Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Washington
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
May 17th, 2025
10:00 AM | Issaquah, WA
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.
Get Ready for a Day of Fun!
Join us for an exciting day filled with music, dancing, and lots of activities! This year’s celebration features a live DJ, arts & crafts, face painting, delicious Starbucks coffee & treats, tasty snacks, pizza, and the Sugar & Spoon ice cream truck. There will also be special appearances by firefighters, Stormtroopers, and more surprises!
The event is free to attend, and your registration grants you all-day access to Cougar Mountain Zoo. However, registration is required.
Parking Info:
On-site parking can fill up quickly, so we’ve arranged shuttle service between the Issaquah Transit Center and Cougar Mountain Zoo, running every 20 minutes from 9:30 AM – 2 PM. We encourage carpooling, and please consider dropping off guests with mobility challenges at the zoo before parking at the Transit Center and catching the shuttle.
We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s make this final week count—reach out, fundraise, share, and show up to walk for friendship, inclusion, and advocacy.
Prizes/recognition:
Top Individual Fundraisers*:
• Best Buddies swag with Hydroflask, BB sticker, wristband & treats
• Top Fundraiser sash + special recognition button
• Ice cream cone from Sugar & Spoon
• Framed certificate of appreciation
Top Fundraising Teams*:
• Best Buddies swag bag with stickers, and recognition buttons for all team members
• 3 sets of thunder sticks + 3 hand-held team name signs
• Group photo + framed certificate
• $100 gift card for a team celebration (F&F & Corporate teams)
• Ice Cream Social at your school + chance to silly-string the State Director (School team)
(*Based on funds raised by 10:30AM on Walk Day!)
Schedule
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
Shuttle from Transit Center begins: 9:30 AM
Check-in: 10:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 10:30 AM
Walk: 10:50 AM
Celebrate Until: 1:00 PM
Last shuttle to Transit Center 2:00 PM
Location
Cougar Mountain Zoo
19525 SE 54th St,
Issaquah, WA 98027
Parking: Issaquah Transit Center
Shuttle Service Provided:
1050 17th Ave NW
Issaquah, WA 98027
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.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
Best Buddies in Washington
3120 139th Ave SE,
Unit 5-112
Bellevue, WA 98005
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