Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Univ. of Dayton
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Sunday, April 12, 2026
2:00 PM | Dayton, OH
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Friendship Walk! Through your amazing efforts, we raised 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 event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Join more than 50,000 participants at 80 events across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time.
See More Event Details
Parking
Please park in Lot C directly adjacent to the Rec Plex area.
Registration
All attendees MUST register. It is very helpful for our planning team if you register in advance. If you are not able to register before the event, please visit the registration tent once you arrive to register onsite.
T-Shirt Pick-Up
Every registered walker who raises $50 or more gets a Friendship Walk T-shirt! Please visit the registration tent on event day to grab yours. Please note that extra shirts are limited.
Food & Beverages
Snacks and water will be provided to all registered walkers and volunteers.
Route Details
The Friendship Walk route is a flat paved path. One lap around the Rec Plex equals 0.9 mile.
Accessibility
The Friendship Walk route is wheelchair accessible and paved. Accessible parking is also available. If you need assistance with a wheelchair and accessing any of these areas, please alert our volunteers and they will assist. Portions of this event will include loud sounds and music.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Owners must pick up after their dogs.
Weather
We walk rain or shine! Spring in Ohio is difficult to predict, so please come prepared with sunscreen, cold weather clothes, or umbrellas. If there is lightning, we will postpone the event. Please stay up to date on weather and look out for our communications.
Schedule
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Check-in: 2:00 PM
Opening Ceremonies: 2:30 PM
Walk: 3:30 PM
Celebrate Until: 4:00 PM
Location
University of Dayton
Rec Plex 2 Evanston Ave.
Dayton, Ohio 45469
Walk Route
Approximately 1 mile
Event Contact
CaseyGoldmanDavis@bestbuddies.org
Important Event Information
The University of Dayton Satellite Friendship Walk supports Best Buddies in southwest Ohio! Help the University of Dayton reach their Friendship Walk fundraising goal by walking for inclusion!
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Fundraising Rankings
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
Below are the rankings of the top 100 individuals and teams for this year’s event.
Raise $50 to receive our event Shirt
The Friendship Walk incentive program allows qualifying participants to redeem items in real-time as each level is achieved. To qualify for fundraising incentives, all funds must be raised funds through an individual fundraising page and tied to a specific individual (not through a team page). All items must be redeemed via form submission sent to the email address used during registration upon reaching each level. Please consider adding FriendshipWalk@bestbuddies.org to your email contacts to help avoid spam/junk filters.
2026 Fundraising Incentives Coming Soon!
Supporting Local Programs
Funds raised through the Friendship Walk benefits Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
The Pollock & Bhat Family In Memory of Joe and Amy Pollock
Debbie & George Lang
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
caseygoldmandavis@bestbuddies.org
Best Buddies in Ohio
PO Box 45353
Westlake, OH 44145
Frequently Asked Questions
Every person who raises $50 or more will receive the official Best Buddies Friendship Walk t-shirt on walk day. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting a more inclusive world and going the extra mile! Want to make sure you receive this year’s shirt? Get registered and start fundraising today!
First things first: Thank you! Your donation will count toward your child’s fundraising total, so they will be the one who earns the t-shirt. Want to make sure you receive one? Register to walk alongside them, make a donation of $50 or more, and the shirt is all yours on walk day!
We do! Simply bring it with you to the walk or contact your local Best Buddies office. Online donations are the easiest and safest, most secure way to give to Best Buddies, but either way — you’re making a difference!
Absolutely! Volunteers are vital to the success of the Friendship Walk, whether it’s assisting with event planning, day-of support, and more. Want to sign up to volunteer? Contact your local Best Buddies staff member — scroll up on the page one section to find more information!
Service animals are always welcome at the Friendship Walk! However, the allowance of other pets depends on the specific venue. For more information regarding bringing non-service animals, please reach out to your local Best Buddies staff member.
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