Thank you for joining us tonight as we celebrate inclusion, friendship, and the outstanding individuals who are paving the way for a more connected and compassionate community Your presence here speaks volumes about the commitment you have to making a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Best Buddies Oklahoma believes that everyone deserves the chance to experience friendship, personal growth, and inclusion. Tonight, we honor not only our Champion of the Year candidates—leaders who have dedicated their time, passion, and energy to our mission but also each of you for standing with us to create these opportunities across our state.
In schools, workplaces, and communities, Best Buddies is empowering people with IDD to feel valued, build lasting friendships, and gain the confidence they deserve. None of this would be possible without your incredible support. Together, we are breaking down barriers, opening doors, and proving that inclusion truly transforms lives.
As we celebrate this evening, remember that your involvement means everything. With your support, we are changing lives, creating friendships, and building a world where everyone is seen, heard, and included.
Thank you for making this journey with us. Let’s keep working together for a more inclusive tomorrow.
With heartfelt gratitude, Best Buddies Oklahoma
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 150+ Best Buddies members to the statewide Friendship Ball
$2,500
• Sponsor 5 Citizens gatherings (friendship program for adults 18 and over)
$1,000
• The cost to send a Buddy to the Leadership Conference (Registration and Air)
• A tent at the Friendship 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
• The cost of buying t-shirts for a school chapter
$250
• The cost to send 4 buddies to the Buddy Ball
• The cost of a pizza party for a school chapter
Candidates
Heather Lassen
Alexandra McCarty
Melanie Pleasant
Sarvesh Ramakrishnan
Snoda Reyburn
April Reynolds
Kynlee Schultheis
Josie Walden
This Year's Entertainment
Samuel D. Kahre is an Oklahoma City born and raised Professional Cellist, making his living performing locally and abroad for the past decade
Although classically trained, Samuel has independently developed an array of techniques to his craft, to provide multiple performance experiences typically foreign to a cellist Sam’s goal with his art is to continue developing a diverse and unique expression of music that glorifies the One who gave him the gift to move people with sound
How to Bid
Register:
Text OKCOY24 to (76278)
Donate:
Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278)
*You can also bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered
