Minneapolis, MN, April 12th, 2023 — Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Minnesota on May 20th at Weaver Lake Park in Maple Grove, MN. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Minnesota is the latest life-changing movement. Since 2009 more than 300,000 participants have walked in over 70 cities and raised more than $30 million for Best Buddies. This year Best Buddies will be hosting 69 walks and is anticipating over 40,000 walkers to attend.

“Our Friendship Walks are one of Best Buddies’ most celebrated events, bringing communities together where they can experience our mission in action and engage with our program participants,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “I am beyond grateful that the important work of this organization will continue, thanks to our participants, volunteers, partners and the entire community. I am confident that together we will continue empowering people with intellectual disabilities, connecting advocates and mobilizing our supporters to create a more inclusive world.”

Best Buddies in Minnesota is proud to have our participants lacing up their shoes to walk for inclusion, all working to surpass 2023’s fundraising goal of $100,000. Registration begins at 9:00 am and the Walk commences at 10:30 am in Weaver Lake Park, 8401 Dunkirk Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311. Following the Walk, please join Best Buddies for a day of fun, family, wellness and friendship.

Proceeds from the Friendship Walk support state programs that provide one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living. These programs can be found in all 50 states and will create promising opportunities for more than 350,000 people this year.

Walk for inclusion. Walk for friendship. Walk for a better Minnesota!

This year’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Minnesota sponsors and corporate partners include Abdo, Speech Remedies, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Burns & McDonnell, Finley’s, First Light Asset Management, Fortune Financial, General Mills, HealthPartners, i4cp, Minnesota Vikings, Olson, Clough, and LeBlanc LTD, Ryan Companies, and Wayzata Community Church.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 47 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships.

For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies.

For more information about the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Minnesota and/or media inquiries, please contact:

Katey DeMarais, State Director
Minnesota@bestbuddies.org