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Best Buddies Friendship WalkBest Buddies Friendship Walk
Best Buddies Friendship WalkBest Buddies Friendship Walk
  • About Best Buddies
  • Walker Tips & Tools
  • Donate
  • Register
  • Login

Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Central Illinois

Join us as we walk in support of Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion.

April 29, 2023

9:00 AM | Normal, IL

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The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD).

Join 40,000 walkers across the country to support the Best Buddies programs in your schools, workplaces and communities.  You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time.

Sing Karaoke on the DJ4U Stage, play video games with your friends in the Inclusive Gaming area, plus enjoy McDonald’s coffee, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and the Mission Tent with lots of opportunities to have a blast with your friends!

We are also extremely excited to have 101.5 WBNQ host Susan Saunders hosting our opening ceremonies once again!

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Thank You!

Thank you for participating in this year’s Friendship Walk! Because of your amazing efforts, we were able to raise vital funds and awareness to sustain and expand our local Best Buddies programs. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event. With your support, our mission of friendship and inclusion is stronger than ever!

Schedule

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Check-in: 9:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 10:00 AM
Walk: 10:20 AM
Celebrate Until:  12:00 PM

Location

Corn Crib
1000 W Raab Rd,
Normal, IL 61761

Event Contact

RyanLaCosse@bestbuddies.org

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Why We Walk
Why We Walk
Group of participants wearing the friendship walk tshirt

2023 Fundraising Incentives

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Walk

Join us as we walk for Best Buddies!

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Let’s change the world for people with IDD.

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Celebrate

It’s much more than a walk, it’s a party!

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Event Details

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Supporting Local Programs

Funds raised through the Friendship Walk benefits Best Buddies – the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down Syndrome, Autism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

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We Love Our Sponsors!

  • WYZZ Fox logo
  • WMBD CBS logo
  • The Country Club Barbecue logo
  • That Kid Place logo
  • I Sincerely Wish Soy Wax Candle Company
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes logo
  • 93.7 logo
  • WJBC
  • B104
  • The Neon Bison
  • WBNG
  • Digital Realm logo
  • Connect transit logo
  • Millan petro organization
  • SAMI logo
  • CEFCU logo
  • Lazer Ups logo
  • dj4u logo
  • State farm logo
  • O'Brien auto team logo
  • Fox Pest Control logo

For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:

RyanLacosse@bestbuddies.org


Best Buddies in Central Illinois
7800 Sommer Street, Suite 412, Peoria, IL 61615

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Friendship Walk T-shirt available for purchase?
The official Best Buddies Friendship Walk T-shirt is a badge of honor, so to speak, and is only given in recognition to walkers that raise $50 or more. (And how awesome would that be if EVERY registered walker earned one?  Let’s make that happen!)
I made a $50 donation to my child’s fundraising page – will I get a T-shirt?
Thank you! Your donation will count towards your child’s fundraising total so he/she will be the one who earns the T-shirt.  (But maybe your generosity will earn you Parent-of-the-Year!)
Do you accept cash or check donations?
You bet we do! Simply bring it with you to the walk, or visit your local Best Buddies office. Either way, you’re awesome for asking 🙂
Can I volunteer at the event?
Absolutely! Volunteers are needed to assist with event planning, day-of support, and more. If you are interested in volunteering, visit the link below to receive more info regarding volunteer opportunities.
Sign up to volunteer at www.bestbuddies.org/volunteer/.
What is your data privacy policy?
Best Buddies does not sell, share, or rent personal information collected through our website’s registration or donation forms. For more information, visit bestbuddies.org/privacy-policy.
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