2026 BBCT COY Program Book

OUR Impact Best Buddies in Connecticut

74

6

Citizens Chapters

School Chapters

3,000

30,000 Impacted

Participants

13

Chapters

178

Participants

14

38

Chapters

Chapters

9

Chapters

Friendship Matches

Leadership

350

190

One-to-One Matches

Leadership Training Participants

Evening Agenda 6:30pm

Doors Open

8:00pm

Welcome by Emcee Taylor Kinzler Regan

8:30pm

Dinner Silent Auction Closes Live Auction Bid from the Heart Raffle Crowning of Champion of the Year

Emcee

Taylor Kinzler Regan is an Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter at NBC Connecticut. You can watch her weekday mornings on NBC Connecticut Today from 5 am to 7 am alongside Eddie Randle and Bob Maxon. She previously served as the longtime host of CT Live.

Taylor received her degree in broadcast journalism from American University in 2015. After working as a production assistant for the National Press Club and NBC Sports Washington, she began her television career as an anchor and reporter at WABI TV5, the CBS affiliate in Bangor, Maine. In 2018, she moved to Connecticut and helped launch NBC Connecticut’s first lifestyle show, CT Live.

Taylor Regan

In 2020, Taylor was named one of Hartford Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”, recognized for her work highlighting local businesses impacted by COVID-19.

In addition to her passion for storytelling, Taylor is actively involved in the community, serving as a volunteer and mentor for Best Buddies Connecticut.

2025 Champion of the Year

Mike James and Derek Regenauer Our 2025 top Champion of the Year team was Mike James and Derek Regenauer. Mike was first introduced to Best Buddies while attending Bryant University in the fall of 2021. After reconnecting with the organization through Stanley Black & Decker in 2024, he officially became a Best Buddies member and volunteer in the spring of 2025.

One of his favorite memories is participating in this year's Friendship Walk as the Grand Marshal, and he and Derek had the opportunity to lead the walk on the Hartford Yard Goats field.

Derek has been involved with Best Buddies since 2013, beginning with the Simsbury High School chapter and now as a member of the Citizens program. Mike and Derek have been matched as a buddy pair since the spring of 2025 and have built a meaningful friendship through their shared commitment to inclusion and community.

Champion Candidates

Taylor, Margo & Brooke Cicciarella

Desmond & Colleen Conway

Kate & Alison Firgelski Margo Meley & Alex Palmer

Varian Salters & Ahren Niles

Tyler Czaplewski & Kim Buckingham

Mary Renker & Andrew white

Wyatt & Cathy Smarz

2025-2026 School Chapters Colleges

update 26-27 schools cz list?

High Schools

Ansonia High School Central Connecticut State University Brookfield High School Eastern Connecticut State University Best Buddies In Connec…

Cheshire High School Fairfield University Coventry High School Quinnipiac University Crosby High School Sacred Heart University Darien High School Southern Connecticut State University Derby High School Trinity College East Lyme High School University of Connecticut Edwin O. Smith High School University of Hartford Ellington High School Enfield High School Fairfield Ludlowe High School Ansonia Middle School Fairfield Warde High School Cross Street Intermediate Glastonbury High School Dag Hammarskjold Middle School Granby Memorial High School Derby Middle School Joel Barlow High School Dodd Middle School Lakeview High School Hillcrest Middle School Lyman Hall High School John F. Kennedy Middle School - Enfield Nathan Hale-Ray High School John F. Kennedy Middle School- Southington Newtown High School Nathan Hale Ray Middle School North Haven High School Seymour Middle School Oxford High School Shelton Intermediate School Pomperaug High School Sacred Heart School Greenwich Elementary Schools Seymour High School Bradley School Shelton High School Doolittle School Simsbury High School Eli Whitney School Southington High School Irving School Staples High School Mead Elementary School Trumbull High School Moody School Waterford High School Norton School Watertown High School Perry Hill School Westhill High School Prendergast Elementary School Woodland Regional High School Sweeney School Vance Elementary School

Middle Schools

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The Patalino Family

S P O N S O R S

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 Supports an elementary school, middle school, high school, or college chapter for a year.

Funds a Job Readiness program workshop $2,500 The cost of funding a Leadership Skill Development training session for students with and without IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities). $1,000 The cost to help support our Friendship Ball, a prom for individuals with and without IDD. $500 Helps provide sensory friendly resources at our events ??

Jobs? - needs edited $250 Provides sensory friendly items for major events $100 Covers supply costs associated with our Leadership Development trainings.

Helps fund sensory friendly items at all of our events.

AT&T is proud to support Best Buddies Connecticut

Please visit us at: www.att.com

Jobs program- ad?

THE HOMETOWN FOUNDATION TheHometownFoundation, Inc. isanon-profit charitable organizationcommittedto supporting those in needin conjunctionwithBozzuto's, Inc., itsfamilyof retailers,and communitybusiness partners. TheHometown Foundation, establishedin2002, raises moneyto support a broad rangeofprograms that meet communityneeds.

The Foundation's commitment centers around five areas of charitable focus. Our year-round programs are devoted to strengthening our local communities to create a more cohesive and inclusive society. By supporting these endeavors you are directly servicing individuals in need, assisting in program development and growing our year-round missions.

