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Gala PROgRAM OcTober 30, 2026 Ronald Reagan Building & International trade center - washington, dc

Welcome to the 2026 Champion of the Year Homecoming: Two Parties, One Purpose Gala! On behalf of Best Buddies in Virginia & DC, we are thrilled to welcome you to an unforgettable evening celebrating friendship, inclusion, and the power of community. Tonight is more than a celebration - it is a reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose. Through meaningful friendships, employment opportunities, and leadership development, Best Buddies is creating a world where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are empowered to thrive, belong, and reach their fullest potential. Every connection we celebrate and every dollar raised tonight helps bring that vision to life. Your generosity fuels our mission, strengthens our community, and opens doors to new possibilities. To our sponsors, Champion candidates, donors, volunteers, and dedicated supporters: thank you for your passion, generosity, and commitment to inclusion. You are the heart of our mission, and we are grateful to celebrate alongside you.

Two parties. One purpose. Endless possibilities. 1

Schedule of Events 6:00 - 7:30 PM - VIP Experience, Atrium Oculus - Reserved for VIP ticketed guests 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Chef & Best Buddy Sous Chef Tasting Stations, Silent Auction, Open Bar + Bourbon Tasting, Live Music from Bootsie & the Groove 8:00 PM - Silent Auction Closes - Grab a drink and take your seats 8:00 PM - Stage Program Begins: Introduction of Champions, Mission Moment by Jhiya, Live Auction, Mission Moment by Alex, Bid from the Heart, presentation of the Diane Ray Brown Lifetime of Friendship Award sponsored by Tiffany & Co., Special Elvis Tribute by Alex and Bootsie & the Groove 9:10 PM - Crowning of the 2026 Champion Team of the Year! 9:15 PM - Dessert and dancing with live music from Bootsie & the Groove 10:00 PM - Event concludes - be sure to check out and pick up your silent auction items! Thank you for joining us.

silent auction - how to bid Your participation in the Champion of the Year Gala Silent Auction will help us continue to make a profound impact in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Be sure to support a Champion Team with your bid! Tonight’s silent auction may be accessed on your phone by scanning the QR code or by texting HomecomingCOY26 to 76278. The auction will close at 8:00 PM sharp. NOTE: You do not need to be present to bid and win. Thank you for your bids!

2025 Champion of the year Lisa Rice & Abby Criswell

RAISED $28,130 FOR BEST BUDDIES VADC! “Being a Best Buddies Champion in VA/DC last year let me turn my belief in inclusion into meaningful action. Best Buddies builds real friendships, creates new opportunities, and nurtures a community where everyone belongs. I am proud to be part of such a caring, fun, and impactful organization!" -Lisa Rice, 2025 Grand Champion 3

2026 Champion candidates

Zayd & Zayd & Iman Iman

Matth Matth ew & ew & Max Max

Abby & Abby & Courtney Courtney

George & George & Amirah Amirah

scan to read about the champion candidates!

Connor, Ryan Connor, Ryan & Angela & Angela

Mission moment

JHIYA COOPER Jhiya is 26 years old and has been with Best Buddies for 4 years. Best Buddies has positively impacted her life by helping her gain confidence, and become more outgoing. “I didn't have a lot of friends, and I always felt left out. When I joined Best Buddies, my social circle became bigger. I made friends with my coworkers at Max's Best Ice Cream and I met my buddy, Isabella, in the Best Buddies Citizens Program. We talk a lot on the phone and we have lunch together. I love working at Max's Best Ice Cream because everybody treats me like family there. Whenever I need help with a situation, I go to my manager or one of my coworkers to help me with that matter.”

Jhiya attended the Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in July 2026, where she joined the Public Speaking track. She recently graduated from the Best Buddies Jobs Program, which means she has reached a level of independence where she does not need one-on-one support - we are very proud of Jhiya’s accomplishments!

Thank You To Our Sponsors! T H E B E N D E R F O U N DAT I O N THE RICE FAMILY FOUNDATION

CRAIG DELLORSO

Restaurant Sponsors

Event planning team Jennifer Resick - Gala Chair and Advisory Board Member Olivia Murphy-Costanzo - Development Director Rose Lewis - Communications & Stewardship Manager Lisa Dowell - State Director Alexa Darak - Development Coordinator | Ruby Hurvitz - Madeira Intern VADC Staff & Volunteers

Wine toss & Raffle

WINE TOSS For just $25, try your luck at ringing your favorite bottle of wine. Bottles value from $25 to $100. Everyone is a winner - and you might just catch something extraordinary!

RAFFLE DRAWING For just $25 per ticket, you have the chance to win a two-night stay at the luxurious Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia!

