Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Orange County
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
April 19, 2025
9:00 AM | Mission Viejo
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.
Parking:
Please use the Pike Parking Garage (65 S. Cedar Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802). It is about a 10-minute walk from where we set up the starting line, tents, stage, etc. It is $9 for 2:30-4 hours. For closer ADA parking, there are limited unreserved metered spots at Pierpoint Landing (200 Aquarium Way).
Food & Drink:
We will have water, fruit, pastries, and pizza.
Accessibility:
We will have two Kulture City sensory bags available for those with sensory sensitivities. The bags include headphones, fidget toys, and a visual cue card.
Use this section to insert custom content.
Emcee: Garin Flowers
Schedule
April 19, 2025
Check-in: 9:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 10:00 AM
Walk: 10:30 AM
Celebrate Until: 12:00 PM
Location
Trabuco Hills High School
27501 Mustang Run
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Event Contact
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.
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.
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
Best Buddies in Orange County
15251 Barranca Parkway, Irvine CA 92618
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