Best Buddies to Hold Friendship Walk

By KATE PIERCE
Staff Writer

The Saint Rose chapter of Best Buddies will participate in the annual Friendship Walk from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 17 at Crossgates Mall.
The walk aims to raise awareness and funds for the Best Buddies organization. Best Buddies facilitates one-to-one friendships and other opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
While many of the people who walk are a part of a Best Buddies chapter, it’s not a requirement to participate.
“It’s open to everybody,” said Hannah Conroy, president of the Saint Rose chapter. “It’s open to the public so anybody can come - any family members or friends who want to come too.”
Upwards of a thousand people have attended the event in past years. This includes members from Best Buddies chapters at the collegiate, high school, and middle school level from around the state. This year the Saint Rose chapter has 54 members including associate members and buddy-pairs, and most of them will be attending.
“The actual walk is one lap around the mall, and there are all sorts of speeches,” said Conroy. “Last year there was a DJ who’s a radio host. There’s also a scavenger hunt in the mall, so it’s not just a walk. It’s so much more. ”
The walk has a different theme every year that participants can dress up for if they choose. This year’s theme is “Decades of Friendship.” The whole chapter can choose a decade or iconic group from a decade to dress up as, or individual buddy pairs can dress up to their own theme. The Saint Rose chapter is dressing up as characters from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The fundraising goal of $85,000 for last year’s walk was met, so this year the goal was raised to $100,000. Contributors can fundraise personally, or as a chapter as a whole. There are also incentives for people and chapters who meet certain goals with their fundraising efforts.
“Last year was my first time at the walk, and from just being a part of the Saint Rose chapter I really didn’t have a grasp on, even in just New York, how huge of an impact this organization has,” said Conroy. “Seeing the mall packed full of people, it was insane - it was just amazing seeing the excitement and the cheering and everyone so passionate about the cause. It is definitely a very special and surreal experience.”
A Saint Rose freshman said that she joined Best Buddies to help others.
“I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up,” said Amanda Schafer. “So I wanted to be able to be there for someone else who needs a friend.”
Schafer and her buddy go to events together on and off campus, have lunch, and attend Best Buddies parties and programs.
Joy Hudspath, the community coordinator for the College Experience program, works closely with students involved with Best Buddies.
“Students in the College Experience want to feel a part of the Saint Rose community, and they want to make connections with other Saint Rose students,” said Hudspath. “Best Buddies serves as this bridge. It is a club where they know that they will be accepted and can meet and get to know other students. I would encourage students from all majors to learn more about Best Buddies and consider joining.”