Best Buddies Indiana will hold its annual Friendship Walk to support inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on Sunday, April 22. The family-friendly event, which includes a two-mile fitness walk, will start at Indianapolis’ Celebration Plaza in White River State Park at 801 W. Washington St. in downtown Indianapolis, with food and festivities immediately afterward.
Individuals interested in participating in the walk can sign up beforehand on the Best Buddies Indiana website, bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/indianapolis, or register on-site the day of the event. There is no charge to participate in the fitness walk, though donations are welcomed. Individuals who raise $50 will receive an exclusive 2018 Friendship Walk event t-shirt.
Check-in the day of the Friendship Walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 10:20 a.m., with the walk starting at 10:30 a.m. The celebration will continue until 1 p.m.
“The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is an excellent opportunity for the community to see our mission in action as thousands of ‘buddies’ participate in the event together,” said Natalie Seibert, state director. “It is truly heartwarming to see the one-to-one friendships that have been formed between individuals with IDD and their peers, and the life-changing impact these relationships are having.”
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk plays a key role in raising awareness and funding programs dedicated to helping individuals with IDD become more independent and valued members of our society. Since the walk’s inception in 2009, more than 75,000 participants in 46 cities have walked to raise awareness for inclusion, friendship, leadership and opportunity for people with IDD.
Proceeds from the walk will help support Best Buddies programs for elementary, middle, high school and college students where students with IDD form friendships with their peers, as well as other Best Buddies programs that help people with IDD secure successful jobs, develop public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills and feel valued by society. These programs include Best Buddies Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Citizens.
“The number of individuals with IDD in Indiana who are benefiting from Best Buddies’ programs continues to grow,” said Seibert. “Charitable donations by individuals and corporate sponsors are vital to our ability to create inclusive cultures in our schools and to empower people with IDD. We hope that advocates of our mission will take part in the walk, but if unable to attend, make a charitable donation.”
For information about Best Buddies Indiana, please contact Natalie Seibert at natalieseibert@bestbuddies.org or call 317-436-8440.
About Best Buddies Indiana
Best Buddies Indiana serves more than 5,900 youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through chapters at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, corporations and in the community, providing life-changing opportunities for friendship and leadership development. To learn more, please visit bestbuddies.org/indiana.