“FIND YOUR INNER CHAMPION”
Event Overview 6:00 PM Cocktail Reception, Silent Auction, Musical Performance by AJ Arciniega & Alec Johnson 7:00 PM Dinner is served & program will shortly begin 7:45 PM Silent Auction closes 8:45 PM Silent & Live Auction checkout opens 9:00 PM The Grand Champion is announced!
Food & Beverage First Course PRE-SET Field Greens Salad Cherry tomatoes, carrots, corn, avocado, jicama, pumpkin seeds, and balsamic dressing Pre-Selected Second Course -Roasted Airline Chicken Breast - GLUTEN FREE Fingerling potatoes, baby carrots, grain mustard chardonnay cream sauce -Pan Seared Sea Bass - GLUTEN FREE Ratatouille, parmesan crisp, spring vegetable broth -Seasonal Vegetable Stack - GLUTEN FREE Crispy polenta cake, shiitake mushrooms, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, squash, tomato, garlic infused olive oil, balsamic glaze Third Course -Baked Apple Crisp with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce Beverages Beer, wine, and soda
Silent Auction Online Bidding Process How to register for the auction: Text SDCOY23 to 243725 How to find an item: You can find items by pressing any one of the buttons on the main menu or by using the search bar to find a specific item or category How to bid on an item: 1. Find the item 2. Select it 3. Press on bid How to find the items you bid on: Items you have bid on can be found at Menu > Your Activity How to set up automatic biding: After submitting a bid, you will be prompted to set a max bid. When you’ve been outbid, it will automatically bid on your behalf up to the max bid amount you set, using the bid increments provided How to tell if you were outbid: You will receive a text message when you’ve been outbid Alternatively, navigate to “your activity” to check the status of your bids
Online Donation Process How to donate: Go to Bidpal.net/SDCOY23 or click on the text you received at checkin Click on the "Donate Now" button Choose your amount or easily enter a custom one on your own Confirm your donation - you may be prompted to enter a credit card at this time if you did not provide one at registration
Welcome Friends of Best Buddies! When I moved out to California almost exactly two years ago, I was searching for some meaning in my life. Over time, I began to explore the area and meet new people. One of the brightest moments on this journey was when I heard about the Best Buddies Friendship Walk to raise awareness for inclusion, friendship, leadership development and integrated job opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). I didn’t really appreciate what IDD meant until a few years ago when members of my family were diagnosed with autism and Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Then, I went on the walk, and I was surrounded by amazing people demonstrating characteristics of pride and pure joy in a manner just like what I saw in my youngest child. There was a photographer there, I don’t remember their name, but I remember the ear-to-ear grin when I heard the words “I am a great photographer and I take great pictures” with two hands on the waist and chest out firm in the most confident of possess. I thought to myself, I’ve seen that look before, with the same gleam of pride in a voice, in my own home. It was then I realized I wanted, needed, to do more. Just a few days later, I got recruited by KristinAnn Janishefski, Development Coordinator for Best Buddies in San Diego to participate on the San Diego Advisory Board. Now, as we enter another holiday season, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your active involvement in the 2023 Champion of The Year Gala! Your unwavering enthusiasm and participation in San Diego's annual Gala will make a profound impact. We have accomplished many great things this year and the future is even brighter. I am proud to write that our Best Buddies Jobs program has flourished since its launch at the beginning of this year. We take pride in having empowered 7 individuals with IDD to secure positions in diverse competitive fields and in companies large and small throughout California and the country. Furthermore, our Friendship program now spans across 23 chapters, with a dedicated team of 18 trained Ambassadors and 25 Citizen matches. Best Buddies continues to leave an indelible impact on the people within San Diego, granting both those with and without IDD the opportunity to cultivate meaningful, enduring friendships while fostering a sense of inclusion within their communities. The funds we raise tonight are critical so we can continue to grow our programs’ reach throughout San Diego. I would like to offer special recognition to our esteemed presenting sponsors, High Flying Foods and the Erasca Foundation, my fellow advisory board members, and the dedicated Best Buddies staff whose tireless commitment played an integral role in the success of this event. To our Champions, Mission Partners and Campaign Managers, your persistent dedication to our mission, infectious enthusiasm for this event, and willingness to lend a helping hand to others are deeply appreciated. Thank you, all, from the bottom of my heart, for being you and being part of Best Buddies! Sincerely,
Steve Feller Steve Feller San Diego Advisory Board Chair
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Presenting Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partner
2022 Champion of the Year AJ Arciniega - Raised $15,231 for Best Buddies in San Diego!
Candidates
Frances Aguilar
Bryan Berlier
Christine Cauffman
Shawnee Hansen
Kimberly Hazard
Kirsten Huber
Melissa Lam
Julie Neward
Angie Reyes
Myles Toman
Mission Partners
Paolo Aguilar
Josue Casique
Andrew Monaghan
Kailene Hansen
Kylie Hazard
Giancarlo Valdez
Corbitt Singer
Frederico Venegas
Johny Espinoza
Vesna Vasich
Campaign Managers
Raul & Edita Aguilar
Daniel Aldrete
Partnered with Frances Aguilar
Partnered with Melissa Lam
Kathleen Monaghan
Heather Parkes
Partnered with Christine Cauffman
Partnered with Julie Neward
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor for their contributions to making the world a more inclusive place!
Thank you, Office Depot!
