On Sunday, April 13th Friendship Walk Committee Chair and 2025 Miss Central Virginia USA, Sofia McDaniel, welcomed over 270 walkers to the Richmond Kickers City Stadium for the second annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk.

Best Buddies and the Friendship Walk are incredibly meaningful to Sofia because of her two younger siblings with Autism, Cameron and Isabella. “Although they are both younger than me, they have taught me so much,” Sofia shared. They taught her patience, discipline, the importance of a dollar, how to be graceful, beauty, love, confidence, and most importantly, Cameron and Isabella taught Sofia that it’s “Okay to just BE, because the best thing we can be is our most authentic, divinely made selves.”

Sofia’s powerful story about the strength of family was followed by a story of friendship from Michael and Miki, two students at Hermitage High School. “Best Buddies is not just a program. Best Buddies is family. It helped me make friends. It helped me gain confidence,” said Michael. Next school year, Michael is looking forward to becoming his school’s Buddy Director. Click here to read more about Michael’s journey.

Once the crowed was inspired and motivated, it was time to get the Friendship Walk started, but not before a lively warm-up led by the Richmond Kickers mascot, Kickeroo!

Fun was in the air with beautiful face paint, exciting crafts from the Children’s Museum and Virginia Museum of History and Culture and delicious food from Wegmans, Funnel Cake Recess, Taco Bamba and Zorch Pizza. Along the walk route, volunteers handed out colorful beads, cheered walkers on with bubbles and motivational signs. People got the chance to make new friends and celebrate inclusion together.

After a sunny walk around the stadium, Sofia welcomed everyone back with a fun raffle before starting the awards.

Congratulations to the top student fundraiser, Gaby Dominguez from Virginia Commonwealth University. This is Gaby’s second year as the top student fundraiser, and this year she raised $570.

Friendship Walk Committee Recruitment Chair, Matthew Tartaglia took home a handful of awards: top friends and family individual fundraiser with $3,000; the top friends and family team, Team Tartaglia with $4,050; and top corporate team, Summit Human Capital with $2,650. Way to go!

Congratulations to Monacan High School for being the top fundraising school team with $1,805 and winning the Richmond Kickers Spirit Jersey Award!

Over 120 people also walked for inclusion at several great satellite Friendship Walks at The University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University and William & Mary.

Congratulations to the top satellite Friendship Walk student fundraiser, Catherine McClure from the University of Virginia who raised $2,000. Catherine led the University of Virginia to win the top satellite Friendship Walk fundraising school team with $2,545.

Thank you to our Legacy Sponsor, Summit Human Capital. Thank you to our Community Sponsor, Wegmans. Thank you to our in-kind and food sponsors, Richmond Kickers, Striking Media, Power Up Productions, Mosaic Interpreting Services, Funnel Cake Recess, Taco Bamba, and Surrounding Counties.

Thank you to the Best Buddies Friendship Walk committee members, Sofia McDaniel, Matthew Tartaglia, and Pete Peterson.

Finally, thank you to everyone who came out to a Friendship Walk, donated, volunteered, and shared their Best Buddies story. Because of you, we’re able to grow our programs across Virginia and DC to ensure even more people have the opportunity to form meaningful friendships, work in their dream job, and develop leadership and self-advocacy skills. Thank you.

Click here to see the photos from the Friendship Walk in Richmond, VA. Thank you to Aspen Brown for capturing the sunshine and smiles!

Click here to see the photos from the University of Virginia Friendship Walk. Credits to Amy Newcome Scherer.

Click here to watch the 2025 Friendship Walk in Richmond, VA recap video from Striking Media and Power Up Productions.