Best Buddies Walk strolls through Cranston
Despite Saturday’s bleak forecast, Rhode Island’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk was not lacking in numbers. Hundreds of walkers made their way around the track at Brayton Avenue Park to raise awareness and funds for the organization.
“I know a lot of people were probably hesitant about coming out, but that’s the thing we love about Best Buddies – our members are very dedicated,” event organizer Matthew Netto said. “They showed up in force today to celebrate.”
Best Buddies, as an organization, helps to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through one-on-one friendships, leadership development, and integrated job opportunities. The proceeds from Saturday’s Friendship Walk, and many other events like it around the country, make it possible for individuals with IDD to become independent and valued members of society.
Events like this also allow participants to see the bonds and one-on-one friendships formed because of Best Buddies, like the one between Sam Silva and Leah Motta – who’ve been buddies for nearly a year now.
“My buddy is really nice,” Silva said. “She kind of reminds me of myself. She’s very similar to me, so I think it was a great match.”
Motta and Silva have done a range of activities together, like bowling or pottery, but they enjoy going to the movies the best.
“We both really like movies, so we’ve been to the movies a lot,” Leah said. “We try to get a variety of films.”
Motta said they’ve seen both Trolls and Transformers, along with various others. They both said they plan to add to their eclectic mix of films.
Motta said she joined Best Buddies after being asked by her friend’s older sister, who as the president at Cumberland High School chapter at the time, was actively looking to get more people involved. Since joining, Motta said it’s a decision she’s never regretted.
“It’s a really awesome program,” Motta said. “It’s introduced me to a lot of new things, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Being involved has also been a rewarding experience for Silva as well, who said she’s gotten a lot out of Best Buddies.
“I’m very grateful for my friends,” Silva said. “I love meeting new people.”
Cumberland High School, one of many schools to attend the walk on Saturday, helped to fundraise nearly $1,500 for the walk through a color run last week, according to group advisor and special education teacher Susan Maria.
“It’s been a really positive thing for our school and the kids that are involved,” Maria said.
Members as well as sponsors enjoyed themselves at the festivities. Dawn Arpin and Barbra Placideo of BlumShapiro, one of the major sponsors of the event, said the company has been very involved with the organization for the past several years. The walk allowed them to see what kind of a difference their sponsorship can make.
“We believe in giving back to the community and this is just the perfect way to do it,” Arpin said.
Participants were able to enjoy food and concessions, as well as entrainment at the event – including as surprise performance from Johnny Gates, a Rhode Island native who preformed on the past season of “The Voice.”
“A good buddy of mine just sent me some information about what Best Buddies was and what was going on, and immediately I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Gates said. “I’m just very thankful to be here. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
The event was originally meant to include a softball tournament as well, but due to inclement weather that dispersed the event around noon, the games had to be rescheduled for another day. Netto is currently working with the City of Cranston to pick a rain date.
From the Best Buddies Friendship Walk alone, Netto said they’ve already raised more than $50,000.
