Sketchers hosts annual Pier-to-Pier walk

By Anna Real
Staff Writer

Sketchers hosted its annual Pier-to-Pier walk Oct. 26 to support the Friendship Circle, an organization that supports students with special needs, and other organizations.

This year’s event had over 12,000 participants and raised over $1 million for children with special needs and education in the South Bay. The walk, which started in 2010, was originally created to support the Friendship Circle. Now, the walk supports not only Friendship Circle, but also six education foundations around the South Bay.

“The walk is a great representation of how this community really comes together to show its support for our children,” Sketchers public relations representative Stacey Held said.

People participating in the walk can choose which program they want to donate to and support.

“The real goal is to make people more aware of these kids that struggle to fit in,” president of the Mira Costa Friendship Circle Club Adam Fox said. “It’s great to see who these kids really are. They are obviously different but strive to be like everyone else.”

The walk brought about sponsors like Body Glove, Fresh Brothers and Nickelodeon, who handed out free merchandise from their companies after the walk. Celebrities such as Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda and some members of the Los Angeles Galaxy came to support the walk.

“There were some really cool booths and good music that made it fun for everyone,” Friendship Circle Club member sophomore Frances Caflish said. “It was more fun for the kids and allowed me to get to know them better.”