Join us as we walk in support of Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion.
Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Minnesota
Saturday, May 22, 2021
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Virtual or In-Person Options
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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.
Two ways to join us on May 22nd!
Weaver Lake Park – Come experience the magic of the Best Buddies mission at our Friendship Walk event any time between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. The full experience can be completed in under an hour, with all the recommended and required COVID-19 guidelines in place. Safety is our number one priority so with this “rolling” event model we hope to eliminate large crowds gathering at certain times.
- Step 1: Park and check-in
- Step 2: Get your exclusive t-shirt (if you’ve raised over $50) and visit the Mission Tent to learn more about Best Buddies
- Step 3: Jam out to some tunes as you pass the DJ booth and snap a picture at the photobooth area
- Step 4: Step under the big balloon arch to officially start your Friendship Walk loop with surprise activities and guests along the way
- Step 5: Cross the finish line and do a celebratory dance because you just participated in a Best Buddies Friendship Walk to promote inclusion!
- Step 6: Grab a bottle of water, head to the food trucks for a snack, and you’ll be on your way
At Home – If you prefer to join us on Walk day from your own neighborhood or backyard, we invite you to tune into Opening Ceremonies on Facebook Live, snap a picture while you are out walking and tag @bestbuddiesmn so we can see how you are celebrating inclusion from home! No matter where you walk, you are creating a more inclusive world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by supporting the Best Buddies mission!
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact: kateynelson@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!
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
KateyNelson@bestbuddies.org
952-567-1423
Global Headquarters 100 SE 2nd ST., STE 2200, Miami, FL 33131
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.