Evansville Colleges Lace up For Inclusion

Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is excited to announce the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: INDIANAPOLIS on Sunday, April 28 at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. Since 2009 more than 200,000 participants have walked in over 30 states and raised more than $16 million for Best Buddies. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk: INDIANAPOLIS has a goal to raise $200,000, and over 2200 people are expected to attend the event.

“Our Friendship Walks are one of Best Buddies' most celebrated events, bringing communities together where they can experience our mission in action and engage with our program participants,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “It is so inspirational to see the enthusiasm for the Best Buddies mission in Indiana. Chapter participants and other volunteers significantly impact the lives of those with special abilities and are actively making not just Indianapolis, but the world, a more inclusive place.”

University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana are two of the nearly 100 chapter teams lacing up their shoes to walk for inclusion, all working towards raising funds to support Best Buddies programs throughout Indiana. These chapters encourage community members to show support by making a donation to their teams, or to an individual team member, by visiting the event website, www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/indianapolis, where you can also include an encouraging message. Individuals and groups of all ages are invited to join the celebration, by registering to attend the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, joining one of the above teams, or creating a team of their own. Many community groups and businesses have formed walk teams, and look forward to the family-friendly celebration activities.

Proceeds from the Friendship Walk are fundamental in supporting state programs that provide one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development throughout Indiana, changing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the lives of the people that they meet.

Walk for inclusion. Walk for friendship. Walk for a better Indiana.

This year’s Title Sponsor of the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Indianapolis is the OrthoIndy Foundation. Visit www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/indianapolis for more information about the event and Best Buddies programs.