For more information:visitwww.hometownfoundation.org HOME OF THE DREAM RIDE EXPERIENCE!

FIVE PILLARS OF CHARITABLE FOCUS: ANIMAL WELFARE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL INDIVIDUALS W/ INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MAJOR ILLNESS OR THOSE IN NEED MILITARY

Rooted in Purpose. Growing for Good.

Wise Oak Strategies is proud to sponsor the Best Buddies Gala and celebrate the incredible power of inclusion, friendship, and community.

As a consulting firm dedicated exclusively to non-profit organizations, we work hand-in-hand with mission-driven leaders to maximize their impact. From strategic planning and board advancement to fundraising infrastructure and special events, our team brings over 40 years of combined experience to help non-profits grow, thrive, and achieve operational efficiency.

We applaud Best Buddies for their life-changing work in fostering a more inclusive world. Together, we are building stronger communities and brighter futures.

Learn more: wiseoakstrategies.com Get in touch: info@wiseoakstrategies.com

Proudly Supports Team Taylor!

Designs from the heart CUSTOM fLORALS @PJORIGINALSEVENTS

Call or text Pam Gugliemino 203-232-8305

Proud to Proud to support support Best Best Buddies in Buddies in Connecticut Connecticut Wishing you Wishing you a a wonderful wonderful Evening!

Evening! the patalino the patalino family family

Mouth To Hand Learning Center supports nonspeakers and individuals with motor-based communication challenges by offering typing for communication sessions, a variety of educational classes, parent and practitioner training courses, and more. We take pride in helping students gain the ability to express themselves and make choices in life.

Congratulations Your fundraising effortsand community outreach shows your dedication tosupporting Best Buddies, their mission, and peoplewith intellectual and developmental disabilities.

chelseagroton.com

| 860-448-4200

Gaffney, BennettandAssociates, Inc. Government RelationsandPolitical Consulting

ONE LIBERTY SQUARE NEW BRITAIN, CT 06051 (860) 229-0301

BUILDERS OF QUALITY

BARNS & GARAGES

Rt. 83 Ellington 860-896-0636 BarnYard.com

Celebrating & Empowering Inclusion in Our Community

Congratulations to the Champion of the Year and a big thank you to the Champion Candidates for their impactful fundraising! We are proud to sponsor the Best Buddies Champion of the Year event.

ThomastonSB.com | 860.283.1874 Member FDIC

Empowering Members for Financial Success WCTFCUprovides financial products andservices to teachers,administrators, BOE Employees and their families in public, private and parochial schools within 28 towns and 22 school districts.

Visit our Membership webpage at wctfcu.com for eligibility details.

Contemporary Services. Traditional Values.

773 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT • 203.758.9500 110 Federal Road, Danbury, CT • 203.791.1117 800.992.2226 • WCTFCU.com Equal Housing Lender

Federally Insured by NCUA

one open door can open doors across a community.

Our most important work happens outside the four walls of our bank. KeyBank gets involved, supporting people who make a difference and working with community-focused organizations through investments, philanthropy, and volunteering. We believe that together we can keep our communities full of hope, compassion, and opportunity, one open door at a time. KeyBank thanks Best Buddies for making a difference.

©2026 KeyCorp®. All rights reserved. KeyBank Member FDIC. 260311-4028128-1300740615

Since 1825, Liberty Bank has been dedicated to helping families throughout Connecticut. Today, we continue this commitment by helping to improve the lives of our customers, teammates and communities for generations to come.

We are delighted to partner with organizations like Best Buddies Connecticut that share our commitment, and help make our communities great places to live and work. We are proud to sponsor the 2026 Champion of the Year Gala and spread kindness by supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in our communities.

liberty-bank.com

Member FDIC

congrats congrats

2026 ChAMPIONS!

10022026

Hartford steamboiler ad

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O U R B O A R D , C O M M I T T E E M E M B E R S A N D S T A F F

Board Members Kyle Brower Darrel Gibson Heather Iannanone Deb Lavigne

Ron Merek - Board Chair Nancy Meyer Dave Renker Sarah Swartz Andrew White

Committee Members Colleen Foley Mike James Deb Lavigne - Committee Chair Kathleen Moran Olivia Mellilo Nancy Meyer

Anna Nichols Pam Nicols Isabelle Pantalino Cathy Smarz Andrew White

Staff Lezlye Zupkus, State Director Lisa Enright, Director of Mission Advancement Elizabeth Navarro, Deputy Director of Jobs Kady Allen, Programs Supervisor Audra Fleury, Program Manager Emily Noonan, Program Manager

Thank You to Our Auction Donors!

Thank You to Our Auction Donors!

ball picture

Best Buddies In Connec…

Walk. Celebrate. Support.

April 2027

05.02.2027

Fairfield Friendship Walk

Hartford Friendship Walk Dunkin Donuts Park

Fairfield University

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/CONNECTICUT BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/YOURSTATEHERE

Best Buddies in Connecticut 203-234-3996 | Connecticut@bestbuddies.org

MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER To find your local Best Buddies office, visit: BESTBUDDIES.ORG