Best Buddies is a new organization being introduced to West this year. The organization makes one-to-one friendships with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Schools all around the country are adopting this program into their schools.

On April 25th, a “friendship” walk will be held on the Illinois State University quad. Since 2009, more than 55,000 participants have walked in over 26 states and 3 countries, raising over 5 million dollars for Best Buddies.

Proceeds from the walk are important to getting the funding from the state to be able to create one-to-one friendships, leadership experiences, and job opportunities for people with IDDs.

The walk has a fundraising system with various prizes as incentives for people to raise money for the cause. The walk itself is free for anyone, but people are asked to raise a minimum of $50 to receive an event t-shirt.

The Normal West team has 14 members walking and has raised $575 out of their goal of $1000.

Supporter Virginia Dinges said, “I’m walking because it’s the right thing to do, it’s for a really good cause and I think it’s worth it. The walk should be a lot of fun. It’s free to do so we’re really encouraging people to come out and support.”

You can sign up for the walk at http://bit.ly/1CHGVCh . Registration begins at 11:45am and the walk begins at 1:30. Following after will be the festival. The event ends at 3pm. Come and support your fellow Wildcats and Best Buddies on April 25th!