Virtual Champion of the Year: Arizona

unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.

Friday, November 6, 2020

6:00 PM | The Social Television Network — Broadcast to YouTube Live

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Through raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies, our Champions will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). At the campaign’s conclusion, we will join together to celebrate each other’s accomplishments, honor the Champions’ collective impact, and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!

Help us continue to provide these meaningful opportunities to people with IDD by supporting a Champion’s campaign, purchasing tickets, becoming a corporate sponsor, or making a general donation to the cause. We hope you’ll join us in this global movement!

At the conclusion of the 10-week campaign, we hope you’ll join us for the 17th Annual Spirit of Friendship Gala, where we will crown our newest Champion of the Year! This year, we are hosting a Roaring Twenties, speakeasy-themed evening that will make you feel like the bee’s knees! The event will feature an inspiring program, gourmet food provided by M Culinary with a custom cocktail basket*, a spectacular live and silent auction, and amazing entertainment. In an effort to keep all of our friends safe, we will be hosting this event to you virtually this year — meaning all these 5-star touches will be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home!

*Food and beverages only provided to corporate sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to Trevor Paxton at trevorpaxton@bestbuddies.org.

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Schedule

Monday, November 2
Silent Auction Opens (via GiveSmart)

Wednesday, November 4
Live Auction Opens (via GiveSmart)

Event Day | Friday, November 6

3:00 PM -5:00 PM: Dinner & Cocktail Baskets delivered to your home by M Culinary
5:45 PM: Cocktails + Event Countdown (via YouTube Live)
6:00 PM: Virtual Event Program Begins (Hosted by Tara Hitchcock)
7:00 PM: Virtual Event Ends

Location

YouTube LIVE
youtube.com/bestbuddiesaz

Note: You will receive the link to the live stream prior to the event.

The 17th Annual Spirit of Friendship Gala will be broadcast LIVE from:
The Social Television Network
920 E Madison St
Suite 170
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Congrats to our 2019 Arizona Champion of the Year

John Mitman

Raised $62,409 for Best Buddies in Arizona

Click here for our Nationwide Champion Winners

Meet our 2020 Arizona Champion Candidates…

Alesia Thomason

Britt Kremer

Kevin Mendivil

Lily Sugar

Matt Shott

Michael Stavros

Reda Riddle-Bigler

Jessica Glass

Nominate a Champion

Why Participate...

All funds raised benefit Best Buddies – the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

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.

Learn More