P R O G R A M
Thankyou! PRESENTING SPONSOR
Thankyou A SPECIAL THE SWAIN FAMILY
NCF GRANT TO
GalaPROGRAM
WELCOME
REMARKS
2024 CHAMPION CANDIDATES
DINNER
SILENT AUCTION CLOSES
LIVE AUCTION
MISSION MOMENT
BID FROM THE HEART
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
RAFFLE DRAWING
CROWNING OF THE CHAMPION
CLOSING
TO START BIDDING
TEXT SCCOY24 TO 76278
THE AUCTION CLOSES AT 8:30PM.
Presenting
Jason Bronis, Alpert Enterprises
Kristy Rose McBride
Carey Lee Hudson
John Roberts, Forvis Mazars
Caroline Hudson
Kevin Swain
Shelby Mang & Mission Partner Ceci McBride
Marci Silver, Russell Linstad & Joshua Powell
Meredith Conner & Mission Partner Avery Conner
Colin Shaffer, USC Best Buddies Chapter
Stephanie Gillis, Clemson University Best Buddies Chapter
Taylor Washington & Tayla Wilson, USC-B Best Buddies Chapter
McIver Thomas & Lisa Thomas
The Hudson Family
Brad and Traci Hughes
Friends of Best Buddies SPONSORS THANKYOU
Anna Tatum Swing, Coldwell Banker Caine
Charles & Emily Refshauge
First Citizens Bank
Friends of Avery Gary Hester Interiors
Scott & Beth McMillan
Jill Alper curatedesigns
MedFirst
Sage Automotive Interiors
Ceci’s Tribe
The Upside Down Collection
The Turner Agency
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Venture Aviation
Wade’s Restaurant
A special thank you!
CAREY HUDSON, CO-CHAIR
KRISTY MCBRIDE, CO CHAIR
JEFF OUTTEN
DIRK PIEPER
TRACI HUGHES
RHETT OUTTEN
MARY CATHERINE DAVIS
DAVID HUDSON KIMBERLY FEW
B E S T B U D D I E S A D V I S O R Y B O A R D
DAVID HUDSON, CHAIR
SCOTT DAVIS
JEFF OUTTEN
FAITH ARNETH
KAREN RATLIFF-SCHAUB
KRISTY MCBRIDE
CAREY HUDSON
DIRK PIEPER
MARIANA HAY
JANIE THOMAS
MCIVER THOMAS
F R I E N D S O F B E S T B U D D I E S I N S C
FIREFORGE CRAFT BEER
DAVID POLESKI, PHOTOGRAPHER
CECI’S TRIBE
THE RAMBO FAMILY
THE HUDSON FAMILY
BBI EXPANSION TEAM
BETSY WILLIAMS
THE THOMAS FAMILY
BB LIVING NATIONAL TEAM
2024 CANDIDATES
STEPHANIE GILLIS MEREDITH & AVERY CONNOR
SHELBY MANG
JOSH, RUSS, & MARCI
COLIN SHAFFER
KEVIN SWAIN
TAYLA & TAYLOR unable to attend gala
TINA GULLEDGE NAMED 2023 BEST BUDDIES NATIONAL
TOP CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Tina Gulledge, alongside her Mission Partner, Caroline Reynolds, achieved the esteemed title of South Carolina Grand Champion, marking a significant victory for Best Buddies in the state Together, their collaborative efforts rallied substantial support, raising an impressive total of $142,588 Tina's exceptional fundraising skills not only set her apart as the leading fundraiser in South Carolina but also earned her national recognition Securing the prestigious title of the 2023 National Top Champion of the Year for Best Buddies International, Tina outshone hundreds of champions across the country
“My buddy Taylor treats me very well. Taylor is respectful of me. She is funny and makes me laugh I hope our friendship lasts a lifetime ” Jason loves spending time with his Buddy Taylor “My buddy is sweet and helpful We like to do crafts, listen to music, and sometimes we just sit and talk ”
Best Buddies South Carolina
Friendship Chapters
B l u e R i d g e E l e m e n t a r y
M i t c h e l l R o a d E l e m e n t a r y
M o n a r c h E l e m e n t a r y
M t . P l e a s a n t A c a d e m y
O a k v i e w E l e m e n t a r y
R u d o l p h G o r d o n E l e m e n t a r y
N o r t h w o o d M i d d l e S c h o o l
R u d o l p h G o r d o n M i d d l e S c h o o l
B e c k A c a d e m y
S o c a s t e e M i d d l e S c h o o l
I n m a n I n t e r m e d i a t e S c h o o l
A s h l e y R i d g e H i g h S c h o o l
F o r t D o r c h e s t e r H i g h S c h o o l
H i l l c r e s t H i g h S c h o o l
J L M a n n H i g h A c a d e m y
L u c y B e c k h a m H i g h S c h o o l
N o r t h A u g u s t a H i g h S c h o o l
P a l m e t t o H i g h S c h o o l
R i v e r s i d e H i g h S c h o o l
C l e m s o n U n i v e r s i t y
C o l l e g e o f C h a r l e s t o n
F u r m a n U n i v e r s i t y
M e d i c a l - U S C
U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h C a r o l i n a
U S C - B e a u f o r t
G r e e n v i l l e C i t i z e n s ( a d u l t )
M y r t l e B e a c h C i t i z e n s ( a d u l t )
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
$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
PRESENTING SPONSOR THANKYOU
