Skechers walks its way past $1.2M charity goal

Skechers has surpassed its fundraising goal for special needs kids with an ever-popular event that appeals to its target market.

The Skechers Foundation announced that it has reached a new donation record for the 2015SkechersPier to Pier Friendship Walk, surpassing the retailer's $1.2 million goal to raise more than $1.4 million for children with special needs and education. According to Skechers, this year’s walk attracted more than 12,000 participants, and continues to reach new attendance and donation highs annually since its 2009 launch.

“The wave of support that climbs year after year in honor of our kids is incredible,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “When we started theSkechersPier to Pier Friendship Walk seven years ago, 1,800 of us hit the beach to raise $220,000 – and since then, our walkers have grown six-fold – with more than $5.5 million donated over the years, all dedicated to enrich and inspire our children.”

Celebrities turned out to support theSkechersPier to Pier Friendship Walk, including boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard in his first appearance at the event, as well as TV personality Brooke Burke-Charvet, fitness expert Denise Austin, and Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda, who have all made multiple appearances throughout its history.

“This event means that kids with special needs and students from kindergarten to high school are getting the care, support and nurturing they need to grow into inspired, enlightened, confident adults – and over seven years, we’re already seeing its long-term effects: from the lessons our kids have learned in classes that would have been shelved, to friendships that will last a lifetime,” Greenberg added. “This Walk and everything that it gives is a wonderful legacy – one we will share for years to come.”

Now one of the largest events in Southern California supporting children with special needs and education, theSkechersPier to Pier Friendship Walk supports the Friendship Circle, an organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming – as well as funding education foundations to retain vital academic programs, maintain smaller class sizes, improve libraries, and upgrade school technology.

Skechersfootwear is available in the United States and over 120 countries and territories worldwide via department and specialty stores, more than 1,210Skechersretail stores, and the company’s e-commerce website.