Saturday, November 11, 2023
6:00 – 11:00 PM | Houston, TX
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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, and leadership development. At the Best Buddies Champion of the Year celebration, we honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!
Schedule
Saturday, November 11, 2023
6:00 PM Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction
7:30 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Program Begins
9:15 PM Champion of the Year winner is announced
9:30 PM Dancing and Live Entertainment
Attire: Cocktail
Location
The Ballroom at Bayou Place
500 Texas Ave.
Houston, TX 77002
Book Your Stay At
The Lancaster Hotel
701 Texas Ave
Houston, TX 77002
Event Contact
Gala Chairs: Michelle “CC” and Scott “Duke” Ensell
Honorary Chairs: Logan Lester and Heidi Somers
Event Chairs:
Scott “Duke” and Michelle “CC” Ensell
Duke founded Admiral Transfer & Rigging which specializes in over-the-road, heavy-haul services. They are both Best Buddies Advisory Board members; Gala chairs in 2017 and 2022; Auction chairs in 2018; Walk team sponsors since 2015.
Honorary Chair:
Logan Lester Tafelski
Logan Lester Tafelski was crowned Miss Texas USA 2018. She began her journey in pageantry in 2011, earning her first title of Miss Houston Teen 2012, Miss Houston 2016 and finally, culminating with her crowning of Miss Texas USA in 2018. At Miss USA, Logan finished in the Top 15 representing the great state of Texas.
Honorary Chair:
Heidi Somers
Heidi Somers is the Owner and CEO of Buffbunny Collection, a luxury athletic wear brand built for women by women. But before creating her business, Heidi was a small-town girl looking to make a difference in the world.
Emcee:
Sarah Pepper
Sarah Pepper is an award-winning broadcaster with over 20 years of experience in radio. Sarah loves to make people laugh but what she loves most about radio is the local impact you can have when you harness the power of radio and the passion of listeners.
Congrats to our 2023 Houston Champion of the Year
Jordyn Ensell and her Mission Partner Juliette Molloy
Raised $83,974.72 for Best Buddies in Houston
Click here for our Nationwide Champion Winners
A Glimpse of the Party…
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.
We Love our Sponsors!
Title Sponsors:
Additional Sponsors:
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
juliegarza@bestbuddies.org
832.673.0305