Schools awarded big share of $3.1 million from Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship walk

The first Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk in 2009 drew 1,700 participants, and raised an impressive $220,000. Last October 30, the 14th Annual Skechers walk drew a crowd estimated at 19,000, and raised $3.1 million.

Rabbi Yossi Mintz, Hermosa City Manager Suja Lowenthal, Skechers’ Robin Curren, HBEF’s Sarah Matzen, Councilmember Dean Francois, Mayor Raymond Jackson, Superintendent Jason Johnson, Boardmember Doug Gardner, HBEF’s Peter Spragg, Kincecta’s Latrice McGlothin, Skechers’ Amy Trell, Skechers’ Michael Greenberg, and Assistant Vice Principal Rosalyn Robinson. Photo by Ken Pagliaro (KenPagliaro.com)

During a check presentation ceremony last month at Top Golf, over half of the walk’s proceeds were distributed to six South Bay education foundations.

The Friendship Foundation, for whom the walk was founded by Rabbi Yossi Mintz, and Skechers CEO Michael Greenberg, received a $1 million check. Those proceeds will go toward construction of the Friendship Campus, whose groundbreaking took place in South Redondo Beach was last August. The school will help prepare special needs students for the workplace.

The Manhattan Beach School district crew, (from left) Hibah Samad, Board President Cathey Graves, Friendships Shelly Johnson, and Silvia Martinez, MBUSD’s Dawnalyn Murakawa-Leopard, Superintendent John Bowes, City Manager Bruce Moe, MBEF’s Treasurer Lorelei Chao, Skechers’ Robin Curren, MBEF’s Executive Director Hilary Mahan, Councilman Joe Franklin, Kinecta’s Latrice McGlothin, MBEF’s Vice President Mike Brunick, Skechers’ Amy Trell, MBEF’s David Brennan, Skechers’ Michael Greenberg, and Rabbi Yossi Mintz. Photo by Ken Pagliaro (KenPagliaro.com).

With support from presenting sponsor Kinecta Federal Credit Union, $282,000 was presented to college-bound high school students, nationwide, through the Skechers Foundation.

Next year’s 15th Annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk will be held Sunday, October 29. For more information, visit SkechersFriendshipWalk.com

For more about the Friendship Foundation, visit FriendshipFoundation.com. ER