This spring, the Best Buddies Friendship Walk returns to Concord on Saturday, May 9. The event is part of a worldwide effort that brings local communities together to build inclusion and connection.
The event will be held at State House Plaza, located at 107 North Main Street, with check in beginning at 9:15 a.m. Opening ceremonies and the walk will follow at 10 a.m., with a post walk celebration continuing until 2 p.m.
The Concord walk is part of a larger global movement. More than 50,000 participants take part in similar events across 80 locations worldwide, all supporting Best Buddies programs that promote inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
A Walk Focused on Connection
The one mile route through Concord is designed to be accessible, allowing individuals, families, school groups, and businesses to participate together. The goal is less about distance and more about visibility, showing support for a more inclusive community.
As of April 26, the Concord event has raised more than $92,000 toward a $150,000 goal, reflecting strong local engagement with the organization’s mission.
Participants can register, donate, or volunteer, with fundraising incentives available at different levels. A $50 donation includes an event t-shirt, while higher tiers offer additional items such as apparel, backpacks, and wireless earbuds.
The Impact Behind the Event
Best Buddies International operates as a nonprofit focused on ending the social, physical, and economic isolation experienced by people with IDD. The organization serves individuals with conditions such as Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X syndrome, and other developmental disabilities, along with their families.
Its work extends far beyond a single annual event.
Through its one-to-one friendship programs, Best Buddies connects individuals with and without IDD, helping to build relationships that can be difficult to form in traditional social settings. These connections often begin in schools and continue into adulthood.
The organization also focuses on employment. Its jobs program helps individuals with IDD secure meaningful work, earn income, and gain independence. For many participants, this represents a critical step toward long term stability.
Leadership development is another key area, with programs designed to empower individuals to become advocates and public speakers within their communities. The goal is not only inclusion, but representation.
Additional initiatives support independent living and provide resources for families navigating the challenges that can come with supporting a loved one with IDD.
Local Involvement Driving Momentum
The Concord walk highlights how these broader efforts take shape at a local level.
Top fundraisers and teams already reflect a mix of individuals, schools, and businesses contributing to the cause. Groups such as Merrimack High School, Core Medical Group, and community-based teams like Emily’s Elites are among those helping drive fundraising efforts.
That local participation is a key part of what makes the event meaningful. While Best Buddies operates on a global scale, its impact is often felt most directly through community based involvement.
How to Get Involved
The Friendship Walk is open to all, whether participants are walking, volunteering, or supporting the event through donations.
For many, it serves as an entry point into the organization’s broader work. For others, it is a chance to reconnect with a mission they already support.
More information, including registration and donation options, is available at bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/concord.
