Attainable, The ABLE Savings Plan offered by MEFA and managed by Fidelity, Announced as Presenting Sponsor for

2025 Boston Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Boston, MA, June 20, 2025 — Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce Attainable, The ABLE Savings Plan offered by MEFA and managed by Fidelity, as a Presenting Sponsor of the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: October 18 at Schrafft’s City Center in Charlestown, MA. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Boston is the latest life-changing movement. Since 2009 more than 350,000 participants have walked in over 70 cities and raised more than $30 million for Best Buddies. This year Best Buddies is hosting 80 walks and expecting over 50,000 walkers to attend.

“Our Friendship Walks are one of Best Buddies’ most celebrated events, bringing communities together where they can experience our mission in action and engage with our program participants,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “I am beyond grateful that the important work of this organization will continue, thanks to our participants, volunteers, partners and the entire community. I am confident that together we will continue empowering people with special abilities, connecting advocates and mobilizing our supporters to create a more inclusive world.”

“We’re proud to support Best Buddies and their efforts to create opportunities that make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families,” said Thomas Graf, Executive Director of MEFA. “Our shared mission of fostering independence is the core of this partnership, and we’re honored to help empower more individuals to achieve their goals.”

Please join Best Buddies for a day of fun, family, wellness, and friendship. Best Buddies Massachusetts & Rhode Island is proud to have 1,000 participants lacing up their shoes to walk for inclusion, all working to surpass the 2025 fundraising goal of $110,000. Registration begins at 1:00 PM and the Walk commences at 2:30 PM at Schrafft’s City Center, 529 Main St, Boston, MA, 02129.

Proceeds from the Friendship Walk support state programs that provide one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living. These programs can be found in all 50 states and will create promising opportunities for more than 350,000 people this year.

Walk for inclusion. Walk for friendship. Walk for a better Boston.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:

Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to over 3,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 46 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.3 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies.

With an Attainable® Savings Plan (also known as an ABLE account), individuals with disabilities and their families can save for short and long-term disability expenses while keeping benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid.

For more information about the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Boston and/or media inquiries, please contact:

Katelyn Labarre
508-207-5261
KatelynLabarre@bestbuddies.org