Cranberry To Host Seneca Valley Best Buddies Walk

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA — Cranberry will host Seneca Valley School District's 3rd Annual Best Buddies Walk on Saturday, May 30, at North Boundary Park. The public event is aimed at celebrating inclusion and supporting fundraising efforts for Best Buddies International.

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization that works to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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At the elementary level, the organization focuses on promoting inclusion and friendship among students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities through group activities, according to the announcement.

Seneca Valley officials said Haine Elementary School's Best Buddies chapter has grown since launching in 2023. The program started by pairing teacher-nominated students in grades 3 and 4 with peers from Haine's Multiple Supports classrooms for collaborative activities throughout the school year.

After its first year, the program expanded to include students from both Haine Elementary and Haine Middle Schools. Seneca Valley reported that the program continues to grow around friendship, inclusion and community.

The walk marks the third annual event for Seneca Valley and is open to the public. Organizers said the event will be held at North Boundary Park in Cranberry Township and that proceeds will go to Best Buddies.

People who want to take part can register online through the Seneca Valley Best Buddies Walk page. Registration costs $10 per person, and the deadline to register is May 29.

The event gives families, students and community members a chance to support the program's fundraising efforts while taking part in a public event centered on inclusion. Seneca Valley described the walk as a milestone event tied to the district's continued participation in Best Buddies programming.