Best Buddies in Georgia is proud to celebrate our Champions this evening, and the incredible impact of our programs across the state programs that build friendships, foster leadership, and create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
With the dedication of our staff, Advisory Board, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters like our Champions, we now serve more than 2,400 participants and positively impact over 24,000 people statewide
Our Friendship programs are active in 58 schools, forming hundreds of one-toone matches that promote empathy, understanding, and inclusion. Our programs continue to grow and thrive thanks to this community’s support. The new Ambassador Academy is empowering 17 participants with skills in leadership, advocacy, and communication, while our Living Program provides an inclusive home for 12 residents. Our Jobs Program, partnering with companies such as JLL Delta Works, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Georgia Aquarium, is helping participants find meaningful employment and our School Friendship program has a waitlist, showing the incredible demand for inclusion across Georgia.
Tonight’s celebration honors our 2025 Champions—a diverse group of participants, parents, business leaders, and advocates—who embody the spirit of inclusion Together, we are building a future where every person is valued for their abilities Your support tonight helps us open more school chapters, create more jobs, and train more leaders Thank you for standing beside us as we continue to make inclusion not the exception, but the expectation
Stephen Barwick
State Director
Best Buddies in Georgia
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Event Planning Committee
Event Co-Chairs: Reshell Baldini & Danielle Hegedus | Partnership Chair: Araba Dowell | Auction Chair: Jimmy Rabb | PR & Marketing Chair: Salima Fetter | Logistics Chair: Valerie Madison | Mission Chair: Amit Bedi
2025 Advisory Board
Board Chair: Reshell Baldini | Amit Bedi | Brad Beebe | Daniëlle Derkink | Andrew Dixon | Araba O. Dowell | Kim Finnegan | Valerie Madison | Marcellus Parker | Jim Reeves | Trevor Ruff | Treavor Scales
BidFromtheHeart
The Value of Your Donation Supp
Best Buddies helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities form meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, develop self-advocacy and communications skills, all while feeling valued by society.
$5,000 - The Gift of Friendship
Bring together people with and without IDD for friendships that cultivate community-wide social inclusion, by funding a new school, citizens or corporate chapter in the Best Buddies Friendship program.
$2,500 - Training Day
Funds an all-day Ambassadors training session for up to 50 people with and without IDD, where attendees will gain the public speaking skills and confidence needed to champion for inclusion throughout their community.
$1,000 - Prepare Future Advocates
Gives a student leader, Ambassador, or Jobs participant the opportunity to attend the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference, where he or she will learn to advocate for him or herself and the larger IDD community
$500 - Prep for Success
Provides a Best Buddies Jobs participant with ten hours of job coaching, where an employment candidate with IDD has the opportunity to practice interview skills, prepare for job readiness, or receive on-the-job support so he or she can excel in a new placement.
$250 - It’s A Match!
Supports a one-to-one friendship between someone with IDD and his or her peer, helping to build a mutually enriching connection that enhances the lives of program participants and their families.
$100 - Teach Inclusion at an Early Age
Supplies training and instruction for interactive activities, lesson plans and tool kits for school students in a Best Buddies chapter so that they can learn about acceptance and inclusion at a young age.
2024 Champion of the Year
Martha Haythron & Hannah Jenkins
Martha Haythorn and Hannah Jenkins first connected as Mission Partner and Campaign Manager during the 2024 Champion of the Year season—and what a year it was! Together, they raised over $22,000 for Best Buddies in Georgia, earning them the title of Grand Champions and inspiring countless others along the way Their partnership didn’t stop there. Martha and Hannah took the next step and became officially matched in the Atlanta Citizen Program, continuing to grow their friendship and impact
Since being named Grand Champions, Martha has moved into Best Buddies Living and had the incredible opportunity to speak at the 2025 Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University, sharing the story of her friendship with Hannah—who was by her side every step of the way.
Martha and Hannah’s journey is a shining example of friendship, dedication, and the transformative power of inclusion.
Meet the 2025 Champion of the Year Candidates
Meet the 2025 Champion of the Year Candidates
Ah’Miyah Jackson
Sam H & Todd
Erica Raasch & Derrick Avery
Ryan Harchar & Cardonia Jean
Chris & Elanor Rogers
This Year's Emcee
An Emmy-nominated news anchor, Jonathan brings over 15 years of journalism experience and a deeprooted passion for community engagement. The Atlanta native returned to his hometown in 2023 to join 11Alive News, where he anchors the station's morning newscast. Last year, he was honored by the Atlanta Press Club for Excellence in Television Reporting.
How to Bid
Register:
Text GACOY25 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
