PA Champion of the Year Program Book

Pennsylvania

Dear Friends,

For the last two years, Best Buddies has been hard at work keeping students, adults, families and friends engaged and connected with others. The pandemic affected all of us in one way or another and the isolation facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) was profound. Nearly 90% of our Best Buddies Friendship program participants were negatively impacted by their social isolation.

In response to this challenge, we spent the last three months identifying individuals across the state who recognize the importance of inclusion and strongly advocate for people with IDD. They have spent 10 weeks showcasing their commitment to inclusion by raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies. Our Champions organized bake sales, planned and hosted wine tastings, lead spin classes, scheduled 5k runs, organized ticket raffles and planned a host of other special events in support of their campaigns. One was more creative than the next -- and we are proud to say that all 22 champions reached their fundraising goal with a few going way above the beyond your goals. We are grateful to every single one of you for your commitment to our cause.

Champion of the Year gave all of us an opportunity to reconnect, and although we still cannot celebrate in person, we hope you will join us on Friday night, November 19th at 8 PM for our Live Facebook show online (www.facebook.com/bestbuddiespa).

With special thanks to BNY Mellon, our Presenting Sponsor, for supporting this statewide event. Funds raised through this campaign allow Best Buddies to continue its outreach efforts beyond the 140 schools it currently serves

We are looking forward to 2022 and in person events again. Join us on Saturday, April 23 at Commerce Square in Philadelphia and Sunday, April 24, at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh for our Best Buddies Friendship Walks. We plan to use that event to celebrate – in person -the inspiring accomplishments of our 22 outstanding Champions.

In Friendship, Hilary Stephens State Director

Virtual Silent Auction

How to Bid Register: Text PACOY2021 to (76278)

*You can also bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered.

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

Noreen Liebrock As a parent of a young man, Stephen, with Down Syndrome, I realized that the power of friendship and inclusion cannot be underestimated. My husband and I have 3 children and as the kids became older, friendships became very important . Not for just hanging out but for knowing that for every social event, you had someone ( or a group) that was excited to see you and appreciate your uniqueness. Having a disability doesn’t change the need and that is why I became involved with Best Buddies and started a chapter in our local high school The chapter became very successful and for Stephen, if provided a group to go to the prom with, the movies or just hang out and be goofy! The kids are still close friends 10 years later. In, FILL IN , I joined the Best Buddies Advisory Board and when I was nominated in 2020 as a Champion of the Year candidate, I was truly honored.

That said, I didn't necessarily know what to expect. My main goal in accepting the nomination was to embrace the Best Buddies mission however I could. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that just a few months later, I would've raised over $16,000 for Best Buddies in Pennsylvania with support of family, friends and local businesses!

From the start, Best Buddies was there for me. They helped me tell my story and learn the ins and outs of fundraising. They even paired me with an active Best Buddies participant, my son Stephen ! That was a gift as we got to work together on a special project and truth be told, he’s far more popular than me so was a true ambassador for Best Buddies!

The money we raised through the campaign helped Best Buddies sustain their school friendship programs when they were needed most. Furthermore, . This experience was one of the most fulfilling of my life, and I hope others have the same experience I had. If you're interested or know someone who would make a great Champion, submit a nomination here!

Meet the Best Buddies PA Team

Hilary Stephens

Samantha Civitate

Milli Protheroe

State Director

Development Director

Director of Programs & Operations

Marissa Klees

Samantha Mildner

Andrew Harbaugh

Deputy Director of Programs

Program Supervisor

Program Manager Mission Expansion