Donations for Children with Special Needs, School Foundations and Scholarships Have Totaled More Than $11 Million to Date
The Skechers Foundation broke new fundraising records for children with special needs and education at Sunday’s 10th annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, surpassing $2 million in contributions and totaling over $11 million since the Walk’s launch. Supported by lead presenter Nickelodeon, the event was attended by more than 15,000 walkers and participants as well as numerous entertainment and sport celebrities, including legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and actress and model Brooke Burke.
“At 10 years, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is bigger and better than ever,” said Brooke Burke. “In the many years I’ve taken part, I’ve seen this event grow from a community movement to the largest event of its kind in California. It’s such an incredible model for the great things that our community can do for our kids.”
his event has affected thousands of our kids in profound ways,” added Michael Greenberg, co-founder of the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. “At a time when bullying continues to be a concern, we’ve raised a generation who is more sensitive to the needs of those who are different from them, thanks in part to this event 
and the Friendship Foundation. And I can’t wait to start our next decade of encouraging positive change in our community through this Walk.”
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk’s funds support The Friendship Foundation, an organization that assists children with special needs and their families. In addition to helping launch more than 30 school clubs in Southern California for children with special needs, the Friendship Foundation offers one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational activities such as summer camps, outings to sporting events and a variety of classes that include music, yoga, cooking, art and drama.
Education foundations also benefit from the Walk, which helps retain vital academic programs, maintain smaller classes, improve libraries and upgrade school technology. The Walk supports the Skechers Foundation’s annual scholarship program, which will donate $100,000 to deserving students across the country in 2019.
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks its headlining sponsor Nickelodeon, media sponsor NBC4 Southern California and numerous additional sponsors, including: The Claudette & Ethan Rickett Care Foundation, Steel Sports, Ross 
Stores, Moose Toys, Continental Development, Vertra Suncare, JR 286, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Northrup Grumman, Marshalls, Wells Fargo, United Legwear, Chevron, and more than 100 other companies who have supported our children.
Interested participants can learn more about the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk at skechersfriendshipwalk.com and follow the annual event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Skechers Foundation
The Skechers Foundation was established to provide families around the world with the necessities and skills to succeed in life. In addition to organizing the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, the Skechers Foundation funds tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide education and job training, shoes, clothing, fitness and nutrition guidance to communities in need.
