The SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk continues to move in winning ways, raising a record-breaking $1.1 million for education and children with special needs, according to a press release.

Co-sponsored by the SKECHERS Foundation and Nickelodeon, the 2014 Walk held last Sunday had more than 11,000 participants rallied along by celebrity supports, Ellen K, Brooke Burke-Charvet, and Tommy Lasorda.

“It’s my fourth time at the Walk, said Burke-Charvet, in attendance with her husband David Charvet and their four children, "and every year it’s incredible to see thousands of parents, neighbors and friends gathering for our kids.

“Of all my experiences with SKECHERS, this is one of the most inspiring," she said. "This day really makes me feel like we can all turn our hopes and dreams for our kids’ futures into a reality.”

This year’s event also marked the launch of the SKECHERS Foundation’s scholarship program; at the Walk, SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg announced that the Foundation's plans to donate more than $250,000 to deserving students across the country in 2015. 

Another first at this year's Walk with a Foundation collaboration with sponsor Steel Sports. The two teamed up for the Walk’s first-ever #P2PSteelSports Selfie Challenge in which for each photo posted on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, Steel Sports pledged $5 for the Walk.

Using the #P2PSteelSports hashtag, the challenge raised an additional $25,000 for The Friendship Circle and education foundations this year.

“The #P2PSteelSports Selfie Challenge was a great incentive to involve kids and teenagers in a way that’s familiar to them,” said Warren Lichtenstein, chairman and CEO of Steel Partners LLC. “Now we have lasting memories from the Walk that can be shared across social media platforms, and we raised even more money to support children with special needs and education."

“As a father and a friend, I firmly believe that every child deserves to live his or her life to the fullest, regardless of circumstance," said Greenberg. "And I’m thrilled to see that our kids now have more opportunities to learn, thrive and make lifelong friendships because of this event.

“Organizations like The Friendship Circle, which transforms the lives of children with special needs, and nurtures their friendships with teen volunteers – these kinds of memories last a lifetime. The extent of all their activities –from the programs at school, at home, field trips to sporting events, and across the community – they’re unparalleled. They’re giving these wonderful children a strong sense of self-worth and belonging that has been long needed.

“Supporting The Friendship Circle and directly funding much-needed education programs sends a clear message – we’re all committed to investing in our most important and beloved asset: our children," he said. "

And with this largest-ever donation to date, I’m thankful and thrilled by all the great ways that we’ll be able to support The Friendship Circle and our schools in the coming years.”

Celebrity supports ate the event included Ellen K of the globally syndicated On Air with Ryan Seacrest radio show; Brooke Burke-Charvet, actress, model and long-time supporter of SKECHERS; Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda, a member of the Pier to Pier Walk’s Board of Directors who has appeared every year of the Walk’s history; and The X-Factor Season 3 trio Sweet Suspense, who made their first appearance at the Walk to perform the national anthem.

Now the largest event supporting education and children with special needs, the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk has broken fundraising records every year since its 2009 launch.

The Walk has raised more than $4 million to support The Friendship Circle, an organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming – as well as funding education foundations to retain vital academic programs, maintain smaller class sizes, improve libraries, and upgrade school technology.

The SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk thanks presenting sponsor Nickelodeon and many generous sponsors including Steel Sports, The Claudette and Ethan Rickett Care Foundation, Wells Fargo, Shorewood Realtors, Ross, Zappos.com, DIRECTV, Body Glove, Amazon Fashion, Kids Foot Locker, United Legwear, JAKKS Pacific, Marshalls, Cushman & Wakefield, Caskey & Caskey, Siltanen & Partners Advertising, Continental Development, Northrop Grumman, Equinox, Michael Stars, Chevron, and many others who have contributed funds and support to provide a better future for children.

Information about the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is available online and on Facebook.

The SKECHERS Foundation was established to provide families around the world with the necessities and skills to succeed in life. In addition to organizing the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, the SKECHERS Foundation funds tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide education and job training, shoes, clothing, fitness and nutrition guidance to communities in need.

The Friendship Circle is a non-profit organization that assists children with special needs and their families through one-on-one peer mentoring and social recreational programming.

SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX), based in Manhattan Beach, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle footwear for men, women and children, as well as performance footwear for men and women. SKECHERS footwear is available in the United States via department and specialty stores, company-owned SKECHERS retail stores and its e-commerce website, and in over 100 countries and territories through the company’s international network of subsidiaries in Canada, Brazil, Chile, Japan, and across Europe, as well as through joint ventures in Asia and distributors around the world.