Inclusion
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the the Unmasking Inclusion Gala for Best Buddies in Colorado. Tonight we celebrate, recognize and uplift the valuable members in our communities who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Champion of the Year philanthropic competition for Best Buddies celebrates participants and community leaders who have been nominated as “Champions of Inclusion” to raise funds and increase awareness for the mission of Best Buddies. Throughout their campaign, these individuals have worked tirelessly to elevate our cause and tonight are being honored for their efforts. The Champion candidate who raises the most funds for Best Buddies, surpassing all rivals in this competition, will be named the 2024 Champion of the Year for Denver, Co
All funds raised by the Champions along with the proceeds from this Gala, will directly benefit the local programs of Best Buddies in Colorado to create more friendships, develop leadership experiences, cultivate integrated employment opportunities and advance new programs for hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the State. Thank you for your support of this worthy mission! We are thriving in the pursuit to provide meaningful connections for all abilities because of YOU - our donors and volunteers.
In Friendship
Rachael Fischer
Rachael Fischer State Director, Best Buddies in Colorado
Champion Candidates
Margaret Hughes
Rachel Lutz
Sarah McCarthy
Zoe Parsons Amanda Sanchez
Lloyd and Kennedy Lewis
Steve Hagenlock Annie Roberts
Denver Advisory Board
Lloyd Lewis, Board Chair CEO ARC Thrift Stores
Kristen Lervik, Vice Chair Board Certified Physician Assistant
Amanda Sanchez, Program Committee Poudre Valley Schooll District
Morgan Russo, Denver Citizens Lead Sales Director
Sarah McCarthy, Secretary Silicon Valley Bank
Kelsey Parisi, Castle Rock Citizens Lead Special Education Teacher
Emily Gillis, Income Development Chair Aramark Facilities Center
Jennifer Gonzales, Special Events Chair, USAA
RashmiTalwar, EventChair DouglasCountySchoolDistrict
Jillian Ball Shivam Talwar
Shivam Talwar’s journey with Best Buddies began in 2017 as a sophomore at Castle View High School. Starting as a Buddy, he quickly became a Champion, representing his school and showcasing his talents at events like the Best Buddies Walks and Galas in Denver and Aspen. His dedication earned him the honor of becoming Colorado’s first State Ambassador, where he’s used his voice to promote inclusion. This year, Shivam was one of only five Ambassadors chosen to speak at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference closing ceremony in Indiana, addressing an audience of over 2,000. His mission is to inspire communities to focus on abilities, not disabilities, and his journey has only just begun.
Jillian Ball is a confident and capable 18 year old young woman. She loves her family and her besties and has benefited greatly over her lifetime from programs that honor her intelligence and her gifts and her desire to be like every other human, included in a meaningful way in her community. This is why Jillian values Best Buddies and the mission to support and serve those with developmental differences. Jillian's family has always pushed for inclusive activities like dance, theatre, orchestra, and Girl Scouts. It made perfect sense for Jillian to participate in the Best Buddies program at Broomfield High School where she was, in fact, matched with a few kids who were new friends, but also some students who had been classmates since kindergarten and first grade. Jillian was truly and legitimately included in her high school community, owing so much of that to the Best Buddies program. Best Buddies makes it "cool" to be kind, and maybe that's why Jillian loves it so much. She is, after all, one of the coolest and kindest young women around.
Best Buddies Family Support offers families the support and resources needed to navigate the journey of raising a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Eunie’s Buddies serves as the pioneering program within the Family Support initiative. It is named affectionately in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics and a true hero who advocated tirelessly for positive change in the lives of individuals with IDD.
Eunie's Buddies pairs experienced parents of a child with an IDD with new parents who are expecting, have just welcomed a baby, or are raising a child up to the age of five years old who has been recently diagnosed with an IDD. This pairing creates a mentor–mentee connection and friendship. Eunie’s Buddies provides a framework offering parents and caregivers encouragement, emotional support, and valuable resources Participation in Eunie’s Buddies helps families pave the way for a child with IDD to have an education, gainful employment, and a fulfilled life.
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
$10,000
• 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
$5,000
• 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
$500
• 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
PROUDLY CONGRATULATE
