Best Buddies Friendship Walk making a difference in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Hundreds of students from all over Central Illinois joined in the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Edison Middle School in Champaign Thursday morning.
Best Buddies is an international non profit raising money and focusing on protecting students with special needs from isolation.
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'Our mission is to connect students with disability or different ability, also, with other students in the general area and the general classroom or in the community,' Mary Nada, a functional life teacher at Edison Middle School, said.
Three years ago, Nada had a huge role in getting her school and others involved.
'We wanted to join the Chicago and Normal walk, but we couldn't take our students or the buddies. It's hard for their families and for us, so we decided to do a small thing in here,' Nada said.
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That small thing ended up turning into nearly 150 people the first two years. And now, it's gotten even bigger, with more than 500 people this year.
'Inclusion is a big part of our community. And I didn't really realize that until I joined best buddies,' 8th Grader Mallory Borden said.
Borden has been part of best buddies for the past three years. She says the program has taught her a lot about herself and life.
'I can learn more about the diverse backgrounds and just like different abilities that people have. And it's just really interesting and it makes me feel really good that I'm able to help someone and just like, connect with them,' Borden said.
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Borden said the knowledge she's gained helps her spread the message to her friends and encourage them to join the program. Because for Nada, that's her mission.
'Teach them about Best Buddies and teach them about inclusion and how it's important for our community members and our students and and the area and just be aware of it,' Nada said.
The Best Buddies organization was able to meet their fundraising goal of $16,500. The money will go toward creating jobs for people with disabilities.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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