We are beyond grateful to all our incredible supporters who made our Friendship Walks in Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, San Francisco, and Sacramento such resounding successes! With a collective effort, we raised an outstanding $371,614, with 3,430 walkers joining us statewide. Your generosity and dedication have significantly impacted our inclusion efforts across California, reinforcing the importance of unity and community support.

The Friendship Walk is a cornerstone event for Best Buddies, bringing together participants and volunteers from all our pillars for a day of unity and celebration. These walks not only raise crucial funds but also spread awareness about our mission to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our first event Los Angeles saw a remarkable turnout with 1,179 registered walkers, raising an incredible $154,290. Paige Hurd, with her team PH^2, was the top individual fundraiser, amassing $12,221. Career Group Companies emerged as the top corporate team, contributing $15,068. The overwhelming support in LA underscores the city’s dedication to our cause, especially considering attendees come from all over Southern California including LA, Long Beach, and Orange County.

In San Francisco, the walk was marked by exceptional fundraising efforts. Michelle Yoshimine emerged as the top individual fundraiser, contributing an impressive $4,211. The BayKen Buddies team stood out as the top fundraising team, raising $5,186. Their efforts exemplify the community spirit and dedication that fuel our mission. Check out the video recap of our walk here.

For the walk’s third year in Sacramento, Danielle Christy distinguished herself as the leading fundraiser with $2,250. The UC Davis Aggies team also made a significant contribution, raising $3,769. We had so many amazing local organizations attend and there was a real sense of community-building throughout the day.

San Diego’s event was another triumph, with Amanda Canizalez taking the title of top fundraiser by collecting $1,670. The San Diego State University team led the way with an outstanding $9,232 raised, showcasing the power of collective effort and the impact of community involvement. We had an amazing surprise guest attend the walk – the San Diego Padres’ Swingin’ Friar!

Finally, Fresno’s walk surpassed all expectations with 301 registered walkers and a total of $28,863 raised, far exceeding our initial goal of $15,000. Marcus Espino was the top individual fundraiser, collecting $2,505. The team “In Memory of Drew Petersen” led the group efforts with $5,685 raised, honoring Drew, a cherished participant of Best Buddies. This was the first local walk in Fresno since 2019, so we were thrilled with the overwhelming support we received.

These Friendship Walks were more than just fundraising events; they were a celebration of inclusivity, community, and the shared commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each step taken and each dollar raised brings us closer to a world where everyone feels valued and included.

Thank you to all our participants, volunteers, and supporters. Your unwavering dedication and generosity make our mission possible and help create a more inclusive society. We look forward to many more successful events and continued progress in our efforts to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities!