Benefiting Best Buddies International<\/strong><\/p>\n

Miami, April, 29, 2016<\/strong> \u2014 on Saturday April 23, Best Buddies International<\/a>, 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 and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted its 6th Annual South Florida Friendship Walk<\/strong> <\/span>at Museum Park<\/strong> in Downtown Miami. Pop Artist and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Romero Britto<\/strong> served as this year\u2019s honorary chair for the event. <\/p>\n

More than 2,000 people attended the Friendship Walk and the event raised over $400,000 in total donations, a record for the organization.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I love about the Best Buddies Friendship Walk is that it brings everyone together, from the kid fundraising on Facebook to huge corporations that want to give back\u2014the whole spectrum is represented,\u201d said Erika Hoyos, Best Buddies staff member and Citizens Team Captain. \u201cWe are helping a whole community feel loved with these events all across the nation and I am so proud to have been a part of our Walk here in South Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n

The day kicked off with energetic music and WSVN news anchor and Best Buddies supporter Craig Stevens<\/strong>, who welcomed everyone to the Friendship Walk. The event had several family-friendly activities such as a petting zoo, face-painting, photo booths, and bounce houses. Alexis Greenberg, who has been involved with Best Buddies for over ten years and a top fundraiser, performed a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.<\/p>\n

The event also brought together some of Miami\u2019s most notable residents and celebrities — the Miami Heat Cheerleaders<\/strong> autographed photos for participants; Miss Florida USA 2016 Brie Gabrielle<\/strong> and Miss Florida Teen USA 2016 Grace Smith<\/strong> posed with participants; and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine<\/strong> and Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez<\/strong> engaged with and motivated participants across the finish line.<\/p>\n

Following the Walk, Best Buddies International Founder and Chairman, Anthony K. Shriver recognized the top fundraising teams:<\/p>\n

Top Corporate Teams:<\/span>
\nTeam Jacob\/IPC<\/strong> ($45,896)
\nCrown and Anchor\/ Royal Media Partners<\/strong> ($22,638)
\nStarwood Property Trust<\/strong> ($22,371).<\/p>\n

Top Community Teams:<\/span>
\nTeam Scott Tracy<\/strong> ($16,648)
\nCitizen Buddies<\/strong> ($13,755)
\nTeam Lucas<\/strong> ($13,135)<\/p>\n

Top Schools:<\/span>
\nCarrollton School of the Sacred Heart<\/strong> ($10,425)
\nCypress Bay Senior High School<\/strong> ($5,716)
\nMarjory Stoneman Douglas Soaring Eagles<\/strong> ($4,103)<\/p>\n

Buddy pairs, teams, and supporters traversed the 5K course alongside the scenic Biscayne Boulevard. The Walk began and concluded at Museum Park where participants were treated to lunch generously provided by Subway. Afterwards the participants were invited to dance and celebrate their achievements by visiting many of the activity booths.<\/p>\n

Notable teams and sponsors, who raised over $5,000, include: IPC; Royal Media Partners; Starwood Property Trust; Holland & Knight; Gray Robinson; MasterCard; Celebrity Cruises; Accessible Home Health Care; Tusk Ventures; City of Hialeah; Team Britto; Inktel; Miami Design District; TUUCI; Tom Godart Florida Real Estate; Nordstrom<\/strong>; and Pension Services Inc<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The 2016 Best Buddies South Florida Friendship Walk was an undeniable success!
\nABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
\nBest Buddies\u00ae is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies\u2019 eight formal programs \u2014 Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies\u00ae , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters \u2014 engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 900,000 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<\/a>, facebook.com\/bestbuddies<\/a> or twitter.com\/bestbuddies.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>For more information:
\nJoshua Tessier
\n305.375.2233, ext. 211
\n<\/a>JoshuaTessier@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n

For media inquiries:
\nBest Buddies International:
\nNicole Maddox
\n305-374-2233, ext. 343
\nNicoleMaddox@BestBuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Madari Pendas
\n305-374-2233, ext. 203
\nMadariPendas@BestBuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n

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