F R I D AY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 2 0
Dear Friends We are honored to welcome you to Tastebuds with a Twist! Though tonight’s festivities may feel and look a bit different than our traditional event —our purpose has never been so clear. With the uncertainty and heartbreak our world has faced over the past few months—our participants, staff, volunteers, parents, teachers, and community members have all banded together to support one another and to model the powerful message of inclusion. As a result, Best Buddies in Maryland has been able to quickly implement digital supports for our 123 school chapters, 188 Citizens participants, and 28 Jobs participants across the state of Maryland. Our staff and school of friendship chapters work creatively to find new and exciting ways to stay connected through various virtual events, ambassador trainings, and job coaching assistance. Everyday we are reminded just how fortunate we are and how amazing our community is here at Best Buddies. With that being said—we would love to take this opportunity to thank all the amazing people who made tonight possible, i.e. corporate sponsors, restaurant partners, beverage providers, mission
movers and volunteers. We are incredibly grateful for your continuous support.
We would also like to give a special shout-out to our incredible advisory board, and event committee. Their year round commitment and passion for inclusion has allowed us the opportunity to change lives across our state and to keep furthering our work. Last but certainly not least, I would also like to take a moment to recognize the Best Buddies in Maryland staff, not only for their efforts with tonight’s event but for their continuous dedication and commitment to our mission and our communities. “With every great journey, there is a first step.” We have had many first steps when it comes to all aspects of our programs this past year. We are so grateful to have you a part of this journey and for helping us keep making these first steps together in new schools, new communities, new partnerships, and new lives. Thank you for all you do and please enjoy the show!
Laura Nicolini State Director Best Buddies in Maryland
AT H O M E
5:30-6:30 PM
Food pickup at Maryland State Fairgrounds
8:00-9:30 PM
P r e s e n t a t i o n & e n t e r t a i n m e n t vi a Z o o m W in e e x p e r t
D r i n k d e mo f r o m m i x o l o g i s t C h e f d e mo N e l l y ’s E c h o p e r f o r ma n c e 9:30 PM
S i l e n t a u ct i o n c l o se s a n d e ve n t c o n cl u d e s
OUR SPONSORS
OUR COMMITTEE
OUR MISSION MOVERS
Cathy Williams
Chloe Thomas
Dave Hochrein
Deja Reece
Laura Feiler
Jacqueline Needle
Laura Kaminski
Joey Feiler
Mike Stack
Lanaya Williams
Steve Wientge Tanya Thompson Tom Arnett Auction Chair: Christina Evans
To O u r P a s t R e s t a u r a n t s
We can’t wait to see you back again for Tastebuds November 2021!
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 • 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 $2,500 • 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 $350 • 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
Jake and Joey met at their chapter’s first Best Buddies meeting back in 2019, and have been matched for 2 years ever since! Jake and Joey love to talk and hang out together. Whether it’s at the movies, bowling, or one of their chapter events. Jake and Joey have a great friendship!
Register: Text TASTEBUDSMD2020 to (76278) Donate: Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278) *You can also bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered
Since 1974, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood has been recognized as the premier restaurant of the Maryland delicacy known as the Crab Cake. We use only the finest ingredients from our homemade recipe handed down from generation to generation. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood is proud to offer its sensational, mouth-watering Colossal Crab Cakes to all of our fans across the United States.
M A K E A F R I E N D | D O N A T E | V O L UN T E E R B E S T B U D D I E S . O R G / T AS T E B U D S M D