Live auction preview # 94 - STAY & PLAY AT CUTALONG RESORT

This "Stay & Play" Package Includes: One night stay in a private Tributer Resort Villa with four master bedroom suites Two 18-hole rounds of golf for a foursome with carts (one round per day) at Cutalong Golf Club at Tributer Resort in Mineral, VA Member-level access to the Cutalong Clubhouse, Coopers Restaurant, and additional club amenities One bottle of Bardstown Bourbon Spanning more than 1,000 rolling acres shaped by the region's historic mining heritage, the community blends championship golf (Cutalong Golf Club), including a second course being planned, lakeside recreation, and thoughtfully designed real estate into a walkable, village-style setting centered on connection, wellness, and resort-style living. Located just 80 miles from Washington, DC, this package makes a perfect golf trip for you and three friends! Restrictions: Valid through 6/30/2027 based on availability. Required Forecaddie Fees and food & beverage consumption is additional. Donated by Cutalong Golf Club at Tributer Resort

Live auction preview #93 - DEEP CREEK “CHILL INN” STAY

ESCAPE TO ADVENTURE AND RELAXATION WITH A ONE-WEEK STAY AT THE “CHILL INN” IN DEEP CREEK, MARYLAND This spacious 4-bedroom home accommodates up to 14 guests, making it perfect for family getaways or group retreats. Enjoy easy access to the slopes just minutes from the lift or relax on the lake with kayaks and a paddleboard. After a day of outdoor fun, unwind in the private hot tub. Whether you’re seeking skiing, boating, or simply quality time with loved ones, the Chill Inn offers the ultimate Deep Creek experience. Includes a Surprise 3-Pack of Wine to enjoy with your guests! Restrictions: Mutually agreed-upon dates. Stay up to 7 nights (typically Wed-Wed). Blackout dates Jan 18 - Jan 25. Flexible on other dates that renters reserve. Other check-in/out dates allowed, but only one weekend per stay. Expires March 2028. To view current availability: www.deepcreek.com/vacation-rentals/chill-inn Donated by William McClennan & Family

Live auction preview #90 - 2027 FRIENDSHIP WALK GRAND MARSHAL

This is your chance for a once in a Best Buddies lifetime honor to be the Grand Marshal of the 2027 Best Buddies DC Friendship Walk on April 24, 2027 in Washington, DC. Previous Winners Include: John Drew Lee Brown Brandon Elledge Sam Perry Nathaniel Hong Special guest: Sam Cosmi Kirsten Stone Amar Malik

Will YOU Be Next? This Friendship Walk is the largest of all Best Buddies Walks! The winner will join our Friendship Walk Emcee on stage to welcome the walkers, give the Best Buddies Cheer and officially start the Walk with family and friends. You'll also be featured in the official Walk video; have a special flag designating you as the 2027 Grand Marshal and as many photo-ops with Best Buddies as you like! Donated by Best Buddies Virginia & DC

Live auction preview #92 - CANYON RANCH 2-NIGHT STAY Nam ed # 1 in th Wellnes s e Am Mich erica Resor t elin s by Guid e 20 26

ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY 2-NIGHT STAY FOR TWO IN TUCSON, AZ! Your Tucson stay includes gracious shared deluxe accommodations, three nutritious gourmet meals daily, full use of all spa and resort facilities, fitness classes, outdoor activities, round-trip airport transfers, and a $200 nightly resort credit per person towards spa, sport, or wellness services. Tax included.

Restrictions: Expires on 10/30/2027. This gift voucher can only be redeemed at the Canyon Ranch location identified above for eligible products or services. Reservations are required no earlier than 90 days in advance and cancellation fees apply as with standard reservations and bookings. This gift voucher cannot be applied to online reservations and the voucher number is required at time of booking. It is non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be exchanged for cash or used to purchase another voucher. Any balance remaining after a purchase may or may not be carried forward, as per policy. Lost, stolen, or damaged vouchers will not be replaced or refunded, and the holder is responsible for its safekeeping. The voucher may be subject to exclusions, and cannot be combined with other promotions unless stated.

Donated by Canyon Ranch

Live auction preview #95 - BORDEAUX WINE EXPERIENCE

TWO COUPLES TRAVELING TOGETHER WILL ENJOY A THREENIGHT STAY IN A CHÂTEAU IN ROMANTIC BORDEAUX, FRANCE This is the opportunity of a lifetime! During your stay on either the Left or Right Bank, you will receive VIP treatment, including one-of-a-kind vineyard and winery tours, private wine tastings, delectable luncheons and an insider’s look at wine making in France’s most famous wine region. Bon Voyage!

