Amy Trelle, director of development and events for the Skechers Foundation, told the commission on Nov. 3 that the 17th annual Skechers Friendship Walk on Oct. 19 had a strong turnout and that the foundation’s national fundraising total currently stands at just over $3.3 million.
Trelle said Hermosa has a City team participating for the second year, and the Hermosa site serves as the turnaround for the walk. She noted the foundation provides local scholarship grants and direct program support; last year the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation received $269,812 from the walk’s giving.
Trelle said organizers work to reduce single‑use plastics at the turnaround, and that partners such as Cal Water provided refill‑station systems. She raised an operational concern: Athens Services did not deliver requested trash containers to the Manhattan Beach staging site for two consecutive years, requiring organizers to hand‑deliver cardboard boxes and liners to Hermosa; she asked staff for help arranging reliable receptacle delivery for future events.
Trelle also noted a surprise guest — professional athlete Clayton Kershaw — who participated in kickoff activities.
Sources: Nov. 3 Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission meeting transcript; organizer remarks.