Best Buddies Delaware will hold its 2017 Friendship Walk at Bellevue State Park on Saturday, October 28 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Supporters of Best Buddies Delaware from around the state will walk to support inclusion in our communities. The event will raise funds for this organization which serves 21 middle schools, high schools and colleges and a thriving adult program and will create promising opportunities for more than 1,000 people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through its programs this year.
WHO: Best Buddies Delaware
WHAT: 2017 Friendship Walk WHERE: Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Rd., Wilmington, DE
WHEN: Saturday, October 28 8:30 a.m. - Registration - Interviews with walk organizers and walkers can be arranged. Best availabilities, 9:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m.
9:45 a.m. – Opening Program – MC’ed by The Phobiacs, a popular Wilmington Cover Band.
10:00 a.m. – Walk Begins – Accessible route from the Figure 8 Barn out and around the beautiful state park grounds (1.5 mile course).
10:30 a.m. -Noon – Post-Walk festivities (games, food, music, photo booth, costume contest, pumpkin decorating and more).
Walk proceeds play an essential role in funding Best Buddies programs, which provide one-to-one friendships and leadership development opportunities for individuals with and without IDD. The Friendship Walk allows Best Buddies Delaware to move their mission of friendship and inclusion forward, one f at a time, one step at a time.
The public is welcome. Find more information about the Walk, registration and donating at: www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/delaware. There is no registration fee. Walkers raising $50 or more will receive the commemorative event t-shirt. Join a team, create a team or donate to a walker.
“The Friendship Walk is our mission in action." said Tom Waite, State Director for Best Buddies Delaware. "By introducing a person with IDD to a peer without disabilities in a supported, positive setting, we combat isolation and enhance independence while increasing society’s
understanding and acceptance of differences.”
“This is an incredible organization that affects so many lives. Its mission and message is very simple, but could not be more impactful,” said Advisory Board Chair Sue Colonna. “Unfortunately, barriers to inclusion do exist but this Walk is another chance to put the focus on abilities and not disabilities.”
Event Sponsors include: M & T Bank, Discover Financial Services, AutoTeamDelaware, Visio.io, Highmark Delaware, Audi Wilmington, Ferris Home Improvements, State Farm Agent Jim Walsh and the Delaware Marathon,
About Best Buddies:
The mission of Best Buddies is 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. www.bestbuddies.org