Join us as we walk in support of Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion.
Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Chicago
May 1, 2021
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Virtual or In-Person Event
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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.
Join us Virtually or In-Person!
Even in the midst of unprecedented challenges, last year’s Virtual Friendship Walk helped us sustain and grow our programs across Chicago and its surrounding areas. None of this would have been possible without supporters like you, and we’re excited to keep moving our mission of inclusion forward with this year’s Friendship Walk. We are hosting a ‘hybrid’ event, at the Old Post Office Rooftop, meaning we will have some in-person elements and some virtual elements.
While we will be gathering safely to walk together in person, Best Buddies welcomes participation from everyone throughout the community based on how they feel most comfortable. Virtual participation is open for individuals and Teams who prefer to join us on walk day from their own favorite path or course. We look forward to having you join us online!
Best Buddies in Chicago is proud to have returning and new participants and teams joining us in our walk for inclusion, all working to surpass our fundraising goal of $150,000 this year. We would like to gauge level of interest for those showing up in person, and will provide more details closer to the walk date. This hybrid walk approach will showcase the Best Buddies mission firsthand – creating a more inclusive world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, all while allowing supporters to participate safely from their own homes and neighborhoods. No matter where you will be on May 1, we’ll be celebrating friendship and inclusion together!
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact: JillSullivan@bestbuddies.org.
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
2021 Friendship Walk Fundraising Incentive Program
Introducing the all-new Friendship Walk Fundraising Incentive Program. Each time you hit a fundraising incentive level, we’ll send you an email confirming your shipping address and that item will be immediately sent to you. (Except the $50 participant shirt which will be given to you either on Walk day or picked up the day before the Walk - see your local Best Buddies office for more detail) Incentive levels start at $50 and go up to $1,500. Get all six and you’ll be repping Best Buddies to the fullest!


Fundraise
Let’s change the world for people with intellectual & developmental disabilities.

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!
Title Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
JillSullivan@bestbuddies.org
312-828-9313
Best Buddies in Chicago 500 N Dearborn, Suite 730, Chicago, IL 60654
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/.
How will the Coronavirus affect the event?
Our team is closely monitoring and evaluating the situation around the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We want to ensure you that we are taking all necessary measures to protect the health and well-being of our Friendship Walk participants and many of our 2021 events will be held virtually.