Do you remember trying to find a lunch table in Middle School or High School? Now imagine you look, act or sound differently than everyone else. Even tougher, right? Best Buddies makes sure everyone feels like they belong. Will you help us build a world of inclusion for people of all abilities?
Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaign. Our Champions advocate for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development. Tonight, we honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year! We also honor YOU, because simply by being here, you are now part of our mission and can impact the people in your world.
Best Buddies envisions a world where people with IDD are successfully integrated into every community and our programs are no longer needed We want to show the world that people with disabilities deserve respect and you can help us achieve our goals through your donation Thank you for being here and for your support of Best Buddies!
In friendship.
Linda Kordek Milton State Director, Texas
How to Bid
Register:
PHOTO CAN GO HERE
Text CentralTXCOY to 76278 or Scan the QR Code
Donate:
Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278)
*You can bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered
Cocktails, Dinner, Bid and Mingle
Welcome Program
Legacy Award: Laura Avery
Introduce Champions and Mission Partners
8:00pm Silent Auction Closes
Live Auction
Speakers: Livi Fitzgerald and Will Suter
Mission Moment
Bid from the Heart
Raffle Drawing
Announcement of Grand Champion
9:15pm Checkout/ DJ and Dancing
Candidates
Team Fitz
Tasha Johnson
Katie Spier Chelsea Whitehead
Mission Partners
Chris Ru
Emma Bredemeier
Will Suter
Mimi Spier
Live Auction
Enjoy a dozen of Kate's famous Gluten Free Cowgirl Cookies Tableside during the event program tonight.
A Dream dessert to top off a dreamy evening!
Orcas, Belugas and Dolphins, Oh My!
But that's not all... this excuse to get out of town includes a 2 night stay at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, TX and four (4) tickets to SeaWorld San Antonio Hyatt: Subject to availability, blackout dates include but not limited to Memorial Day weekend, summer weekends and Labor Day weekend. Reservations must be made in advance. Expires 11/30/25 For a full day of family fun, these Four (4) SeaWorld San Antonio one-day admission tickets include all rides, shows, and attractions! Tickets cannot be exchanged for any other United Parks and Resorts tickets, do not include access to Aquatica or include parking. Expires 9/28/25.
Live Auction
A One Night Stay at the Four Seasons Austin in a One Bedroom Suite with Dinner for Two at Ciclo
The Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, commonly known as Pappy Van Winkle 10 Year, is a highly soughtafter bourbon noted for its rich flavors and refined profile.
Enjoy a weekend on Lake Travis! This home has 4 bedrooms featuring 2 king bedrooms, 1 bunk room (sleeps 5-8 with trundles), and a room with 2 twin beds and a set of bunk beds (Sleeps 13-17).
Enjoy pool and outdoor grilling area, plus great sunset views of Lake Travis.
Access to the lake and boat dock directly from the back yard. Includes a $250 gift card to Lakeway Marina (1 block from house) to rent paddles boards, a ski boat or pontoon boat on Lake Travis. *Boat/Water vehicles not included.
Live Auction
$2000 towards a custom piece of jewelry with Shaesby Designs and a $300 Gift Card to Tecovas Boots
Private Helicopter Ride
Soar to new heights with this once-in-alifetime Private Helicopter Ride! Helicopter ride around Austin for up to 5ppl with a stop at Salt Lick BBQ for lunch or dinner-includes $250 gift card to Salt Lick
Live Auction
Enjoy up to a week in Snowmass- summer or winter (mutally agreed upon date); excluding major holidays unless agreed upon by owner. You get your choice of one of the following: 1) Take advantage of Aspen Challenge. Challenge Aspen provides year-round adaptive recreation opportunities for people of all ages and disabilities, including year around outdoor activities, camps, and veterans programs. $500 credit toward private hands on ski or snowboarding lessons or buddy days. 2) Donate that $500 credit for use by Best Buddies Roaring Fork. 3) Select a 1/2 day private ski lesson through Snowmass Treehouse
Accommodations will be a Lemond Place Home: 5 BR, 3 Baths and Sleeps 11. The home is situated just 1.5 miles from the Snowmass Ski area and it offers wonderful views of the mountains. Sleeping Arrangments: Upstairs: Queen Bedroom and Upstairs Full/Twin Bunk Room Combo; Downstairs: King Master with additional daybed and trundle; Twin bedroom and Queen Bedroom. Amenities: BBQ Grill, Hot tub; Balcony; Infared Sauna
Bid From the Heart
How Donations Equate to Programmatic Support
Best Buddies helps form meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills, all while feeling valued by society.
$10,000
• The Best Buddies Friendship Ball invites people with IDD to a memorable community dance; an experience for which they may otherwise be excluded. Create a magical evening where buddy pairs celebrate and have fun.
• Underwrite employment support for a year for an individual with an IDD in our Jobs Program to become financially independent, receive benefits and work alongside others in the community.
$5,000
• Bring together people with and without IDD for friendships that cultivate community-wide social inclusion, by funding a new school, citizen’s or corporate chapter in the Best Buddies Friendship program
$2,500
• Fund an all-day training session for up to 50 Ambassadors to expand their Leadership skills
• Provide support for 10 one-to-one Friendship participants with an IDD and their peers
$1,000
• The cost to send a Student Leader, Ambassador or Jobs participant to the annual Leadership Conference (Registration and Airfare), where they will learn to advocate for him or herself, and the larger IDD community.
$500
• Provide a full day of on-site Job Training by one of our Employment Consultants
$250
• Support a one-to-one Friendship for someone with an IDD and their peer
• Fund two Friendships in our e-Buddies online program
• Transportation for two ambassadors to give public speeches
