Miami, FL, February 25, 2019 — Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy 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: South Florida on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Maurice A Ferré Park in Downtown Miami. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk: South Florida is the organization’s latest life-changing movement. Since 2009 more than 200,000 participants have walked in over 30 states and raised more than $16 million for Best Buddies.
“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. “It’s quite inspirational to see the true spirit of generosity, passion and support for the Best Buddies mission in South Florida. We’re beyond grateful for the Walk participants and donors who significantly impact the lives of those with special abilities, and the employer partners in this community who empower individuals with IDD, and are actively making not just South Florida, but the world, a more inclusive place.”
Best Buddies South Florida is proud to have 2,500 (and counting) participants lacing up their shoes to walk for inclusion, all working towards surpassing 2019’s fundraising goal of $600,000. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the walk commences at 9:15 a.m. at Maurice A Ferré Park, 1075 Biscayne Boulevard. Following the walk, please join Best Buddies for a day of fun, family, fitness and friendship.
Proceeds from the Friendship Walk are fundamental in supporting state programs that provide one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development. 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 South Florida.
This year’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk: South Florida sponsors and corporate partners include: Able United, Celebrity Cruises, WSVN, Nordstrom, Franklin Group , Tuuci, GrayRobinson, SMASF (South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine), Mastercard, Value Store It, PNC Bank, Banco do Brasil, Publix, Inktel, Valuation Services Inc., Zumba, IPC, City of Hialeah, Holland & Knight, Royal Media Partners, Turnberry & Associates, Starwood Property Trust, Park Street, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, Duane Morris, Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, City of North Bay Village, City of Miami Beach, Tobias, Financial, BankUnited, Apollo Bank, Genovese Joblove & Battista, and Pirtle Construction.
ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(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. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,500 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 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of over 1.2 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 twitter.com/bestbuddies.
For more information about the Walk and/or media inquiries, please contact:
Catherine Alcantara
305.374.2233 x201
CatherineAlcantara@bestbuddies.org
For media inquiries (including requests for credentials):
Nicole Maddox
NicoleMaddox@BestBuddies.org
Amaury Sablon
AmaurySablon@BestBuddies.org
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