GALA PROGRAM
Dear Best Buddies Family,
Best Buddies had a remarkable year in 2023, with ur events and programmatic activities coming back stronger than ever, both nationwide and globally. As the year concluded, we became even more convinced of the critical and and transformative role that Best Buddies programs play in fostering connections and building a more inclusive world for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
In 2023, Best Buddies formed strategic partnerships with several major corporate partners that will have a profound impact on our organization and the people we serve BODYARMOR became the official water and sports beverage partner of the Best Buddies Challenges, providing hydration products for the organization’s national cycling events.
Best Buddies also launched a new partnership with our friends at Jersey Mike’s Subs. To kick off the partnership, the company generously pledged $1 million to support the organization, inviting their customers to donate via a round-up campaign at checkout on their mobile app. In 2023, we also welcomed the Boston Celtics’ Al Horford, the Atlanta Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom, and Celebrity Chef Buddy Valastro as official Best Buddies Global Ambassadors. In these roles, they will use their star power, resources, and connections to promote our mission.
the strength of our business model, combined with our loyal and expanding supporter base, the dedication and focus of our talented employees, and the growth opportunities we see ahead, all reinforce my confidence in our ability to drive towards our long-term growth.
Thank you for contributing to a better world for individuals with IDD> Your continued support will be critical as we strive to move our mission forward, recognizing that there is still much work to be done
Together, we will rise to the occasion to change lives through the power of inclusion
Joie Smith
Mission Speaker
Joie Smith
Joie Smith is a State Ambassador from Tampa, FL, dedicated to promoting inclusion Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Joie faced challenges growing up, feeling isolated due to her disability. In 2021 Joie joined Best Buddies at the University of Central Florida, where she found acceptance and friendship. With newfound confidence and leadership skills, Joie now advocates for others with disabilities, emphasizing the power of friendship and community. Through her story, she encourages others to support Best Buddies to create a world where everyone belongs!
Sheba Lucas
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Sheba Lucas
Bid From the Heart
$10,000 Level
Funds our annual "Friendship Ball" - an inclusive prom for friends with and without IDD to come together and celebrate inclusion. (This is a free event for all participants)
$7,500 Level
Underwrite the employment support that Best Buddies Jobs provides a person with IDD, allowing them to find a job, become financially independent and support themselves.
$5,000 Level
Bring together people with and without IDD to cultivate community-wide social inclusion by funding a new school, citizens or corporate chapter in the Best Buddies Friendship Program.
$2,500 Level
Fund an Ambassador training for people with and without IDD; attendees will gain the public speaking, self-advocacy skills and confidence needed to champion inclusion throughout the community. Provide stipends to 10 teachers to carry out programmatic activities.
$1,000 Level
Give a student leader, Ambassador or Jobs participant the opportunity to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, where they will create community and learn advocacy skills. Provide stipends to 4 teachers to carry out programmatic activities
$250 Level
Support a friendship between someone with IDD and their peer, helping to build a mutually enriching connection that enhances the lives of program participants and their families.
$100 Level
Fund an online e-buddies friendship between a person with & without an IDD. This program allows participants to become more social and technology-literate, leading to more advanced career opportunities.
$50 Level
Provide a Best Buddies Jobs participant with 1 hour of job coaching, where an employment candidate with IDD can practice job-readiness and interview skills.
SanDee Jakubik Decor Sponsor
Thank You to our Auction Donors
3 Daughters Brewery
AdaLfie Home
Bacchus
Bar Fly
Bar Taco
Barre3
Barry’s
BellaBrava Tampa
Besito Mexican
BDC Candle Bar
Bliss Jewelry
Blind Goat
Bodyrok
Butterfly Footprint
Busch Gardens
CAMP Tampa
Celsius
Charles Molton Photography
Cheesecake Factory
Cristina Scaramuzzi
Club Pilates Valrico
Cooper’s Hawk
Croc’s
Dagne Dover
Dane Capo Art
DJ Jeff Flow
Elegant Accents Outdoor Lighting
Elite Resort
Empower Adventures Tampa Bay
Everglow Jewelry
Fit4Mom
Florida Firearms Academy
Foundation Cigars
Glow St. Pete
Gold & Diamond Source
Gorjana
Grill Smith
Hampton Chocolate
HLY Photography
Heavenly Nails
Hot Spot Spices
Hounds Town Westchase
Hyatt House Naples
John’s Crazy Socks
Keel Farms
Lead Lines Stained Glass Studio
Marriott
Lost Pearl Pirate Ship
Thank You to our Auction Donors
Melting Pot Social
Metro Lagoons
MOSI
Nail Place – Countryside Mall
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Ocean Prime
Old Corkscrew Golf Course
Orlando Financial Advisor Package
Pages & Roses
PDQ
Pilates Movement Studio
Pour Decisions Coffee Co.
Press Box
Pure Barre South Tampa
Raquel Beautiful
Rocking Delicious – THE Candy Store
Sacred Pepper
Sawgrass Rec Park
Sea Bags
Sharmaines Salon and Day Spa
Shoot Straight
Splitsville
Starbucks
Swanson Soapworks
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Edition
The Florida Aquarium
The Honey Couple
The James Museum
The Melting Pot
The Tuft Spot
Timpano
Top Golf
Total Wine
Urban Tea Gardens
Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa Bay
Water Oak
West Florida Yacht & Marine –
Motoyacht Revelation
Woody’s Wash Shack
Wonderworks
Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events
YogaSix New Tampa
YogaSix St. Pete
Zoey’s Pupcakes
ZooTampa
2023 Tampa Bay Champion of the Year
Michael Mitchell
We are so grateful for our Champion duo Michael Mitchell and Ariana Thatcher and Mission Partners
Alphonso Murphy and Kellie Howard who raised $52,000 to support Best Buddies in Tampa Bay! Your commitment to our mission of inclusion inspires us all!
Champion Candidates
Sheba Lucas
Jeff Minaya Raschel Pratt
David Quilleon
Sarah Roddenberry Cristina Scaramuzzi
Meet Our Mission Partners
Alexis Flanagan
Veronica Green
Kellie Howard & Cameron Healey
Christina Hundley
Casey Kimerling
Kendra Holden
Best Buddies Jobs Program
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).
In Loving Memory of
March 9, 1963 - September 5, 2022
KENHOLDEN
This Year’s Entertainment
Milosz Gasior
Meet Milosz Gasior, a pianist with autism who communicates through his music. Despite the challenges he faces, Milosz graduated as the first Piano Major with autism from the Pinellas County Center for the Arts. His exceptional performances, including a TEDx talk where he shared his life story and received a standing ovation, continue to inspire us all.
Dancing for a Difference
Dane Capo Art
Dane Capo, diagnosed with epilepsy and autism, has overcome significant challenges through his passion for art.
Growing up in a traveling family, he developed a love for different cultures and a desire for independence. After the loss of his grandmother at 16, Dane discovered his talent for painting, sparking his art career. His work, characterized by bold colors and emotional expression, became his main form of communication, allowing him to connect with others despite social challenges. Today, Dane is an accomplished artist with a growing collection and continues to work toward a self-sustained future in the art world.
