W E L C O M E
Dear Best Buddies Family,
This ten-week philanthropic competition, generously presented and hosted by Best Buddies in Tampa, applauds the dedication of local professionals and community leaders across Tampa Bay. These champions have been nominated to raise both funds and awareness in support of Best Buddies’ mission.
Following this campaign, all candidates and their buddy campaign managers will be celebrated at our Champion of the Year Gala on Saturday, November 15.
The pinnacle of the evening arrives when the candidate who has made the most significant impact through their fundraising efforts is crowned the Grand Champion of the Year!
The proceeds from this gala will be channeled directly to Best Buddies South Florida, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This funding will be pivotal in creating more friendships, nurturing leadership opportunities, and fostering meaningful employment for thousands of individuals, both with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, in honor of our beloved South Florida community. We are eagerly looking forward to celebrating this remarkable evening with you!
Andi Allen State Director
Mission Speaker
Genny’s journey with Best Buddies began at age 19. Determined to live independently, she moved to Tampa. With the support of the Best Buddies Jobs Program, she achieved her dream of meaningful employment.
Genny now works as a Destination Ambassador at Visit Tampa Bay’s Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center.
Genny lives with hydrocephalus, a lifelong condition that isn’t visible — but has shaped her strength, resilience, and passion for advocacy. Beyond her career, she is an active member of the Hydrocephalus Association, where she continues to raise awareness and build community.
Genny’s story is a powerful reminder that inclusion and opportunity can change lives!
ENtertainment
Corinne Bach is a powerhouse soprano and storyteller whose voice and versatility have taken her from opera houses to Broadway stages and around the world. Known for her radiant tone and captivating presence, she’s performed leading and featured roles in national and international productions, including the First National Broadway Tour of The Music Man. Corinne has also shared the stage with artists such as Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli, and headlined concert stages and luxury cruise lines across Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.
Her signature show, Bach to Broadway, celebrates the full arc of her career — weaving together timeless classics, showstoppers, and unexpected favorites with a blend of elegance, humor, and heart.
Offstage, Corinne is the founder and artistic director of The Bach School of Voice, based in Tampa, Florida. Corinne’s students can be found performing on professional stages, in collegiate programs, and in their local communities — carrying forward her belief that singing is both a discipline and a lifelong joy!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
THANK YOU TO OUR Show-stopping 2025 AUCTION DONORS
1905 Family Restaurants
3 Corners
AMC Apple
American Victory Ship
B&L Sales
Bacchus
Bad Monkey
BarFly
Besito
Bliss Jewelry
Blissologie Beauty
Bloomin' Brands
Blue Coast LO
Body Bar Pilates
BodyRok
Brew Bus Seminole Heights
Buff City Soap
Central Rock Gym Tampa
Cox Kitchen LLC
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Threshers
Club at Westin Hills
Cooper's Hawk
Crate & Barrel
Cru Cellars / Small Giant
Dane Capo Art
Del Mar Saloon
Disney
Divine Pressure
Elite Vacations
Facial Mania Med Spa
FanDuel
Florida Aquarium
Florida Railroad Museum
Full Throttle Guitar
Glazer Children’s Museum
Go Eat
Great Explorations
Heavenly Nails
Heights Meat Market
Hounds Meow
Hunger Thirst Group
Hyatt Coconut Point
I Smash
Raquel Beautiful
Joffrey’s Coffee House
Jotoro
Jules Car Wash
Kendra Scott
Landry's
Life is Good
Lululemon
MetroLagoons
Monster
MOSI
Motor Enclave
Neiman Marcus
Nespresso
Noble Crust
Ocean Foam
Orlando Magic
Patio
PDQ
PF Chang's
Pickle and Pint
Picnics Perfected
Pin Chasers
Pilates Movement Studio
Pirate Water Taxi
Lost Pearl
PRP Wine
Precise Barware
Press Box
Pure Barre South Tampa
Red Mesa
Retreat Tampa
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Salt Shack
Salt Leaf Golf Preserve
alvador Dalí Museum
SeaBags
Sea Camp
Seasons 52
Shepherd’s Beach Resort
Side Splitters Comedy Club
Skin Firm Aesthetics & Wellness
Sonos
Splitsville
Starbucks
SOHO Saloon
Stumpy’s Hatchet House
Sunken Gardens
Tampa Bay Boat Fun
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tampa Bay Sporting Clays
Tampa Bay Watch
Tampa Pickleball Crew
Tangle Me Knot
The Hound’s Meow
Three Daughters Brewing
Topgolf
Turtlebox
Venetian Nail Spa
Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch
Wagamama
Westward Outfitters LLC
Wine on Water Street
WonderWorks
Wright's Gourmet House
Yacht StarShip
Yard House
ZooTampa
Meet Our Cast
Claire Wisth
Jeff Minaya
Joel Tate
Riley Howington
Tricia O’Connor
Sarah Roddenberry
Champions Champions
Meet OUr Cast
Dana Brown Alexis Flanagan
Raquel Caramello
Amber Hamon
Matthew Hart
Cameron Healy
Joie
Smith
Casey Kimerling
Chase Neely
Alphonso Murphy
Meet Our Cast
Janet Caramello
Andrea Castillo
Becca Barnett
Kellie
Howard
Josh Felder
Joey Cirillo
Christina Hundley
Jon Sandow
Hunter Owens
Jill Purcell
Campaign Managers
Campaign Managers
The LiCalzi Family
Luke with his nieces and nephews on vacation
Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable commitment of Luke LiCalzi to Best Buddies and its mission. Thank you for your leadership and unwavering dedication to helping others. Your devotion to people in need and the young members of our family is truly amazing. We are deeply grateful for all that you do.
2024 Champion of the Year
We are so grateful for our incredible Champion duo, Mike and SanDee Jakubik, and their dedicated Mission Partners, Kellie Howard and Cameron Healey, who went above and beyond to raise an amazing $67,000 to support of Best Buddies in Tampa Bay!
Your leadership, generosity, and commitment to creating a more inclusive community have made a tremendous impact. Thank you, Mike, SanDee, Kellie, and Cameron, for being true advocates for inclusion and inspiring everyone around you!
Bid From the Heart
$20,000 Level
Champion employment development for 3 participants on their journey to meaningful careers. The Best Buddies Jobs Program helps individuals with IDD achieve paid employment and the independence that comes with it.
10,000 Level
Funds our annual "Friendship Ball" - an inclusive prom for friends with and without IDD to come together and celebrate inclusion. (This is a free event for all participants)
$5,000 Level
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 Level
Fund an Ambassador training for people with and without IDD; attendees will gain the public speaking, self-advocacy skills and confidence needed to champion inclusion throughout the community. Provide stipends to 10 teachers to carry out programmatic activities.
$1,000 Level
Give a student leader, Ambassador or Jobs participant the opportunity to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, where they will create community and learn advocacy skills. Provide stipends to 4 teachers to carry out programmatic activities.
$250 Level
Support a 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.
$100 Level
Fund an online e-buddies friendship between a person with & without an IDD. This program allows participants to become more social and technology-literate, leading to more advanced career opportunities.
