TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hundreds of people spent their Saturday morning at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk to raise awareness, raise funds and help provide opportunities to those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Aldin Ross and his mother Tonya were among the crowd that showed up to help make a difference.

“When he was born, we were given so much negativity, and to know that there is a community, there is support and that you’re not doing it alone. No matter what others try to tell you, there is hope,” said Tonya.

Tonya came out to support Aldin, and the two have been attending these walks for 17 years.

“I was told that he wouldn’t be able to communicate, he wouldn’t be able to walk, he wouldn’t be able to feed himself, clothe himself, he does all those things. He’s awesome,” she said.

Best Buddies strives to help create a more accepting and inclusive community.

“Here at Best Buddies, our mission is to really end the isolation of those with IDD. So, we do that through five different mission pillars, we have our one-to-one friendships, our integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support,” said Alexis Waltzer, area director for Best Buddies in Tampa

“It gives back to the community and to people with disabilities and it shows the impact of all the chapters that we have in Tampa Bay and across the nation, because it’s one of the most wonderful things that we can do is bring back to the disability community,” said Kellie Howard, a global ambassador.

People set out on a walk, played games, danced, and helped make Tampa Bay more inclusive.

Joshua Felder joined Best Buddies when he was in middle school.

“I was once a shy boy who didn’t know much about the real world and just kept to myself and was kind of embarrassed, because finding out I had special needs before I knew it was autism and a lot of people bullied me because of that,” he said.

He said this organization has changed his life.

“It’s definitely helped me break out of my shell, and it’s definitely helped me discover my hidden talents. For example, I love dancing, if you didn’t know, I love to write, and I’m an actor,” Felder said.

All of the funds raised go towards the organization’s initiatives and to help offer opportunities.

“Don’t see us just for our disabilities, but rather for our unique abilities, and we’re pretty much trying to make this world more inclusive,” Felder said.

“Don’t knock them out, don’t count them out. They can do awesome things, they can do things, they have skills you don’t know about, they have God’s gifts that you don’t know about. He’s proven that to me time and again, every day,” Tonya Ross said.

To learn more or get involved with Best Buddies, click here.