Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Univ. of Dayton

University of Dayton Best Buddies Chapter to Host First Large-Scale Friendship Walk for Community

Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is thrilled to announce that the University of Dayton friendship chapter will host their first-ever, large-scale community Friendship Walk on Sunday, April 12, 2026, bringing together students and the community to celebrate inclusion for those with IDD.

Since 1995, the University of Dayton Best Buddies friendship chapter has rallied campus support through a small, chapter-only satellite walk. This year marks an exciting milestone: UD is hosting its first full-scale Best Buddies Friendship Walk which will be open to the entire community and designed to bring people together across the Miami Valley in a visible celebration of belonging.

The event welcomes any team or individual to participate, including schools, community groups, companies, local organizations, families, friend groups, and first-time walkers. Registration begins at 2:00 PM, and the walk will start at 2:30 PM at the Rec Plex on University of Dayton’s campus, located at 2 Evanston Avenue. The family-friendly celebration will include an opening ceremony with remarks, light bites, and fun activities for all ages, plus a special appearance by Miss Ohio Preteen for International United Miss, Autumn Ware.

“I’m looking forward to connecting with my community to show how important it is to be inclusive and supportive of everyone. Being part of Best Buddies makes me feel seen and accepted,” shares Autumn. Kiki Ware, Autumn’s mother, adds, “this is to promote inclusion in the Dayton community, not just for children with differences or autism, but for everyone. Inclusion benefits all of us.”

The event aims to raise $6,500 to help grow Best Buddies programs across greater Dayton, ensuring students with IDD in schools and the community continue to have access to friendships, leadership trainings, and inclusion. Locally, more than 3,800 individuals with IDD receive services through the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Best Buddies’ programming has grown by nearly 60% since 2020, increasing the need for funding to continue providing life-changing opportunities for those with disabilities.

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk of Dayton is made possible by generous local support from: Hanover Reserve Weddings & Events, The Pollock & Bhat Family, Parker Hannifin, The Lang Family, United Dairy Farmers, Wright-Patt Credit Union, Clark's Heating & Cooling, and additional community partners.

Walk to include. Walk for friendship. Walk for a more inclusive Dayton!

Links & Tags

University Of Dayton RecPlex

Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Univ. of Dayton is taking place at University Of Dayton RecPlex, which is located at 1 Evanston Ave in Dayton. University Of Dayton RecPlex - The Fitness & Recreation Complex (RecPlex) is centrally located on the University of Dayton campus at the corner of Evanston Ave and Keifaber St.