ONE-TO-ONE FRIENDSHIPS
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
INCLUSIVE LIVING
HISTORY
MISSION
dedicated to ending the social, physical,
501(c)(3) organization dedicated to
and economic isolation of the 200 million
establishing a global volunteer movement
people with intellectual and
that creates opportunities for one-to-one
developmental disabilities (IDD).
friendships, integrated employment,
Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver,
leadership development, and inclusive
Best Buddies has grown from one
living for individuals with intellectual and
original chapter to nearly 2,900 chapters
developmental disabilities (IDD).
We are the world's largest organization
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit
worldwide, positively impacting the lives of over 1.25 million people with and without IDD. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and 54 countries around the world.
VISION
To put Best Buddies out of business. Best Buddies envisions a world where people with IDD are so successfully integrated into schools, workplaces, and
WHO WE SERVE
communities that its current efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until that
The IDD community that Best Buddies
vision becomes a reality, the organization
serves includes, but is not limited to,
will continue to educate students,
people with Down syndrome, autism,
community members, corporations, and
Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral
employers about the emotional,
palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other
functional, and natural needs and abilities
undiagnosed disabilities.
of people with IDD.
San Diego Friendship Chapters, Jobs Placements, & Ambassadors
Elementary School Chapters Chaparral Elementary School Lemon Crest Elementary School Middle School Chapters Bernardo Heights Middle School Calavera Hills Middle School Coronado Middle School Design 39 High School Chapters Academy of our Lady of Peace Canyon Crest Academy Carlsbad High School Cathedral Catholic High School Coronado High School Del Norte High School El Camino High School Escondido High School Pacific Ridge High School Rancho Bernardo High School San Pasqual High School Sunset High School Torrey Pines High School West Hills High School Westview High School College Chapters California State University, San Marcos San Diego State University
Employer Partners Accenture Blissful Seeds Job Options Office Depot Sodexo Sprouts Ambassadors AJ Arciniega Aleksandra Jovanic Amy Steffen Aniyah Hilson Ayden Logan Daveon Barrett Frances Aguilar Isaiah Beechem Ivette Castro Johny Espinoza Jordan Pierce Kevin Stevenson Michael Sarmiento Nick Imthurn Sydney Cook Troy Horton Vesna Vasich Wesley Cooksy
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES One-to-One Friendship JOIN A CHAPTER
JOIN CITIZENS (18+)
Join an existing school chapter! We have clubs at schools with & without special education programs.
Make a friend while participating in inclusive activities with adults with and without IDD in your local area.
START A CHAPTER
JOIN E-BUDDIES
Be an inclusion leader by starting a chapter! Receive support from Best Buddies staff every step of the way.
Sign up for our email-based pen pal program. E-Buddies is available starting October 1, 2021.
Integrated Employment HOST A MOCK INTERVIEW
TEACH A JOB SKILL
Conduct a practice interview for a jobseeking participant. We'll provide the interview questions, you ask away!
Promote workplace readiness by teaching job skills to participants who are seeking competitive employment.
JOIN A CAREER PANEL
INVOLVE YOUR EMPLOYER
Chat with Best Buddies participants about your job and offer advice on how to enter into your career field.
Share the mission by encouraging your employer to participate in Best Buddies events and programs.
Leadership Development BECOME AN AMBASSADOR Attend an ambassador training to learn speech writing, public speaking, and advocacy skills.
BRING AN AMBASSADOR TO YOUR COMMUNITY Invite an ambassador to speak about inclusion at your school or workplace!
BE A SPEECH COACH
HOST A TRAINING
Attend a training as a speech coach to support an individual on their journey to becoming an ambassador.
Get a group together to level up your leadership. We provide the content, you lead the training!
Signature Events & Advisory Board JOIN A COMMITTEE
ATTEND THE FRIENDSHIP WALK
Support the event planning process by joining a committee. Assist with logistics, publicity, sponsorships, and more!
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). Register today at BestBuddiesFriendshipWalk.org!
JOIN A LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD Advisory board members commit to a two-year term where they utilize their skills and connections to expand our reach at the local level. *There is an application and interview process for this volunteer opportunity.
San Diego Advisory Board San Francisco Advisory Board Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our programs all year long!
Steve Feller, Board Chair Senior Sales Solution Strategist Accenture
Kimberly Hazard
Angie Reyes
Director Of Operations High Flying Foods
Project Manager Intact Technology
Kevin Stevenson
Mari Mayberry
Broadcaster KOCT - Oceanside Community Television
Project/Facilities Manager JLL
A
B I G
Thank You T O
O U R
A N N U A L
D O N O R S
Named in honor of Anthony’s aunt, Rosemary Kennedy, Team Rosemary is Best Buddies’ major-giving society dedicated to providing life-changing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the promotion of life-long friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living. The contributions of Team Rosemary members empower us to create transformative opportunities and foster inclusivity for individuals with IDD.
The Bridge is a community of devoted Best Buddies supporters, formed when individuals commit to a monthly gift, dedicated to building connections between people with and without IDD. This community of supporters bridges the gap so that individuals of all abilities are included in society. Their generosity empowers us to build meaningful connections between individuals with and without IDD, creating a more inclusive world. Thank you to our San Diego Bridge member, Jane Chambers, for her continued support of Best Buddies in San Diego, even after moving to Michigan! Scan the QR code to learn more about Team Rosemary & The Bridge!
Walk. Celebrate. Support. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). Funds raised at the Friendship Walks help move our mission forward by funding local Best Buddies programs. It also provides a unique opportunity to see our mission in action at the local level. Every dollar raised goes towards making the world a more inclusive, accepting place.
BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/SANDIEGO
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING INCLUSION!
BESTBUDDIES.ORG