Best Buddies Friendship Walk: North Jersey
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Spring 2025 - Date TBD
12:00 PM | South Orange, NJ
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Friendship Walk! Through your amazing efforts, we raised vital funds and awareness to sustain and expand our local Best Buddies programs. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event. With your support, our mission of friendship and inclusion is stronger than ever!
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Join more than 50,000 participants at 80 events across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time.
Volunteers Needed! Interested in volunteering at the Friendship Walk? Please email NorthJersey@bestbuddies.org.
Important Event Information:
- Registration: All event attendees MUST register. It is very helpful for our planning team if you register in advance, however, if you cannot register before the event, please visit the registration tent once you arrive to register onsite.
- Weather: This is entirely outdoor event will be taking place in the rain or shine, so please come prepared with sunscreen or rain boots and umbrellas!
- T-Shirt Pick-Up: Every registered walker who raised $50 or more, gets a Friendship Walk t-shirt! You can pick up your t-shirt after checking in on event day.
- Route Details: The Friendship Walk route is a roughly 15-minute wheel-chair accessible stroll around campus
- Food: A light lunch will be available for free to all registered walkers and volunteers.
- Activities: You can enjoy face painting, inflatables, haircuts, music, Zumba, yard games, and more at our event!
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed on campus but must be leashed, and owners must pick them up after their dogs.
Parking Information:
Free and available in Lot A or the Parking Garage on campus; just let the security gate know you are there for The Best Buddies Friendship Walk! For more information regarding public transportation or what else is in the area, click here.
Check-in and registration tables will be set up the Bishop Dougherty University Center side on The Green.
Schedule
Spring 2025 – Date TBD
Check-in: 12:00 PM
Opening Ceremonies: 12:30 PM
Walk: 1:00 PM
Celebrate Until: 3:00 PM
Location
The Green at Seton Hall University
400 S Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
Event Contact
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Fundraising Rankings
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
Below are the rankings of the top 100 individuals and teams for this year’s event.
Supporting Local Programs
Funds raised through the Friendship Walk benefits Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
JessicaTippmann@bestbuddies.org
Best Buddies in New Jersey PO Box 5382, Clinton, NJ, 08809
Frequently Asked Questions
Every person who raises $50 or more will receive the official Best Buddies Friendship Walk t-shirt on walk day. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting a more inclusive world and going the extra mile! Want to make sure you receive this year’s shirt? Get registered and start fundraising today!
First things first: Thank you! Your donation will count toward your child’s fundraising total, so they will be the one who earns the t-shirt. Want to make sure you receive one? Register to walk alongside them, make a donation of $50 or more, and the shirt is all yours on walk day!
We do! Simply bring it with you to the walk or contact your local Best Buddies office. Online donations are the easiest and safest, most secure way to give to Best Buddies, but either way — you’re making a difference!
Absolutely! Volunteers are vital to the success of the Friendship Walk, whether it’s assisting with event planning, day-of support, and more. Want to sign up to volunteer? Contact your local Best Buddies staff member — scroll up on the page one section to find more information!
Service animals are always welcome at the Friendship Walk! However, the allowance of other pets depends on the specific venue. For more information regarding bringing non-service animals, please reach out to your local Best Buddies staff member.
Best Buddies does not sell, share, or rent personal information collected through our website’s registration or donation forms. For more information, visit bestbuddies.org/privacy-policy