Champion of the Year: Houston
Unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.
6:00 PM | Houston, 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!
Use this section to insert custom content.
Honorary Chair
Doug Dawson – Dawson Financial Services, Founding Partner
We are honored to have Doug Dawson serve as our Honorary Chair. A lifelong Houstonian, Doug is a graduate of Memorial High School and a former All-American football player at the University of Texas. He enjoyed a distinguished NFL career from 1984 to 1995, including four seasons with the Houston Oilers under Coach Jack Pardee.
During his time in the NFL, Doug founded Dawson Financial, where he offers clients comprehensive financial planning services. Deeply committed to his community, Doug has been actively involved in numerous charitable organizations throughout Houston. He is especially proud to support Best Buddies and to serve alongside his friend, Jack Krueger.
Schedule
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Cocktails and Passed Hors d’oeuvres
Glam it up for a Picture Perfect Evening!
Silent Auction
Dinner and Program: 7:30 PM
Event Ends: 11:00 PM
Location
The Ballroom at Bayou Place
500 Texas St.
Houston, TX 77002
Event Contact
Congrats to our 2024 Houston Champion of the Year
Jack Krueger & Kevin Harkel
Raised $126,605 for Best Buddies in Houston
Texas: Houston
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
The Krueger Family
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
AmandaCampbell@bestbuddies.org