Join us as we walk in support of Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion.
Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Minnesota
Saturday, May 21, 2022
9:00 AM | Maple Grove, MN
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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.
Come experience the magic of the Best Buddies mission at our Friendship Walk on May 21st! The Friendship Walk is a 1-mile, paved walking route that starts near the pavilion at Weaver Lake Community Park. We’ll kick the day off with Opening Ceremonies that include a warm-up from InControl MN, awards for Top Walkers and Teams, and some special guests, including Vikings Cheerleaders and Miss Minnesota USA.
After the walk, stay and enjoy our Party in the Park with music, dancing, yard games, a Vendor Expo, Pound sessions by Allyson Ashley, face painting, giveaways, Hula Hoop contests and more! Water, snacks, and a light lunch will be provided for every registered walker. Plus, don’t miss your chance to get a FREE JonnyPop while you’re there!
Important Event Information:
- Registration: All event attendees MUST register. If you are not registered prior to attending the event, please visit the registration tent once you arrive.
- Parking: Enter the park from Dunkirk Ln N and park in the large parking lot next to the park pavilion.
- T-Shirt Pick-Up: If you raise $50 or more, you can pick up your t-shirt at the Friendship Walk.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed at Weaver Lake Park but must be leashed and owners must pick up after their dog.
Interested in volunteering at the Friendship Walk? Sign up here!
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact: kateynelson@bestbuddies.org.
Thank You!!!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Friendship Walk! Because of you, we were able to raise funds to sustain and help expand our Best Buddies programs in the area. We look forward to having you at next year’s event. With your help and support, our mission of inclusion lives on!
Schedule
Saturday, May 21, 2022
9:00 AM – Registration Opens
10:15 AM – Opening Ceremonies
10:30 AM – 1-Mile Walk Begins
11:00 AM – Post-Walk Party in the Park
1:00 PM – Event Ends
Location
Weaver Lake Park
8401 Dunkirk Ln N
Maple Grove, MN 55311
(click map to enlarge)
Parking Information
The main parking lot entrance is on Dunkirk Lane N. If that parking lot is full, there is overflow parking near the Weaver Lake Playfields off of 82nd Ave N. From that lot, you can walk north on the path to the main event area near the park pavilion and playground. If the overflow lot is full, you can park at Weaver Lake Elementary School off Weaver Lake Rd N, which is a .5 mile walk west to the main event area.
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
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!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
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. Individual Walks will make a determination for the precautions taken. Please keep a lookout via email, social media and text message for updates to your Walk.
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.