Last week’s Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk in Manhattan Beach, CA, broke all fundraising and attendance records in the event’s 16-year history. The brand surpassed its $2.5 million fundraising goal to raise an unprecedented $3.4 million for kids. Nickelodeon returned as sponsor, joined by celebs like Brooke Burke and Sugar Ray Leonard and nearly 20,000 registrants. To date, the walk has raised $27 million for children with special needs, public schools, and national college scholarships.
“Like so many memorable sweet 16 celebrations, this year was one for the ages — all thanks to our incredible co-sponsor Nickelodeon, generous companies, and passionate community,” offers Skechers Co-founder Michael Greenberg, also co-founder of the walk itself. “It takes a village to raise a child — and our village has nurtured this event from an enthusiastic neighborhood movement to one of California’s most impactful walks for youth — one that just keeps getting bigger and having a greater and greater impact on our kids.”
“Every year, we take this day to rally for our children — and every other day of the year, they’re experiencing its impact: from building new memories at our thriving Friendship Foundation and public schools, to building dreams as we deliver a new year of scholarships to our talented students and construct our world-class Friendship Campus to transform the lives of young neurodiverse adults. We’re so grateful for Nickelodeon, committed supporters like Kinecta, and the many other companies and thousands of volunteers and families who keep putting our kids first.” — Michael Greenberg, co-founder, Skechers
TV personality Brooke Burke joined the walk for the 13th time this year, and was blown away by what she saw. “In all of the years I’ve supported this event, I’ve never seen anything like this. This year’s energy and excitement was on another level,” she confirms. “It’s really hit a point where every participant is now as deeply engaged and invested in the Walk as its founders. Everyone has seen the incredible good this has done for an entire generation of children, and they’re taking its message to the streets—bringing new friends and families to support this great cause.”
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Cause
Along with local causes, donations from the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk support the development of the Friendship Campus (The Greenberg Family/Skechers Center), a $55 million, 3.25-acre campus that will offer a life-changing community for friendship and learning. The facility is slated to open in 2026 and will include numerous vocational programs supporting the creative arts, culinary skills, recreation, and life skills. And, early education and mentoring opportunities will give young adults necessary tools to transition to the workforce.
The campus will also house the new headquarters for Friendship Foundation, which offers companionship and encouraged acceptance for all with diverse abilities. The organization offers more than 60 in-person programs spanning art, fitness, and entertainment — all free for anyone to attend locally and across the U.S.
Famous Walkers
In California fashion, the walk featured an array of celeb attendees. Dani Bowman, Abbey Romeo, David Isaacman, Subodh Garg and Jake Woodruff from the show Love on the Spectrum and the cast of Greenwood Grove all participated. The event also featured performances from Homescool and Raized Wrong, America’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer winner Madison Taylor Baez, and a pet adoption event in partnership with Petco Love and The Lovejoy Foundation.
In addition to Brooke Burke and Sugar Ray Leonard, the Walk has long been supported by many celebrities and athletes, including Mr. T, Amanda Kloots, Tony Romo, Howie Long, Meb Keflezighi, Jimmy Kimmel, Denise Austin, Kelly Brooke, Ellen K, Camila Alves-McConaughey, and dozens of Young Hollywood celebrities from Nickelodeon, Disney, Netflix, Apple TV+ and Hulu, including Logan Shroyer, Lily Brooks O’Briant, and more.
