7:00
8:00
SCHEDULE:
Cocktail Hour begins
Steel Drum performance by Danny Margulis, in the cocktail room Games of Skill on the outside patio
Program Starts in Main Ballroom
Silent Auction Closes
The 2024 Champion of the Year announced
Silent Auction checkout opens Event ends
9:00 10:00 11:00 Doors Open
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Bid From the Heart
The Value of Your Donation Supports
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
$5,000
• A middle school, high school, or college Chapter for a year
• The cost of the room and food to host 250+ Best Buddies members to the statewide Friendship Ball
$2,500
• 10 buddy runners to participate in the ION Bank Cheshire Half Marathon or 5K or Team Best Buddies Relay
$1,000
• The cost to send a Buddy to the Leadership Conference (Registration and Air)
• A tent at the walk
• DJ or photo booth for a statewide Best Buddies event
$500
• Bus to transport a school chapter to the Friendship Walk or Friendship Ball
• Registration for a buddy to attend the Leadership Conference
• The cost of a flight to send a student leader to the Leadership Conference in Indiana
$350
• Citizens/Ambassador bowling party
• 1 buddy runner to participate in the ION Bank Cheshire Half Marathon
• The cost of buying t-shirts for a school chapter
$250
• The cost to send 4 buddies to the Buddy Ball
• The cost to send a buddy to the Party with a Purpose
• Transportation for 2 ambassadors to give public speeches
• The cost of a pizza party for a school chapter
2023 Champions of the Year
Holly Raymond & Angela Andrews
Best Buddies is a place where people like my children and me can belong. They provide friendship, guidance, support, and hope to all the families and people who are neurodivergent like no other group I've found. There are friendship and ambassadorship options for those looking for a closer connection, career coaching for those looking for their path, and even housing options to give a safe transition from parents to self-reliance I want to make sure no other neurodivergent person has to go through life feeling there is nowhere for them and that no other mother cries herself to sleep because she cannot find the help her child deserves and desperately needs. Please help me support these families and individuals so that they can live their best lives and be their authentic selves with complete acceptance and zero shame
My name is Holly Raymond, and I am the proud mother of two adult sons, one with ADHD and one with epilepsy. Our journey as a family has been shaped by the challenges of navigating a world that often falls short in providing the support and understanding that individuals with disabilities need. We have faced stigma and a lack of resources from our local school system and government agencies, making it clear how vital organizations like Best Buddies are for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) Your donation will help Best Buddies continue their transformative work, ensuring that people with IDD can live independently, feel valued, and build meaningful connections throughout their lives.
Candidates & Mission Partners
Kristen Beriloff & Keanu Brueggemann
Todd Abedrabbo & Daniel Margulis
Maria Navarette & Omar Abusada
Heather Janci & Faryl Budoff
Dinu Antonescu
Angela Andrews & Holly Raymond
Alex Leone & Bret Fleming
This Year's Entertainment
Bret Fleming to perform during our Program
How to Bid
Register:
Text NJCOY24 to 76278
Donate:
Danny Margulis on the steel drums in the Cocktail Room
Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278)
*You can also bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered
MCNAIRACADEMICHIGHSCHOOLWOULD LIKETOTHANKBEST BUDDIESCHAMPIONDINUANTONESCU FORALLOFHISEFFORTS INSUPPORTINGTHOSEWITHDISABILITIES. DINUCONTINUESTOBEANASSETTO THESCHOOL,THE COMMUNITY,ANDHASAPOSITIVEIMPACT ONALLHECOMESIN CONTACTWITH. THANKSFORBEINGYOU.
Thank you all for your support! This event will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support across New Jersey.
https://www.bestbuddies.org/newjersey/friendship-walk
