Seaford HS Best Buddies Program Holding Friendship Walk Saturday

The Best Buddies program is participating in the annual Long Island Best buddies friendship walk fundraiser Saturday morning at the Westfield Sunrise Mall in Massapequa.

The walk is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with opening ceremonies starting at 9:30 a.m.

The walk is organized each year by Christina Zaferiou, Project Manager of Long Island Best Buddies. Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c ) (3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Rachel Gates, co-president of the Seaford High School Best Buddies program, got involved early in her high school career and finds it very rewarding.

"Our job as student leaders is to lead by example and show the other students without IDD how to treat and include students with IDD at our school," Gates said. "The program helps educate the public on the need for social inclusion and empower people with IDD to become leaders within their community.

Gates feels it's important for the community to be aware and support the efforts of Best Buddies.

"Without volunteers and funds, this program can't exist," Gates added. "It is a program tha makes the world and the people in it better every single day. Every penny counts."

For further information on the walk or to make a donation, log onto http://www.bestbuddiesnewyork.org/liwalk, click sponsor walker and then type in Rachel Gates.