Join us as we walk in support of Best Buddies mission of inclusion.
Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Central Mass
May 13, 2023
10:00 AM | Worcester, MA
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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!
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.
Arrival and Parking Info:
Entrance: Please enter Polar Park at Gate D on Walk Day.
Parking: The Green Island Blvd Garage across from Polar Park will be open on event day. You are also welcome to park at City of Worcester metered parking spots in the area. Please obey all parking signs and meters. Best Buddies is not responsible for ticketed or towed cars.
Please visit WooSox.Com/Parking for more options, information, and a parking map!
Schedule
May 13, 2023
Check-in: 10:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 11:00 AM
Walk: 11:30 AM
Celebrate Until: 12:30 PM
Location
Polar Park
100 Madison St.
Worcester, MA 01608
Event Contact
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
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.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors:
Additional Sponsors:
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
KatelynLabarre@bestbuddies.org
Best Buddies in Massachusetts 51 Union St Suite 308 Worcester, MA 01608
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/.
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.
Does my mom/friend/child/caretaker/buddy need to register if they are coming with me?
YES! We need all attendees to register before entering the walk. There is no registration fee and no minimum fundraising requirement, but for safety reasons, we need to know who will be present. Please register online ahead of time by clicking the Register link in the menu above. We will also have staff and volunteers at the entrance to the park with QR codes to our website on the morning of the event.
What food will be available?
The Woo Sox Market inside the park will be open and has a variety of snacks, sweets, drinks, and meal options available for purchase ranging between $4-15 in price. We will also have complimentary Polar water and Table Talk Pies available.
How long is the walk? Where is it?
We will be walking around the warning track on the field inside the park. Each lap around the field is about a quarter of a mile. Participants are welcome to do as few or as many laps as they’d like.