Gala P R O G R A M
B O O K
Dear Friends, On behalf of Best Buddies in Kentucky, welcome to our annual auction and celebration! I am so grateful you are here with us tonight as we come together to support inclusion, friendship, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This ten-week philanthropic competition for Best Buddies in Kentucky celebrates Best Buddies participants and community leaders throughout the Commonwealth who have been nominated as “Champions” to raise funds and increase awareness for our mission. Following the campaign, all candidates are honored at the Champion of the Year Gala. The Champion candidate who raises the most donations, surpassing all rivals in the competition, is named the 2026 Grand Champion of the Year. Funds raised by the Champions and proceeds from the Gala will directly benefit the local programs of Best Buddies in Kentucky to create more friendships, develop leadership opportunities, and open new programs for hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities around the state. Thank you for your support of our Champion of the Year Gala, and for sharing your time, your spirit, and your generosity with us. In Friendship,
Kelly Carrico Kelly Carrico Director of Mission Advancement Best Buddies in Kentucky
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. $7,500 Cover the cost of the room and food to host 250+ Best Buddies members to a statewide Friendship Ball. $5,000 Bring together people with and without IDD for friendships that cultivate community-wide social inclusion; by funding a new school in the Best Buddies Friendship program. $2,500 Fund 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 Give a student leader or Ambassador the opportunity to attend the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference; where they will learn to advocate for themselves and the larger IDD community. $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 technology-literate, which may lead to more advanced career opportunities. $100 Fund an activity for a school friendship program!
Thank You To Our Sponsors! PRESENTING SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
Thank You To Our Sponsors! SILVER SPONSORS
BAR SPONSORS
2025 Champion of the Year
2025 Champion Addie Childers & Mission Partner Keeli Langford Addie Childers embodies the heart of BestBuddies Kentucky. As an active member of our Louisville Citizens Chapter and a Best Buddies Ambassador, she builds friendships, advocates for inclusion, and inspires others through her leadership. In 2025, Addie made Best Buddies Kentucky history alongside Mission Partner Kiersten Langford, becoming Champion of the Year and raising a record-breaking $58,000, the highest amount ever raised by a Champion of the Year team in Kentucky. Addie continued her impact by becoming the Top Individual Fundraiser for the Best Buddies Kentucky Friendship Walk in both 2025 and 2026. Through friendship, advocacy, and action, Addie continues to show the power of inclusion.
2026 Buddy Pair
Matthew and Grace Matthew and Grace have been matched through the Best Buddies program at Western Kentucky University for the past two years, and their friendship continues to grow through the things they enjoy together. Both are sports fans, love ice cream, and especially enjoy spending time together bowling—although Matthew has yet to let Grace take home a win. Grace is in her third year with Best Buddies at WKU, while Matthew is celebrating his seventh year in the program. Their friendship is a wonderful reflection of what Best Buddies is all about: creating meaningful, lasting connections and building a community where everyone has the opportunity to belong.
Champion Candidates
Addie Childers
Teresa Letto
Drew & Amelia Krause
Cheryl Ruckreigel
Emma Wilson
Alex Rodmaker
Camille Chapman
Shon Adams
Betsy Boland
Grace Collins
Mission Partners
Annika Haulk
Daniel Noltemeyer
Kat Teston
Cameron Bryan
Mario Cipolla
Rose Meurer
Ryan Hopkins
Sam Smith
Luke & Spencer Boland
Matthew Larkin
Order of Events 6:00 | Passed Appetizers, Happy Hour + Silent Auction Opens 7:00 | Welcome Remarks 7:10 | Dinner Service 7:45 | Silent Auction, Raffle, Head or Tails Closes 7:45 | Program Begins Champion Nominee & Mission Partner Intros Live Auction Honorary Buddy Pair Bid from the Heart Raffle Drawing Heads or Tails 9:30 | Grand Champion Winner Announced 10:00 | Party Ends Auction and Bid from the Heart checkout will begin following the conclusion of the program. Emcee & Auctioneer: Trey Morris
How to Bid Register: Text KYCOY26to(76278) Mobile Bidding Site: KYCOY26.givesmart.com Donate: Text the word GIVE and amount to (76278)
LIVE AUCTION OAKS DAY VIP Experience the excitement of OaksDayin true VIP style with an unforgettable day at Churchill Downs.
