SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Raises More Than $380,000 for South Bay Schools and Children with Special Needs
More than 4,000 Walkers Participated in the Annual Charity Event Benefiting South Bay Education Foundations and the Friendship Circle Non-Profit Organization
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX), a global leader in footwear, today announced that more than $380,000 in donations were raised to support South Bay schools and children with special needs at the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk presented by Kids Foot Locker on Sunday, October 24, 2010. More than 4,000 participants joined community leaders and special guests at the Manhattan Beach Pier including Tommy Lasorda, Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Hall of Fame Manager; fitness icon Denise Austin; Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery; and SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg.
Los Angeles Dodgers Advisor Tommy Lasorda, SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg, and Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery at the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, which raised more than $380,000 for education and children with special needs. (Photo: Business Wire)
"We are awed and inspired by the generous spirit of the South Bay community, which banded together to raise a tremendous amount of funds for education and children with special needs," said Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. "The 2009 inaugural SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk raised more than $220,000 and this year's event was even more successful, surpassing $380,000, with more donations still coming in. At SKECHERS, we believe anything is possible when individuals join together in the spirit of giving, and we're proud to be a part of this amazing community."
"The SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has made such a positive impact in the South Bay, and we're thrilled that this annual event has grown so much in just one year," said Richard Montgomery, mayor of Manhattan Beach. "The SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is a prime example of how even a small donation can make a huge impact when the entire community joins together to support a wonderful cause. We're grateful that a successful local company like SKECHERS has stepped up to raise critical funds for our schools and The Friendship Circle organization; they are the perfect example of a true public/private partnership with the city."
Baseball legend Tommy Lasorda made a special appearance at the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk opening ceremony to rally the crowd, and commended SKECHERS and the walk participants on their dedication to give back to the community. In addition, fitness pioneer Denise Austin brought her infectious energy to the stage, and performances from the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit dance team, music from school bands, and several local cheerleading squads added to the lively atmosphere.
SKECHERS and event sponsors covered all production costs for the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, allowing the donations received to directly benefit the education foundations of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Palos Verdes and Torrance. In addition, donations 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.
Businesses that sponsored the 2010 SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk include presenting sponsor Kids Foot Locker, 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 and sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 walk, or to make an online donation, please visit www.Pier2Pierwalk.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6487258&lang=en
Source: SKECHERS USA, Inc.
Released Oct 28, 2010 • 12:00 pm EDT