Buddy Walk will benefit Bridge Program

Blessed by Downs will be holding a Buddy Walk in October that will benefit Nicholls’ Bridge to
Independence Students.

The Buddy Walk will take place in Peltier Park on Oct. 14 and will consist of 3k and 5k options.

Shelby King, senior and public relations major from Destrehan, explained that all proceeds collected
from the 5k walk will go toward the Bridge to Independence program.

SGA and SPA will be sponsoring 66 Nicholls students. Interested parties must sign up in the SGA office. If
66 students register, King explained that $2,000 will be automatically donated to the program.

Assistant Professor of Education, Dr. Mary Breaud, explained how important the walk is for the Bridge
students.

“The money raised will help to extend permanent internships and life skills,” said Breaud.

Last year was the first year that the Bridge students received donations from the Buddy Walk. They
collected $3,200, which benefited their program immensely.

Blessed by Downs is the only group in southeastern Louisiana that is allowed to host a local Buddy Walk.

The Buddy Walk proceeds will benefit the recent partnership with the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute
on campus. Breaud explained that, with the money they receive from the walk, they plan to purchase
tower herb gardens. These gardens will be grown, maintained and processed by Bridge students in the
culinary building.

The hope is that the students will eventually be able to sell the items made from the
herbs. Breaud also explained that this will help the bridge students with their “social skills and job
readiness skills”.

Those wishing to pre-register for the 5k will need to pay $30. On-site registration for the 5k will be $35.