Champion of the Year: Central Texas
Unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.
6:00 PM | Austin, TX
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Champion of the Year event! Because of you, we were able to raise funds to sustain and help expand our Best Buddies programs in the area. We look forward to having you at next year’s event. With your help and support, our mission of inclusion lives on!
Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide.
Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaign. Our Champions advocate for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development, inclusive living and family support. At the Best Buddies Champion of the Year celebration, we honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!
The Best Buddies Champion of the Year competition has kicked off! Support the Champions and help us crown the winner at this year’s All You Need is Love Gala on November 13, 2025.
Over the next 10 weeks, Champion Candidates from across Central Texas will go head-to-head in a fun and friendly competition to raise critical funds and awareness for Best Buddies.
The Champion of the Year gala is the grand finale where these nominated leaders rally their communities to support inclusion in friendship, leadership, jobs, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Support a team by selecting their name when purchasing a sponsorship or individual tickets to the Gala! Then join us for a fun, inspiring evening to honor the Candidates and celebrate the Grand Champion while enjoying a curated Live Auction, a “something-for-everyone” Silent Auction, grooves by Mixer Rogers, signature cocktails and award-winning KG BBQ (Michelin Bib Gourmand, James Beard Semifinalist, and Semifinalist on Netflix’s “Barbeque Showdown)!
Glam it up and prepare to get your groove on for a night you don’t want to miss!
Schedule
Thursday, November 13, 2025
6:00 PM Cocktails, Bid and Mingle
7:15 PM Dinner and Program
9:00 PM Champion Celebration with DJ Mixer Rogers
10:00 PM Event Concludes
Attire: Elevated Groovy
Location
Distribution Hall
1500 E 4th St.
Austin, TX 78702
Event Contact
Congrats to our 2024 Central Texas Champion of the Year
Livi and Annabel Fitzgerald and William Suter
Raised $104,712 for Best Buddies in Central Texas
Texas: Central Texas
A Glimpse of the Party...
Why Participate...
All funds raised benefit Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Signature Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
Family of Jack Jones
The Avery Family
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact: