On Saturday, April 27th, Best Buddies in Pennsylvania proudly hosted two unforgettable Friendship Walks—one in Pittsburgh at Highmark Stadium and the other at the King of Prussia Mall on the eastern side of the state. These inspiring events united nearly 2,500 participants to walk for inclusion and friendship, raising over $220,000 in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Pennsylvania. More than just a walk, these events were a living expression of the Best Buddies mission—to build friendships, create opportunities, and promote inclusion for individuals with IDD.

The energy was electric at both locations, as community members, schools, families, and corporate teams came together to celebrate inclusion and the power of one-to-one friendships. Each walk began with moving speeches from Best Buddies Ambassadors, who shared their personal journeys and reminded us all why our mission matters. Additionally, we were proud to recognize some of our most outstanding chapters and leaders during our awards ceremonies, honoring the students and educators who are transforming their schools into more inclusive spaces every day.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the generous sponsors who made the day possible. Their support helped us create a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere complete with music, games, photo ops, and plenty of celebration. Special thanks to our emcees, Page Weinstein and Janelle Burrell, and to our AMAZING volunteers whose passion and hard work brought the events to life.

Thank you to everyone who walked, fundraised, or supported this year’s Friendship Walks. Your efforts are paving the way toward a more inclusive world—one step at a time!!