GALA PROGRAM BOOK
Event Overview 6:00 PM Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction Opens 6:45 PM Buffet Opens 7:25 PM Program Begins 8:00 PM Silent Auction Closes 9:15 PM The Grand Champion is Crowned! 9:20 PM Silent & Live Auction Checkout Opens & Dance Party Begins
Thank you to our
Gala Sponsors
Welcome Friends of Best Buddies Thank you for joining us tonight at the 2026 Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala! Your enthusiasm and commitment make this special evening possible and play an important role in advancing friendship, meaningful employment, leadership development, and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout the Fresno community. We are thrilled to host our second Champion of the Year Gala in Fresno. Over the past several years, we have seen incredible momentum throughout the Central Valley. From the continued growth of our Friendship Walk to the return of Champion of the Year last year, our community continues to show up in meaningful ways for the Best Buddies mission. Together, these signature events are helping us reach more people, strengthen our programs, and create a more inclusive Fresno. This mission is deeply personal to me. Every day, I have the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of inclusion through our participants, volunteers, families, employers, and community partners. I am continually inspired by the friendships formed, confidence built, opportunities created, and sense of belonging that Best Buddies fosters across all of our programs. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our partners and supporters who make this work possible. Your belief in the Best Buddies mission allows us to continue creating pathways to friendship, inclusion, and independence throughout the Central Valley. To our Champions, Mission Partners, and Campaign Managers, thank you for your passion, commitment, and tireless advocacy. Your efforts throughout this campaign have brought our mission to life and inspired others to join us in building a more inclusive community. Together, we are planting the seeds for a future where everyone is valued, included, and given the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for being part of the Best Buddies family and for helping inclusion continue to grow throughout Fresno. In Friendship,
Deanna Allen Best Buddies Manager of Mission Advancement
Silent Auction Online Bidding Process How to register for the auction: Text FresnoCOY26 to 76278 How to find an item: On the mobile bidding platform, click “View Items” You can browse auction items by scrolling through the full list, using the search bar, or selecting a specific category to narrow your results How to bid on an item: Find the item you’d like to bid on online Select the item and place a “Bid” Place an auto bid to set a maximum bid How to find the items you bid on: Items you have bid on can be found under “My Activity” How to tell if you were outbid: You will receive a text message when you’ve been outbid Alternatively, navigate to “My Activity” to check the status of your bids
Online Donation Process How to donate: Go to FresnoCOY26.givesmart.com or click on the text you received at check-in Click “Donate” on the auction page Select the Champion you would like to credit Choose a donation amount or enter a custom amount Confirm your donation and complete your payment. If you did not provide a credit card during registration, enter your payment information when prompted
CHAMPION CANDIDATES
N I C O L A S C H E R RY
M A D DY F L E T C H E R
CHELSEA MCCUE
S T E P H A N I E K E N YO N
M AT T H E W L I N E
ALEXANDRA MARTINEZ
MADDIE PENA
A LYC E M U R I L L O
CASSY RODRIGUEZ
VA L E R I A G A R I B AY, M A L I Y Z A L O N G , RANA AHMED, & LILLIAN MARTINEZ
MISSION PARTNERS & CAMPAIGN MANAGERS
RYA N YO S T
B R I T TA N Y L U J A N
GABBY MCLOUGHLIN
DAV E C A S T R O
SEAN KING
J A C K M I L L A R , W E N DY M E E & CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS
LILI TORRES & MARCUS ESPINO
HARMONY & GRACE NEGRETE
DA M I A N R O D R I G U E Z
ONE-TO-ONE FRIENDSHIPS
INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
INCLUSIVE LIVING
FAMILY SUPPORT
HISTORY
MISSION
We are the world's largest organization
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit
dedicated to ending the social, physical,
501(c)(3) organization dedicated to
and economic isolation of the 200
establishing a global volunteer
million people with intellectual and
movement that creates opportunities for
developmental disabilities (IDD).
one-to-one friendships, integrated
Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver,
employment, leadership development,
Best Buddies has grown from one
inclusive living, and family support for
original chapter to nearly 2,900 chapters
individuals with intellectual and
worldwide, positively impacting the
developmental disabilities (IDD).
lives of over 1.25 million people with and without IDD. Best Buddies programs
VISION
engage participants in each of the 50
To put Best Buddies out of business.
states and 54 countries around the
Best Buddies envisions a world where
world.
people with IDD are so successfully
WHO WE SERVE The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
integrated into schools, workplaces, and communities that its current efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until that vision becomes a reality, the organization will continue to educate students, community members, corporations, and employers about the emotional, functional, and natural needs and abilities of people with IDD.
