By Taylor Kelley
News Editor
Skechers hosted its annual Pier-to-Pier Friendship walk on Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. starting at the Manhattan Beach Pier to raise money and bring awareness to the special needs community and local beneficiary schools.
The walk raised over $3 million for youths with special needs, public schools and national scholarships. The event hosted numerous speakers, including CEO of Skechers Michael Greenberg; CEO and founder of Friendship Foundation Rabbi Yossi Mintz; Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery; Mr. T; several Nickelodeon stars and musical groups; and Peninsula senior Priya Thaker.
“The walk is an event that has been going [on] for 15 years,” said Friendship Foundation Program Development Director Daniel Stump. “It is a fundraiser where all the money [that a] school raise[s] goes right back to the school. The district beneficiaries are Hermosa [Beach], Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach and Torrance. The event also raises money and awareness for the Friendship Foundation and the community we serve.”
The walk began at the Manhattan Beach Pier, where the main stage and various sponsor booths were set up. Participants walked to the Hermosa Pier and back. Along the strand, several cheerleaders and bands from local high schools cheered on the walkers.
“This year was our most successful year; over 21,000 walkers registered, and over $2 million [was] raised,” said Stump. “The walk has become a staple of the community. It is an opportunity to raise awareness in the community about the neuro-diverse population while raising money for all the school districts.”
Half of the proceeds for the Friendship Foundation will go toward the new campus it is building in Redondo Beach, and the other half will go to their operating budget. Senior and co-president of Costa’s Friendship Club Gemma Burstein says that Skechers is a successful global brand, yet still maintains a commitment to its local roots, making people eager to participate in the walk.
“The walk is always such a fun experience,” said Burstein. “So many locals come out to show their support for our schools and the special needs community. It’s a tradition for the Friendship Club to meet at Vons before the walk starts and take a group photo together. It was a beautiful day and a great way to spend time with my buddies from the club.”
Friendship Foundation’s theme for the walk this year was “Friend Story,” based off of the movie “Toy Story.” Costa Friendship Club advisor Sylvia Martinez created the idea for the Friendship Club to dress up as characters from “Toy Story.”
“It’s not what they can’t do; it’s what they can do,” said Martinez.
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