by Mark McDermott
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk returned to Manhattan Beach with a bang Sunday morning, attracting 17,000 participants and raising a record $2.6 million for children with special needs and education.
Skechers president Micheal Greenberg said the year in virtual life due to the pandemic made this year’s event particularly special. People arrived with hunger not only to contribute, he said, but to simply and joyfully be together.
“We are incredibly blown away by the turnout for the 13th Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk,” Greenberg said. “It was obvious that the community that we love so much was eager to get out on what was a beautiful Sunday morning and to support one another. There was a lot of love in the air and it showed not only through the monies raised, which exceeded $2.6 million, but in the pure excitement.”
The event featured appearances by Sugar Ray Leonard, Brooke Burke, and Meb Keflezighi, plus live performances by Young Selena singer Madison Taylor Baez, Dance Moms’ GiaNia Paolantonio and He’s All That actor Gabe DeGuzman. Historically California’s largest event for children with special needs, the 3.5-mile Friendship Walk has raised more than $17 million to date for public schools, and scholarships. Donations support The Friendship Foundation, which offers children with special needs one-on-one peer visits and social recreational activities, as well as other local education foundations for public schools. ER
