“Grand Marshal eh Sam? You have always been most Grand to me! Good luck, and so proud of you Buddy.”

Meet Sam P., a change-making student at Washington-Liberty High School and this year’s Washington, DC Co-Grand Marshal.

Sam has been a part of Best Buddies since 2021 and has had a tremendous impact.

Sam enjoys doing arts and crafts, especially coloring pictures of castles. His favorite Best Buddies memory has been getting mint chocolate chip ice cream and talking with his friends.

When asked what friendship means to him, Sam said, “Hanging out with your friends and having a good time.”

This is Sam’s third year at the friendship walk and he’s looking forward to being the Co-Grand Marshal.

“I can’t wait to lead everybody!”

Sam and his parents have been gathering some purple shirt options for him to wear at the walk, but if you want to see the final outfit, you’ll have to join Sam on the National Mall on Saturday, April 27th.

Sam is also grateful to his parents for helping him create his fundraising page. There, Sam appeals to his supporters saying, “Best Buddies is important to me because I make good friends and have fun. Please help me raise money for my club if you can.”

Sam is a part of the current #1 school team Washington-Liberty High School, which so far has raised $5,030, over half-way to its $10,000 goal!

Sam is a major player in the Washington-Liberty’s race to win the top school award. Sam is only $570 away from surpassing his 2024 goal of $5,000! Sam’s no stranger to leading an excellent fundraiser—last year, he raised $3,000 and in 2022 he raised $4,100.

Dollars are nice, but what’s even more special are the notes of encouragement, support and friendship from more than 40 people who have donated to Sam’s page so far.

Notes like, “Way to go Sam!!” “So proud of you Sam!” “Congrats Sam! Way to go!” “This is awesome, Sam!!” “Go Sam go!” “Love you Sam. Coming up to walk with you!” and “Grand Marshal eh Sam? You have always been most Grand to me! Good luck, and so proud of you Buddy,” fill any reader’s heart with sunshine.

Head on over to Sam’s page to read more and maybe even leave a few words of your own!