Tommy Lasorda and Denise Austin to Appear at SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Presented by Kids Foot Locker on October 24, 2010
More Than $300,000 Has Already Been Raised for South Bay Schools and Children with Special Needs Through the Annual Charity Walk
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX), a global leader in footwear, today announced Tommy Lasorda, Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Hall of Fame Manager, will appear as a guest speaker during the opening ceremony for the 2010 SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, an annual charity event designed to raise money for South Bay schools and children with special needs. Lasorda is also a member of the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk advisory board. In addition, fitness celebrity and SKECHERS spokesperson Denise Austin will serve as host for the opening ceremony presentation on Sunday, October 24, 2010.
"The SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is a wonderful opportunity for the South Bay community to band together and we're thrilled to have Tommy Lasorda, a true sports icon, and a fitness pioneer like Denise Austin involved in this year's event," said Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. "Spending a Sunday morning walking with your family and friends is the perfect opportunity to do something healthy, while helping raise funds to benefit the South Bay community."
Last year's inaugural SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk raised more than $220,000 for South Bay education foundations and The Friendship Circle, a non-profit organization. Fundraising for the 2010 walk has already surpassed $300,000 and will continue until the October 24 event date.
"We're thrilled that the 2009 SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk generated such a large donation for these wonderful organizations, and we've already surpassed that amount for the 2010 walk," said Michael Greenberg. "At SKECHERS, we believe it's important for companies to give back; we created the SKECHERS Foundation to further our charitable goals as we continue to organize events like the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. In years to come, the SKECHERS Foundation will donate even more funds to non-profit organizations that are making a positive impact in communities across the United States and around the world."
Beginning at the Manhattan Beach Pier, the 3.4 mile walk route will travel to the Hermosa Beach Pier and back. With a variety of activities throughout the morning, the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is a fun-filled event for the entire family:
-- 8:00 am - Check-in and registration opens
-- 8:30 am - Sponsor exhibitions and Kid Zone activities
-- 9:30 am - Opening ceremony presentation with Tommy Lasorda and Denise
Austin
-- 10:00 am - Walk begins
-- 11:00 am - Finish line celebrations
In addition, the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit dance team will appear for a special performance and the Mira Costa High School Jazz Band and Drumline, along with the Hermosa Beach Middle School Band, will provide music. Immediately following the walk, the 20th annual World Famous Pumpkin Races will take place at the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Individuals, families, team leaders and team members can register online at www.Pier2Pierwalk.com or by mail for $25. Registration at the Manhattan Beach Pier on the day of the event is $30 and will be open from 8:00 am until 9:45 am. All registered walk participants will receive a commemorative SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk T-shirt and complimentary water and drinks will be provided along the walk route.
SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk donation funds will directly benefit the education foundations of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Palos Verdes, and Torrance. In addition, donations will support The Friendship Circle, a non-profit organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming: www.friendshipcirclesb.com.
The 2010 SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is presented by Kids Foot Locker. Additional sponsors include: Acuprint, Marc Steven Leather, Ross Stores, Waste Management, WSA (World Shoes + Accessories), Equinox, Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, Marshalls, Finish Line, Arrowhead, Chevron, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Michael Stars, Shoe Carnival and Shoebuy.com.
The SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is an extension of the SKECHERS Foundation, an organization that was founded to provide families around the world with the necessities and skills to succeed in life. Specifically, the SKECHERS Foundation funds tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide education and job training, shoes, clothing, fitness and nutrition guidance to communities in need.
For more information about the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, including registration details, sponsorship opportunities, or to make an online donation, please visit www.Pier2Pierwalk.com.
Source: SKECHERS USA, Inc.
Released Oct 13, 2010 • 6:57 pm EDT