president and general manager of NBC4 Southern California. “NBC4’s commitment to local communities runs deep and the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is another meaningful way to support neighborhoods in the South Bay.”
Since its inception in 2009, the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has dramatically grown its event in order to build awareness for children with special needs and education. Supported by its dedicated community and distinctive sponsors, the Walk has raised approximately $7 million to date, which has helped education foundations improve school technology, science labs, libraries and music programs, reduce class sizes and save teachers’ jobs. The Walk also provides critical funding for The Friendship Foundation – an organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming including field trips, summer camps and music classes.
With more than 12,000 participants attending the 2015 Walk, SKECHERS is anticipating an even larger turnout at the 2016 event – which will include special performances by triple threat Asia Monet Ray, social media star and singer Jordyn Jones, pop group New District, and dance sensation Aidan Prince. Starting at 9AM, the 3.4-mile route will begin at the Manhattan Beach Pier, traveling to the Hermosa Beach Pier and back. To register or make a donation, visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com or follow SKECHERS on Facebook and Twitter.
In addition to headlining sponsor Nickelodeon and media sponsor NBC4 Southern California, the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks its sponsors that include: Wells Fargo, Steel Sports, The Claudette and Ethan Rickett Care Foundation, Ross, Zappos.com, Vertra, WSS, United Legwear & Underwear Co., Mattel, Body Glove, Premier Displays & Exhibits, Kids Foot Locker, JAKKS Pacific, Marshalls, Cushman & Wakefield, Caskey & Caskey, Siltanen & Partners Advertising, Continental Development, Northrop Grumman, Equinox, Chevron, and many others who have provided funds and support to provide a better future for children.
