The Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Indianapolis took place on Sunday, April 22 at White River State Park, with more than 2200 people in attendance. This celebration of the Best Buddies mission of inclusion was charged with the energy of friendship. Family-friendly activities featured a 2-mile fitness walk along the river, DJ, music and dancing, bounce houses, the appearance of a magical unicorn, and a free lunch provided by Texas Road House of Fishers.
Best Buddies Indiana Jobs program participant Matt Burns was recognized as the Top Individual Walk Fundraiser for Indiana, raising over $10,000 from hundreds of individual donors. Matt’s team – Team Cash Money, captained by event chair Evan Parker – was recognized as the top community fundraising team.
Top overall Best Buddies school chapter team in fundraising was Hamilton Southeastern High School, top college chapter team – Butler University, and top middle school team – Riverside Intermediate, who also won the Spirit Award on the day of the event.
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Best Buddies Indiana is proud to have had the participation of many Corporate and Community teams as well, including many new to the walk this year. Top fundraising corporate team was Anthem, and the largest Corporate Team - Dauby O'Connor & Zaleski. The top new corporate team was First Internet Bank, and the largest new corporate team – Defenders. The top new community walk team was Jeremiah’s Way, and the largest new community team – Walking on Sunshine.
Since 2009, more than 55,000 Friendship Walk participants have walked in more than 26 states and 3 countries, raising over $5 million for Best Buddies. Proceeds from the Best Buddies Friendship Walk provide the primary support for programs offering one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development opportunities, and promoting the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in schools, colleges, corporations, and communities.
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The 2018 Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Indianapolis was presented by OrthoIndy Foundation, with the support of Gold Sponsors Capital Group and Lamar Advertising; Silver Sponsors Indy Pop Con, MHS, and the Indianapolis Indians; Bronze Sponsors Aqua Systems, Goodman Campbell Brain & Spine, Keller Macaluso, Anthem, Merchants Bank of Indiana, IPMG, The Mower Shop, White River State Park, Tri-Kappa, Optique Vision Center, Duke Realty, Ice Miller, Indiana Oxygen, NextGear Capital and Manheim Indianapolis.
For more information about Best Buddies Indiana, please visit www.bestbuddies.org/indiana and www.facebook.com/bestbuddiesin/
