The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk continued the Skechers Foundation’s 11-year tradition of record-breaking donations for kids—raising more than $2.2 million for children with special needs and education at Sunday’s event. Supported by lead presenter Nickelodeon, media sponsor NBC4 Southern California, Turkish Airlines and generous businesses, the event launched its second decade with a special performance by this season’s America’s Got Talent winner, Kodi Lee; returning sports legends Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Lasorda; and more than 17,000 registered walkers.
“Kodi’s an amazing global icon and role model for each and every one of us,” states Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers and co-founder of the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. “He’s helped change the world this year for the better in such a seismic way—and every child in our community has that same potential, thanks in part to the more than $2.2 million that this Walk has raised. From the Friendship Foundation’s programs, classes and dozens of regional school clubs, to our college scholarships and the new classes, facilities and technology we’re bringing to our schools, our Walk is transforming thousands of lives with every step.”
Since 2009, the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has raised more than $13 million for The Friendship Foundation, public schools and scholarship funds for exceptional students. The Friendship Foundation assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational activities such as summer camps, outings to sporting events and classes that include music, yoga, cooking, art and drama. The event also helps education foundations maintain and enhance their schools in areas like technology, music, and science, from reducing class sizes and updating labs, libraries and facilities to protecting teachers’ jobs. The Skechers Foundation’s national scholarship program awards $100,000 annually to students who have financial need and proven excellence in academics, athletics and leadership.
Celebrity attendees at this year’s Walk included fitness guru Denise Austin; NBC4 investigative reporter and opening program emcee Lolita Lopez; and the casts of Brat’s Chicken Girls; Nickelodeon’s Knight Squad and All That reboot; as well as numerous YouTubers, Nickelodeon and Disney network stars. Fans celebrated SpongeBob’s 20th anniversary with SpongeBob, Patrick and Friends and enjoyed performances by World of Dance star Ayden Nguyen, Malea Emma and Disney Channel’s favorite rapper, Issac Ryan Brown. New attractions included a business class ticket sweepstakes event sponsored by Turkish Airlines, and a pet adoption center sponsored by the Petco Foundation and Los Angeles County animal shelters.
To learn more about the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, please visit skechersfriendshipwalk.com
Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Co-Founder Michael Greenberg rallies thousands of walkers at the 11th annual event. (Photo: Business Wire)
