Rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of inclusion at the 2026 Best Buddies Kentucky Friendship Walk! On Saturday, April 18, nearly 400 participants representing 58 teams gathered at Berrytown Park to celebrate friendship, belonging, and the life-changing impact of Best Buddies programs across Kentucky.

Together, our incredible community raised more than $85,000 to support Best Buddies Kentucky’s mission of creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to experience meaningful friendships, develop leadership skills, secure integrated employment, and live more independently.

Although the morning brought rainy skies, the enthusiasm of our participants never wavered. After completing the scenic half-mile walk through Berrytown Park, the celebration moved inside the Berrytown Recreation Center, where attendees enjoyed music, dancing, games, inflatables, cotton candy, delicious food, prizes, shopping in the Best Buddies merchandise store, and plenty of opportunities to connect with friends old and new.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the Friendship Walk is seeing people from every corner of our community come together with one shared purpose: creating a more inclusive Kentucky. Students, families, educators, volunteers, corporate partners, and community members walked side by side, demonstrating that when we choose inclusion, everyone benefits.

We are especially proud to recognize this year’s top fundraisers, whose dedication helped make the event such a tremendous success:

• Top Individual Fundraiser: Addie Childers
• Top Community Team: Dan the Man
• Top School Team: St. Agnes Honoring Joan

Their leadership and commitment inspired countless others to support the mission and helped expand opportunities for individuals with IDD across the Commonwealth.

The Friendship Walk is much more than a fundraiser. Every dollar raised helps create one-to-one friendships, develop young leaders, support inclusive school chapters, and provide opportunities for individuals with IDD to build confidence, discover their potential, and experience true belonging. The impact of this event will be felt throughout the year as Best Buddies Kentucky continues to grow programs that change lives.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every participant, donor, volunteer, sponsor, team captain, school, and community partner who made this year’s Friendship Walk possible. Your generosity and belief in our mission continue to create a Kentucky where everyone is included, valued, and celebrated.

Thank you for walking alongside us and proving that inclusion is stronger when we move forward together. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish at next year’s Friendship Walk!