unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.
November 9, 2023
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM PST| Los Angeles, CA
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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!

Auctioneer: Ellen Toscano – The Singing Auctioneer
Graduate from NYU, 10-year principal performer in San Francisco’s “Beach Blanket Babylon,” recording artist and Benefit Auctioneer & Fundraising Consultant extraordinaire!
Schedule
Thursday, November 9, 2023
6pm-7pm: Cocktails
7pm – 10pm: Dinner and program
Location
The Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Parking:
Parking is free. There is a lot at the venue that will be marked for parking.
Directions to Parking:
If you’re on Sepulveda Blvd going North Bound, you will turn LEFT onto Herscher Way If you’re on Sepulveda Blvd going South Bound, you will turn RIGHT onto Herscher Way Once you’re at the Stop sign, turn left Enter the parking garage and find an open parking spot
Dress Code:
While it is a formal occasion, don’t feel the need to buy anything new. Wear dresses, jumpsuits, button-down shirts, slacks, etc. Sports coat and tie are optional. Please note coat check will not be available.
Event Contact

Congrats to our 2023 Los Angeles Champion of the Year
Kristen Van Handel
Raised over $66,000 for Best Buddies in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Orange County!
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.