2022 TasteBuds Program Book

one person can make.

Celebrate the difference

Dear Friends,

I am thrilled to welcome you to Tastebuds. After two and a half years of virtual events, we are back in person, reinvigorated by the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated in schools across the state. In just the last 10 weeks, we have opened 11 new school chapters! As always, our goal is to end the social, physical and economic isolation of people with IDD by providing opportunities for friendship and leadership development, making students feel valued.

This year, Best Buddies turns its spotlight on our schools and their programs. Our programs are the heart and soul of Best Buddies and it is where we see our mission being put to use every day. Today, Best Buddies’ programs engage participants in all 50 states and 55 countries. Our impact in Pennsylvania continues to grow with Chapters now open in 165 schools across the state, impacting an estimated 70,000 people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities statewide.

I extend a special thank you tonight to all of our sponsors, including our presenting sponsors, BNY Mellon and Qintel. Our heartfelt thanks also go out to our advisory board members and committee members who have helped make this event an extraordinary success. Our six Champions have worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies. They demonstrate the true spirit of giving.

Finally, tonight would not be possible without our chefs. Over the last three years, our chefs and restaurants have endured so many trials, yet they continued to show up for their buddies and support our mission of inclusion for people with IDD. We are constantly blown away by your generosity and it is a joy to see our chef and sous chef buddies grow their friendships each year.

On behalf of more than 1.2 million people impacted annually by Best Buddies, thank you for supporting our important work. I hope you have an amazing evening and continue to be inspired, as I am, by the combined efforts that have made Tastebuds a record-breaking success this year.

With thanks for your generosity,

Hilary Stephens State Director, Pennsylvania, Best Buddies International

Meet the Staff

Hilary Stephens | State Director

Samantha Civitate | Development Director

Marissa Klees | Director of Programs and Operations

Samantha Mildner | Deputy Director of Programs and Operations

Megan Rodgers | Program Manager of Mission Expansion; Western PA

Carol Pratt | Program Manager of Mission Expansion; Eastern PA

Honorary Chair - Jess Iacullo

Emcee - Kelly Frey

For the past 25 years, I have had the incredible privilege to be invited into your home every morning… through your TV screen. Now, our next chapter together begins as I have the opportunity to work alongside you in person! Having extensively modified our own home in 2015 to accommodate Bennett’s severe disabilities, I am intimately familiar with details

Auctioneer - Matt Newsom

Many

To the TasteBuds Planning Committee: For their commitment to making 2022 TasteBuds our best event yet!

Big Thanks

To Our Sponsors

The Lynches Seymour Gielarowski Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

Meet Our Champions

Albrecht

Powell Rachel Gordon

Joe O’Brien

Ryan Wirth

Megan Defebo

David Plowden

Chefs

Olivia Decks & Jamika Borges

Niven Sabherwal & Alex Novak

Allegheny Coffee and Tea Exchange - Alex Novak & Niven Sabherwal

Alta Via - Dustin Gardner & Kaitlyn Anderson

Apteka - Helenka Foley & Kate Laskey

Bar Marco - Justin Steel & Andrew Duch

Cioppino - Teresa Plunkett & RC Carter

Commonplea Catering - Steve Lanzilotti & Kate Efkeman

DiAnoia’s Eatery - Megan Dulski & Dave Anoia

Eddie Merlot’s - Jeff Maag & Chris Lofink

Field Day - John Mozeik & Joey Hilty

Forno Brenci - Kaitlyn Moffitt & Daniele Brenci

Gussys -Scott Walton & Dante Santella

Iron Born - Dale Johnston & Pete Tolman

Kindred Curl - Maria Rajakovich & Meghann Walsh

Levy Resteraunts - Julia Kalunzy & Dominique Carnovale Metcalfe

Madeleine - Corradina Squiteri & Andrew Stump

Meat and Potatoes - Taylor Edgar & Aaron Gottesman

Millies Ice Cream - Chad Townsend & Matthew Carroll

Moonlit Burger - Tommy Kreutzer & Derek Stevens

Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group - David Wirth & Wyatt Lash

Sausalido Bistro - Nick Mineo & Stephen Liebrock

Scratch and Co - Kallie McCarthy & Don Mahaney

The Vandal - Cory Kubiak & Chris Carpellotti

Walnut 424 - James Zipparo & Emily Zipparo

A Big Thanks

to our participating Restaurants

Together we can

UPMC Health Plan is proud to support Best Buddies.

UPMC Health Plan is proud to support Best Buddies. upmchealthplan.com

upmchealthplan.com

Together we can do great things

do great things

Making the world a more beautiful place is not just our job. It’s our passion.

mission

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Q U E N C H I N G T H E T H I R S T O F O U R N E I G H B O R S

A B A R T A C o c a C o l a B e v e r a g e s i s t h e e x c l u s i v e d i s t r i b u t o r o f C o c a C o l a b e v e r a g e s t h r o u g h o u t m o s t o f P e n n s y l v a n i a , i n c l u d i n g P i t t s b u r g h , E r i e , J o h n s t o w n , A l t o o n a , H a r r i s b u r g , L a n c a s t e r , R e a d i n g , M t P o c o n o , t h e L e h i g h V a l l e y , a n d p a r t s o f W e s t V i r g i n i a a n d O h i o W e m a y s p a n h u n d r e d s o f m i l e s , b u t w e c o n t i n u e t o b u i l d o u r b u s i n e s s o n e c u s t o m e r a t a t i m e . T a s t e t h e f e e l i n g t r u e p a r t n e r s h i p c a n b r i n g .

A B A R T A C O C A C O L A . C O M

F A M I L Y - O W N E D , C O M M U N I T Y P R O U D

StepOne Neurodiversity Services congratulates all the 2022 Best Buddies Champion of the Year Nominees! Wishing everyone a great evening at the return of TasteBuds!

StepOne supports Best Buddies Pennsylvania, its mission and its important role in our community!

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