Welcome to the 2024 Champion of the Year Gala! Tonight, we gather not only to honor the dedication and passion of our Champions but to celebrate the profound impact of Best Buddies on countless lives. Each of you has made an extraordinary commitment to the cause of inclusion, and together, we are building communities where everyone is valued, respected, and embraced.
For over 35 years, Best Buddies has worked to end the social, physical, and economic isolation of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the power of friendship, advocacy, and opportunity. This mission is alive and thriving here in Pennsylvania, where our network now includes over 150 schools and reaches an estimated 75,000 people. In the last year alone, we’ve expanded to nine new schools, opening the door to even more friendships, leadership opportunities, and transformative experiences.
We are also thrilled to announce the opening of Best Buddies Living in State College—a groundbreaking program that empowers adults with IDD to live independently within a supportive, inclusive environment This vibrant community fosters essential life skills, promotes social engagement, and enables residents to thrive and contribute within a setting that values them
Tonight’s gala is a testament to the strength of our shared vision and the passion each of you brings to our mission. This celebration would not be possible without the incredible support of our community. To our sponsors, advisory board members, volunteerss, and especially our Champions, cheffs and sous chefs, than you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to the cause of inclusion.
As we join together tonight, I invite you to experience the warmth and joy that Bes Buddies brings to the lives of so many. May you be inspired by the stories of friendship and resilience shared this evening, and may our mission continue to thrive through your generosity and partnership.Thank you for standing with us, for believing in the power of inclusion, and for being a valued part of our Best Buddies family
Kelly Gregory Bertolett Area Director, Best Buddie
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
DREXELBROOK SPECIAL EVENT CENTER
4700 DREXELBROOK DRIVE
DREXEL HILL, PA 19026
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
6:00 PM Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:15 PM Program Begins
7:35 PM Dinner Served
8:15 PM Silent Auction Closes
8:25 PM Live Auction
9:15 PM Champion Announced
9:30 PM Dance Party
2023 Champion of the Year
ASHLEY LONG
Ashley Long is an outstanding advocate for inclusion and a true example of Best Buddies' mission in action. Ashley raised nearly $10,000 to support Best Buddies in Pennsylvania, standing out not only for her fundraising efforts but for her deep dedication to creating inclusive environments. As a Best Buddies Advisor at Kennett Middle School, Ashley plays an integral role in helping students embrace and champion inclusion, guiding young leaders as they bring Best Buddies' values to life within their classrooms and communities. Her commitment to building a world where everyone feels valued and respected is truly inspiring
Beyond her work at school, Ashley extends her passion for inclusion into the fitness world. She runs a chapter of Uniquely Abled Fitness at her gym, an inclusive program serving young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her leadership and compassion have made an extraordinary impact on those around her, and her contributions to Best Buddies have set a remarkable standard for future Champions. We are grateful for her ongoing dedication and the positive change she continues to create in our communities.
FRIENDSHIP PROGRAMS
Best Buddies Friendship programs represent one of our organization’s five key mission pillars. These programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and selfesteem, and share interests, experiences and activities that many other individuals enjoy.
Meet Our Auctioneer Matt Newsom
As a Hairy Cell Leukemia survivor, the first galas Matt supported benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society who developed the treatment that put him into remission. His life experiences have brought him to benefit auctioneering. Being a benefit auctioneer allows him to put all three of these strengths to work for each of his non-profit partners. Matt says, “Doing what I’m good at plus doing what I enjoy plus helping so many worthy causes is the perfect combination for me!”
How to Bid
Register:
Text PHLCOY 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.
The State Street Miracles
The State Street Miracles is a performance troupe of adults with intellectual disabilities who are ambassadors in song. Formed in 2006 and sponsored by The Media Theatre, the troupe features adults who have various developmental disabilities The members experience improved speech and articulation, better independence and decision-making, increased selfesteem, and most importantly, they’ve formed friendships with their fellow performers and the theatre staff
Master of Ceremonies, Page Weinstein
Miss Pennsylvania 2024, Page Weinstein i proud native of Pittsburgh, and a Magna Cu Laude graduate with two degrees from The University of Alabama
Prior to being crowned Miss Pennsylvania, traveled the world as a Flight Attendant for Air Lines. Currently, she is working towards receiving her private pilot's license with drea of becoming a commercial pilot
Page is very dedicated to her 501(c)3 corporation, Confident Heart, Courageous S Inc. As chairwoman of the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Pittsburgh, she has witn firsthand how people with disabilities face discrimination. She is an advocate of establ a more inclusive society Page teaches individuals that regardless of the story socie tries to force on you, you are capable... you worthy you are loved!
MEET THE PENNSYLVANIA TEAM
SAMANTHA CIVITATE State Director KELLY BERTOLETTE Area Director, Philadelphia
BRIANNA WOLFLE Director of Programs and Operations
SAMANTHA MILDNER Area Director, Pittsburgh
OLIVIA STECKMAN Program Manager
MICHAEL HENRY Best Buddies Living
MEGAN RODGERS Lead Program Manager
GRAHAM Service Dog
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
CHEF PAIRS
JOHN SEROCK CATERING
CHEF JOHN SEROCK
PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN
CHEF NELSON RODRIGUEZ
JENNA POWERS
AUBREY TILLMAN
BARTACO
CHEF NICOLOS KES
LISA HOLZ
CHEF PAIRS
WILSON’S SECRET
SAUCE
CHEF STEVE WILSON
MARIALYCE IBACH
CHICKEN GUY!
CHEF KEVIN COOPER
KEISHA DEEDS
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA ADVISORY BOARD
SARA MOLINA-ROBINSON
Chief Educational Services Officer, PHMC
JOHN DRONSON
Retired, JLL & Merck Executive
CORY GILBERT
Best Buddies Parent Executive, Merck
LISA HOLZ
Ambassador, Best Buddies
Employee, Wegmans Bakery
STEVE PAUL
Best Buddies Citizens Member
Relationship Manager, BREX
JEFFREY SLAVICH
Best Buddies Parent
Financial Advisor, FirsTrust
HEATHER VAN HORN
Best Buddies Advisor & Special Education
Department Chair, Lower Merion High School
ASHLEY LONG
Best Buddies Advisor
Kennett Middle School
STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
MADISON SMITH, CO-CHAIR
Ursinus College
NATALYA CAFASSO, CO-CHAIR
Knoch High School
BOBBY EVANS
West Chester University
ELIZABETH GRONDIN
Avon Grove High School
NISHTHA GUPTA
Great Valley High School
LEAH HUNDLEY
Kutztown University
EMILY KWON
Marple Newtown High School
CARLY LYDON
Butler Senior High School
MADISON MACCIOCCA
West Chester East High School
MEGHAN MACGREGOR
Duquesne University
GRACE MYERS
Upper Saint Clair High School
KASARA OSTROFF
DeSales University
OLIVIA ROMERO
Cannon McMillan High School
ELIZABETH QUAY
Downingtown East High School
FRIENDSHIP SPOTLIGHT
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With all the blessings our daughter’s IDD has brought to our family, the biggest challenge was that there was no handbook on what to do. The support of other parents and families helped guide us and ease our worries. There is nothing quite like connecting with someone who knows what you’re going through. Eunie’s Buddies brings together parents and caregivers so that they’ll never walk alone.”