Central Valley Friendship Chapters & Jobs Placements
Elementary School Chapters Coarsegold Elementary School McKinley Elementary School
Middle School Chapters Glacier Point Middle School Grow Academy Kastner Intermediate School
High School Chapters Bullard High School Liberty High School Mission Oaks High School Sanger High School Sanger West High School
College Chapter California Polytechnic State University - SLO
Employer Partners Andy Frain Services Campus Catering / Clovis Unified School District Clovis Community Medical Centers Community Regional Medical Center Department of Rehabilitation El Super Fresno Chaffee Zoo Goodwill Jersey Mike's Nike OfficeMax Pieology Provider Contract Food Service San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust Smart & Final Thomas Cuisine
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES One-to-One Friendship JOIN A CHAPTER Join an existing school chapter! We have clubs at schools with & without special education programs.
START A CHAPTER Be an inclusion leader by starting a chapter! Receive support from Best Buddies staff every step of the way.
JOIN CITIZENS (18+) Make a friend while participating in inclusive activities with adults with and without IDD in your local area.
JOIN E-BUDDIES Sign up for our email-based pen pal program. E-Buddies provides virtual one-to-one friendship opportunities.
Integrated Employment HOST A MOCK INTERVIEW
TEACH A JOB SKILL
Conduct a practice interview for a jobseeking participant. We'll provide the interview questions, you ask away!
Promote workplace readiness by teaching job skills to participants who are seeking competitive employment.
JOIN A CAREER PANEL
INVOLVE YOUR EMPLOYER
Chat with Best Buddies participants about your job and offer advice on how to enter into your career field.
Share the mission by encouraging your employer to participate in Best Buddies events and programs.
Leadership Development BECOME AN AMBASSADOR Attend an ambassador training to learn speech writing, public speaking, and advocacy skills.
BRING AN AMBASSADOR TO YOUR COMMUNITY Invite an ambassador to speak about inclusion at your school or workplace!
BE A SPEECH COACH
HOST A TRAINING
Attend a training as a speech coach to support an individual on their journey to
Get a group together to level up your leadership. We provide the content, you lead the training!
becoming an ambassador.
Signature Events & Advisory Board JOIN A COMMITTEE
ATTEND THE FRIENDSHIP WALK
Support the event planning process by joining a committee. Assist with logistics, publicity, sponsorships, and more!
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). Register today at BestBuddiesFriendshipWalk.org!
JOIN A LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD Advisory board members commit to a two-year term where they utilize their skills and connections to expand our reach at the local level. *There is an application and interview process for this volunteer opportunity.
For inquiries, contact DeannaAllen@BestBuddies.org
2025 GRAND CHAMPION OF THE YEAR Nick Farsakian Raised over $15,225 for Best Buddies in Fresno
Fresno Advisory Board Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our programs all year long!
Dave Castro – Chair Executive Coach Fresno County Office of Education Cassondra Rodriguez – Vice Chair Human Resources Professional Alicia Romer – Secretary Sr. Manager, Small Business Engagement PG&E Sean King Food Service Associate Fresno Chaffee Zoo John McCormick Business Owner TCB Roadside Chelsea McCue Community Disabilities Advocate Susanne Peterson Teacher and Best Buddies Chapter Advisor Sanger West High School Sal Rodriguez Community Networker Andrea Sauceda Revenue Officer Girl Scouts of Central California South
SPECIAL
THANKS 2026 Champion of the Year Gala Committee Marceen Farsakian Erin Webb Sharon Johnson Serena O’Rourke Dr. Heather Bowlin Wendy Reed Charcuterie Appetizers Dan Morrow and Margie Webb Centerpieces Kathy Mulvey Carolyn Tellalian Nancy Simpson Shelly Parrish Heather Bowlin Erin Webb Marceen Farsakian Auctioneer Ryan LaCosse, State Director - Best Buddies in Michigan Best Buddies Ambassadors and Volunteers Ryan Yost Sean King Nick Farsakian Gabby McLoughlin Kalia Lopez Fresno Best Buddies Staff Alex Mendoza Nicole Rodriguez Rebecca Chadbourne Elyse Hagen Katie Lynn Lili Torres
Let’s Talk About Your Hiring Needs We are seeking employment partners ready to make a difference! When you hire through Best Buddies, you’re not just filling a position. You’re helping build a more inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. Contact NicoleRodriguez@bestbuddies.org to Learn More
May 8th, 2027 Kastner Intermediate School Join us at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gather your friends, family, and coworkers, start a team, and walk with us as we create a more inclusive community, one step at a time. Register today and walk for inclusion!
BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/FRESNO For inquiries, contact DeannaAllen@BestBuddies.org
MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER BESTBUDDIES.ORG/CALIFORNIA
T H A N K YO U !