Skechers’ 18th Friendship Walk Raises $3.3 Million for Kids

The Skechers Foundation along with Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk and presenting sponsor Nickelodeon have raised a record-breaking $3.3 million for children with special needs and education.

In its 18th year, this year’s raise beat last year’s $3.2 million. The pier-to-pier walk in Southern California’s South Bay was supported by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, celebrity TV host Brooke Burke, actor Nate Simon and baseball icons Chris Taylor, Kyle Karros and Jared Karros. Thousands gathered on Sunday for the annual tradition.

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“Our best-ever Sunday wasn’t just an incredible success — it’s the latest in a beautiful story that’s always been all about our kids,” said Michael Greenberg, Skechers’ president and cofounder of the Walk, which has thus far raised a total of $35 million for children with special needs, public schools and national college scholarships.

Tens of thousands take part in the annual 3.4-mile walk, which over the 18 years have collectively walked more than a million miles, or 40 times around the planet for “our kids,” Greenberg added.

The annual Walk benefits the Friendship Campus, The Greenberg Family/Skechers Center, a $70 million destination of nearly 62,000-square-feet that offers neurodivergent young adults a safe, supportive place that can help them build their independence and find their purpose, Skechers said. The campus — funded by the Skechers Foundation, Friendship Foundation and other partners — opens its doors on Jan. 21, 2027. It will house a creative arts studio, culinary institute and recreation center, as well as life skills programming, early education and mentoring to foster personal growth while preparing the young adults for meaningful professional opportunities.

Skechers said the campus will serve as the new headquarters for the Friendship foundation, which engages more than 5,000 students, participants and volunteers across Los Angeles Country. It partners with early 100 schools, facilitating over 50 monthly programs and a six-week summer camp for children with special needs.

The Walk included an array of performers and characters interacting with the crowd from musical band Full Circle Boys, Nickelodeon characters SpongeBob, Paw Patrol Pups Marshall and Everest, and Tommy and Angelica from Rugrats. Shelter animals were also available for adoption on-site in partnership with Best Friends Animal Society. Along with Nickelodeon, other generous companies and partners include Rare Beauty, Steel Sports, United Legwear & Apparel Co., Big 5 Sporting Goods, TJX Companies, Fossil Group, Ross Stores, Burlington Store, Amazon, Moose Toys, L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Chargers, Angels Baseball, and many more companies.

The shoe sector is particularly generous with their time and effort when it comes to helping others. This week, Shoes For a Cure New York this week held a five-day charity shoe sale to raise money for breast cancer research, following a major Shoes For a Cure Miami event last week.

Earlier this month, Designer Brands closed its corporate offices for one day so its corporate employees worldwide can volunteer with non profits and community organizations. This past June, the Two Ten Foundation’s annual gala drew 750 people and raised nearly $650,000 to fund emergency relief, hardship and education programs to help people who work in the U.S. shoe industry.

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