Welcome to the Best Buddies Missouri Champion of the Year Gala! We are so thrilled to have you with us tonight as we celebrate the remarkable individuals who have dedicated their time, passion, and energy to creating a more inclusive world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Tonight, we come together not only to recognize our inspiring Champions, but also to raise awareness and support for Best Buddies’ life-changing programs Your presence here makes an incredible difference in empowering friendships, job opportunities, and leadership development for so many across the state of Missouri
Thank you for joining us on this journey and for being a part of this impactful evening. Let’s celebrate, connect, and continue making Missouri a place where everyone belongs.
In Friendship,
Tim Bommarito State Director, Best Buddies Missouri
Thank You Thank You Thank You
Event Volunteers
Alyssa Busche
Tessa Clark
Nancy Cripe
Shannon Ford
Mackenzie Heine
Pat Imig
Katie Janssen
Ayla Kim
Mikala McGhee Bass
Liv Mendoza
Idallas Quinones
Cara Sapienza
Ethan Schroeder
Mia Pruzin
Mitchell Norman
Thank You Thank You Thank You
A group of leaders in our community who work with local staff to raise funds and awareness and advance the mission of Best Buddies in Missouri.
Devin DeStefano, Board Chair
Edward Jones
Ann Hawkey
Special School District of St. Louis County
Ryan Olsen
First Bank
Mikala McGhee Bass KSDK, SSM Health
Bid From the Heart
The Value of Your Donation
Best Buddies helps individuals form meaningful friendships, secure competitive jobs, live more independently, and improve self-advocacy skills. Learn more about how your donation can fuels Best Buddies’ life-changing work
$5,000
• Give the gift of friendship. Bring together people with and without IDD for friendships that foster community-wide social inclusion, by funding a new school, citizens, or corporate chapter in the Best Buddies Friendship program.
$2,500
• Fund an all-day Ambassador training session for up to fifty (50) people with and without IDD, where attendees will gain speaking skills and confidence needed to champion inclusion throughout their community.
$1,000
• Give a student leader, Ambassador, or Jobs participant the opportunity to attend the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University. BBLC brings together participants and volunteers from around the world, empowering them with the skills and resources to create inclusive schools, workplaces, and communities
$500
• Host a Citizens event for adults with and without IDD, bringing together up to fifty (50) people for friendship and connection.
• Provide shirts for fifty (50) BBLC attendees to show their Missouri pride at the annual conference.
$250
• Transportation for at least two (2) Ambassadors to make public appearances and deliver their speeches to schools or at other community events.
$100
• Fund a pizza party or other fun activity for a school Friendship chapter.
2023 Champion of the Year
2024 Champion Candidates
How to Bid
Register: Text MOCOY24 to 76278.
Bid: Browse the Silent Auction and place your bids.
Donate: Make a gift in support of your favorite Champion!
Event Entertainment
Cory, or DJ Shay, brings energy and joy to your party! Not only does he make sure the music is perfect behind the booth but, as a trained dancer, he is also eager to get out there and dance with you and all of your guests!
illumiwear products perfectly blend technology and fashion with design and function. They allow you to stand apart from the crowd while at the same time bringing you together for a shared experience
Since 2014, Superior Industrial Coatings (aka SIC Midwest) has been learning and developing skills and products to provide school districts and commercial facilities affordable options to maintain their buildings.
Thank you to our friends at GRS for your continued support of Best Buddies!
Tim Bommarito, State Director
Megan Derosier, Deputy Director of Programs
Jocelyn Bosch, Senior Program Manager
MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER BESTBUDDIES.ORG/MISSOURI
