Best Buddies Albany to Host Friendship Walk at Crossgates on May 21st
Guilderland, New York — Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is excited to announce the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Sunday, May 21st at Crossgates. Since 2009 more than 200,000 participants have walked in over 50 cities and raised more than $21 million for Best Buddies.
“Our Friendship Walks are one of Best Buddies most celebrated events, bringing communities together where they can experience our mission in action and engage with our program participants,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International.
Among those expected to attend this year include the 2023 Friendship Walk leader, Superbowl Champion, and Best Buddies advocate Dion Lewis.
Best Buddies in Albany is proud to have 500 (and counting) participants lacing up their shoes to walk for inclusion, all working to surpass the 2023 fundraising goal of $94,000. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Crossgates. Activities at the Friendship Walk include a dance party by DJ Ketchup, an ice cream eating contest, breakfast food and snacks, face painting, sensory-friendly arts & crafts, therapy dogs, lawn games, local mascots, community partners & resources and so much more.
Proceeds from the Friendship Walk benefit the Capital Regions’ local Friendship Programs, including the School Friendship Program with over 50 local school chapters and their adult-based Friendship Program, Citizens. The School Friendship Program focuses on creating inclusive classrooms and environments from the elementary level and up, with confidence that acceptance will become foundational as children grow older. Citizens aims to create friendships between people with and without an IDD who are over eighteen and may have aged out of our college programs.
The Friendship Walk is a family-friendly event and is free to attend, but pre-registering is required. Each registered walker who fundraises $50+ will receive a limited edition t-shirt during check-in on May 21st. You can register by visiting the link below:
https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/albany/register/
A special thank you to the 2023 Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Albany’s sponsors: Crossgates | Sunmark Federal Credit Union | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blake, Realtors | NYSID | Social Radiant | Educational Vistas | Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC | Stewart’s Shops | Times Union | Jack Farrell & Associates.
For more information about the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Albany and/or media inquiries, please contact:
Kate Nitti, Deputy Director of Development
https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/albany/
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ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and college Friendship and Promoter chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, and Inclusive Living— engage participants in each of the 50 states and 56 countries and territories, positively impacting the lives of over 1.3 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live independently, become inspirational leaders, and build lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
About Crossgates:
Crossgates is the Capital Region’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination offering an impressive selection of national brands and the newest retail concepts. The center is anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Best Buy, while offering more than 180 retail shops, including Apple. Crossgates offers 10 entertainment venues and over 20 on-site eateries, such as Dave & Buster’s, Get Air, Billy Beez, Apex Entertainment, The Standard Restaurant & Lounge, Maggie McFly’s and Regal Cinemas with IMAX. Or simply relax at our award-winning day spa, Spa Mirbeau. Located adjacent to a dual-branded 192-room Homewood Suites and Tru by Hilton hotel, Crossgates is your destination to EAT. SHOP. PLAY. STAY. Additional information regarding Crossgates can be found at shopcrossgates.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About Pyramid Management Group, LLC:
Pyramid Management Group, owner of Crossgates, is one of the largest, most innovative, privately-held real estate developers in the northeast. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, Pyramid’s portfolio of dynamic shopping, dining and entertainment destinations and expanding hospitality presence dominate the northeast with 14 properties located throughout New York and Massachusetts. For nearly 50 years, Pyramid has built its reputation on being first, fast, ahead of the curve and always what’s next, leading the industry in combining the best elements of traditional retail with world-class dining and entertainment, all under one roof. For more information, visit www.pyramidmg.com.