WA COY Program Book 2023

DENIM & DIAMONDS

________________________ WASHINGTON

PROGRAM

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Event Planning Committee Erin Walker (Chair) Maddy McCorsky Renee Engels Hannah Comitz Chrissy Parsons MaryKylie Cranford Eric Matthes

Order of Events 6:00 | Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction 7:20 | Silent Auction Closes, Dinner Service Begins 7:30 | Welcome Remarks 9:00 | Live Auction & Bid from the Heart 9:30 | Grand Champion Winner Announced 10:00 | Party Ends

Auction and Bid from the Heart checkout will begin immediately following the conclusion of the program

Emcee & Auctioneer: Matt Lorch

How to Bid on the Silent Auction Register: Text WACOY23 to 76278 Mobile Bidding Site: WACOY23.givesmart.com

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. $10,000 Fund Washington’s first ever “Friendship Ball” - an inclusive prom for friends with and without IDD to come together and celebrate our mission - free to all participants! $7,500 Underwrite the employment support that Best Buddies Jobs provides a person with IDD, allowing him/her/them to find a job, become financially independent, receive benefits and support themselves. $5,000 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 Fund an all-day Ambassador training for up to 50 people with and without IDD, where attendees will gain the public speaking, self-advocacy skills and confidence needed to champion for inclusion throughout the community. $1,000 Give a student leader, Ambassador, or Jobs participant the opportunity to attend the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference, where he or she will create community and learn to advocate for him/her/themselves. $500 Support a one-to-one 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. $250 Fund an online e-Buddies friendship between a person with and a person without IDD. The “e-pal” program allows participants to become more social and technologyliterate, which may lead to more advanced career opportunities. $100 Fund an activity for a school friendship program! Support the inclusive school friendship programs and cover an activity for an event.

2022 Champion of the Year 2022 Grand Champion of the Year

MaryKylie Cranford MaryKylie has been a strong and dedicated volunteer since 2018. She is currently the Advisory Board Chairperson. Last year she raised over $25,000 and was crown Grand Champion of 2022.

2022 Champion of the Year

2023 Candidates

Austin Landon

Acacia MacDonald

Shelia McCormick

Cali Damm

Rex Walker

Courtney Block

Eric Matthes

Britt Wibmer

2022 Champion of the Year

2023 Candidates

Kate Regali

Jane Watts

Hannah Dean

Jeremiah Beale

Katie Zielinski

Lexi Bean

2022 Champion of the Year This Year's Entertainment

Marlana VanHoose Marlana VanHoose is an extraordinary young singer who is a 3 time AMG Heritage Award recipient. Marlana has sung at many different venues across the USA. Her soaring and majestic voice continues to give joy and peace to all who are in her presence.

Walk. Celebrate. Support.

MAY 2024 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).

BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/WASHINGTON

Ashley Dutton 336.693.8002 AshleyDutton@bestbuddies.org