Restrictions: Airfare and ground transportation is not included (e.g. you must rent a car or hire a driver when abroad). Advance notice to book your experience is required and same year travel may not be available. All travel dates must be mutually agreed upon with hosting producers, Total Wine & More, and trip winner. All travelers must be 21 or older. This experience is for two couples only (two rooms), additional travelers cannot be added to any part of the reservation. Lodging is first come first serve, and available weekdays only, March through October. Exclusions and black-out weeks are the weeks before/after the Easter holiday, the months of July and August, as well as any national holidays in hosting country, and/or industry trade related events. **Please note that this trip does NOT expire to accommodate availability and schedules. Donated by Total Wine & More

Mission moment

ALEX DELLATTI Alex is a college student studying Special Education with a passion for supporting students with disabilities. As someone who grew up with a disability and had an IEP throughout school, Alex understands firsthand the importance of inclusion, friendship, and having people who believe in you. Alex discovered Best Buddies in high school and quickly became passionate about its mission. Through Best Buddies, Alex gained confidence, developed meaningful friendships, and learned that being yourself is something to be celebrated. Today, Alex continues to advocate for inclusion and serves as the founder and president of his Best Buddies college chapter. Alex is also an Elvis Presley Tribute Artist, a passion that began after discovering Elvis's music through the movie Lilo & Stitch and later seeing an Elvis tribute show in Las Vegas. Alex believes Elvis's music has a unique ability to bring people together, and enjoys combining that passion with the mission of Best Buddies. Through music, performance, and advocacy, Alex hopes to honor Elvis's generosity and humanity while helping create a world where people with and without disabilities can form genuine friendships and feel included.

Bid from the heart Help us change what is possible with a Bid From Your Heart The Value of Your Donation Best Buddies helps individuals with intellectual and development disabilities form meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, all while feeling valued by society. These are just some of the ways you help support our mission when you donate today:

$7,500+ - Underwrites the employment support that Best Buddies Jobs provides a person with IDD, allowing them to find a job, become financially independent, receive benefits and work alongside others in the community. $5,000 - Supports an elementary school, middle school, high school, or college Chapter for a year. Best Buddies in Virginia & DC currently hosts nearly 100 school chapters across Virginia & DC. There are over 2,100 schools in our area so there is a lot of work left to do! $2,500 - Funds an all-day Leadership training day for up to 50 people with and without IDD, where attendees will gain the public speaking skills and confidence needed to champion inclusion throughout their community. $1,000 - Sends a student to the Leadership Conference at Indiana University over the summer (registration, housing, meals, and travel expenses). $500 - Covers registration for a leader to attend the Leadership Conference at Indiana University; or the cost of a flight to send a student leader to the Leadership Conference. $250 - Supports a one-to-one friendship between someone with and without IDD, helping to build a mutually enriching connection that enhances lives! $100 - Supports inclusion at an early age - supplies training and instruction for interactive activities, lesson plans and toolkits for elementary school students.

Paddle Sweep & Band RAISE THOSE PADDLES FOR A CHANCE TO WIN! Raise your paddle at the $100+ level during our Bid from the Heart for a chance to win a one-night weekend stay at The Watermark Hotel in Tysons, plus two tickets to any Capital One Hall Show in 2027!

bootsie & the groove Led by drummer and Washington Commanders Marching Band Drumline Captain, Paul "Bootsie" Bernfeld, Bootsie & The Groove is an ensemble featuring a dynamic lineup of premier Washington, D.C. musicians. Tonight’s performance features acclaimed vocalist Kemi Adegoroye - a frequent collaborator of Bootsie's, whose shared appearances include performances at Georgetown’s historic Blues Alley alongside Alfred Yun (piano), Corey Emerson (bass/vocals), and Andrew Velez (trumpet/vocals). The www.PaulBernfeld.com

quintet is honored to support Best Buddies tonight, delivering a refined blend of soul, funk, R&B, and country selections.

Diane Ray Brown Lifetime of Friendship Awardee

mark thompson mclean high school Mark Thompson is a special education professional with 42 years of experience. He earned a BA in Psychology from Washington and Lee University and a Masters in Inclusive Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. He has served at McLean High School for the past 24 years as teacher, and for the last 15 years as the Special Education Department Chair. Mr. Thompson brought the Best Buddies program to McLean 15 years ago and has sponsored it ever since. Outside the classroom, he coaches the Special Olympics Basketball team, which he has done since arriving at McLean. Prior to coming to McLean, he was the Behavior Department Supervisor at Phillips Programs in Annandale, Virginia.