On Sunday, May 4th, Best Buddies in Missouri hosted an unforgettable Friendship Walk at Kirkwood Park to connect new and old friends from across the St. Louis region and to celebrate our chapters’ amazing work during the school year. The 2025 event brought together a record crowd of more than 900 participants to walk for inclusion and friendship, raising nearly $90,000 in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Missouri. More than just a walk, this event was a living expression of the Best Buddies mission—to build friendships, create opportunities, and promote inclusion for individuals with IDD.

Spirits were high as community members, schools, families, and corporate teams came together to experience the power of one-to-one friendships. Buddies Braydon and Logan addressed the crowd to share their personal story of friendship.

“I remember seeing Logan sitting by himself at lunch,” Braydon shared. “I felt bad, and it stuck with me for a couple days. I kept thinking about it, and finally, I decided to just go over and talk to him. I sat down, introduced myself, and we started hanging out. That one little moment changed everything.”

“We started doing stuff together,” Logan explained. “We went to the movies and saw Venom. We’ve gone bowling, made pumpkins for Halloween, went paintballing, and watched the Super Bowl. But my favorite thing we do is sit together at lunch every day.”

Missouri Ambassadors, Ethan and Rachel, also spoke and presented awards to recognize some of our most outstanding chapters and leaders, honoring the students and educators who are transforming their schools into more inclusive spaces every day. Congratulations to the Top Fundraising School Team, Eureka High School, led by Faculty Advisor and Top Individual Fundraiser, Mr. John Deaver! And huge shoutout to the Top Corporate Team, Illumiwear, and to the Top Friends & Family Team, Macon Friends for Makin’ Friends whose unwavering support continues to change lives in our community!

Teams lined up at the starting line to officially kick off the Walk and make their way around the lake, cheered on by our energetic spirit leaders. Attendees also explored the ‘Festival of Friendship’ which included yard games, friendship bracelet making, dancing, balloon animals, face painting, and so much more!

Our heartfelt thanks go to the generous sponsors who made the day possible. Thank you to our Lead Sponsor, Illumiwear, led by our friend and Advisory Board Member, Marshall McClure. And special thanks to First Bank, Blues for Kids, Veregy, Krause Basler Network + Envoy Mortgage, Flat Branch Home Loans, Evans Flooring, and Moneta for your investment in our mission! Their support helped create a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere complete with music, games, photo ops, and plenty of celebration.

Special thanks to our AMAZING volunteers whose passion and hard work brought the events to life! Thank you to emcees, Mikala McGhee-Bass and Hayley Leach, to planning committee, student leaders, photographer Jeanne Schutte, and in-kind donors: The Summit All Seasons Market, Raising Cane’s, De Smet Jesuit High School, Pappy’s Smokehouse, Ice Shack STL, and Louie – St. Louis Blues Mascot!

Thank you to everyone who walked, fundraised, or supported this year’s Friendship Walk. Together, we are making Missouri a more inclusive place where everybody can have a buddy.