PURA VIDA: COSTA RICA Trade the everyday for pura vida with an unforgettable Costa Rican escape filled with luxury, adventure and breath taking scenery.
RACING INSIDER Experience Churchill racing like an insider with VIP access, a private suite, expert insight, a rare bottle of bourbon and a luxurious overnightstay.
LUXURY IN THE WOODS Escape to a luxurious countryside retreat where five-star comforts, outdoor adventure and Kentucky bourbon meet.
UofL BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE Cheer on the Cards in style with suite seats, all-inclusive refreshments, a downtown stay and dinner after the game.
MIRAMAR BEACH GETAWAY Soak up a week of sunshine, ocean views and coastal relaxation in beautiful Miramar Beach.
WATCH HILL PROPER COMES HOME Bring an unforgettable Watch Hill Proper culinary experience home with a private chef, exquisite courses and your choice of bourbon or wine tasting.
Full item descriptions are on our Give Smart site. Text KYCOY26 to 76278 to register!
Advisory Board Members Tony Cipolla BBKY Board Chair
Bella Letto BBKYBoard ViceChair
St. Matthews Fire & EMS
Work
Mario Cipolla Best Buddies Ambassador
Andy Krause MKS Global
Shannon Masterson Kentucky Advocates for Inclusion & Accessibility
Nate Littles Blue & Co
Loren Morris INTEC Building Services Martha Teston JCPS Kat Teston Best Buddies Ambassador Carly Phelps JCPS Exceptional Child Education Department
Teresa Letto BBKY Louisville Citizens Jill Childers ProTurf Inc Addie Childers Best Buddies Ambassador Lee Anne Alsup West End School Devin Reily Univeristy of Louisville
Raffle & Games Two Rare Pours Bourbon Raffles OldForester Birthday Bourbon 150 tickets available — $50 each Pappy Van Winkle 12-Year "Lot B" 150 tickets available — $50 each Tickets are sold separately for each bottle. Purchase your tickets online in advance; sales close at 7:45 PM; winners will be drawn live at 9:30 PM.
Heads or Tails Game Prize: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker with 1 gallon XL side tank in Moonstone Blue $20/necklace or 3 for $50 (max 3 per person). Guess right to stay in — last one standing wins! Pick up your necklace at the silent auction table. Must be present to play.
We are a proud sponsor of the 2026 Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala and of the Champion Candidate Addie Childers
COMMERCIAL LAWN AND LANDSCAPE SERVICES OFFERED Mowing Bed Maintenance Turf Maintenance Trees & Shrubs Landscape Design Irrigation Snow & Ice Removal Annual Color
Quality. Commitment. Dependability. PROVIDING EXCELLENT FULL COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES TO THE LOUISVILLE AND SURROUNDING AREAS FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
Pro Turf Inc. would like to recognize all of the hard work and effort by all of the 2026 Best Buddies Champion candidates and their mission partners!
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
Full Spectrum Technology Solutions Partner MKS Digital: Engineering, IT and Software Development. Onshore, Offshore and Nearshore staffing resources MKS Innovative Products: End to End Product Development, Contract Manufacturing, Flexible Manufacturing, Rework, Metal Fabrication, Prototyping, Reverse Engineering, Custom Welding, Electronics Assembly, and Industrial Metrology MKS Supply Chain Solutions: Supply Chain Development, Contract Negotiations, Capacity Analysis, Supplier Management, Operational Cost Reduction, Inventory Management MKS Consulting Services: LEAN Engineering, Quality Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Intellectual Property Development Advanced R&D, Concept Development www.mksglobal.com Email: information@mksglobal.com Phone: (502) 749-9992 Offices: United States, India, Mexico, China, Singapore, and France
Helping People Live Their Best Life®
BrightSpringHealth.com
Walk. Celebrate. Support.
04.17.27 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/KENTUCKY
Kelly Carrico 502-648-2952 | KellyCarrico@bestbuddies.org
MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER To find your local Best Buddies office, visit: BESTBUDDIES.ORG