Champion of the Year: San Diego
Unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.
6:00 PM | La Jolla, CA
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!
See More Event Details
Emcee: Ellen Toscano - The Singing Auctioneer
Parking
Parking will be available in the hotel garage for a $5 flat rate.
Public Transportation
The Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines is accessible via MTS Bus Route 985 and NCTD BREEZE Route 101, with a convenient stop at N. Torrey Pines Road & Science Park Road, just outside the hotel driveway. Route 985 connects to the UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley, while Route 101 serves coastal North County communities and connects to the Blue Line at UTC Transit Center. For return trips, Route 101 is recommended, as service runs until approximately 10:00 PM, while Route 985 ends earlier. Both routes accept PRONTO fares and credit/debit card payments
Dress Code
Formal attire is encouraged, and we recommend bringing a light sweater or jacket as temperatures may be chilly in the evening.
Accessibility
The gala can be overstimulating to those with sensory sensitivities. We will have a sensory room and two Kulture City Sensory Bags available to help those with atmosphere sensitivities. It will include headphones, a marble fidget, a noodle finger, and a tangle fidget.
Directions
From the parking garage, walk to the hotel lobby (second floor). Take the stairs, escalator, or elevator down to the first floor, then exit outside and follow the outdoor ramp to the sidewalk pathway. Continue along the pathway to the Fairway Ballroom, where the gala will take place.
Schedule
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Doors Open for general entry: 6:00 PM
Dinner & Program: 7:00 PM
Event Ends: 9:30 PM
Location
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
10950 N Torrey Pines Rd,
La Jolla, CA 92037
Event Contact
Congrats to our 2025 San Diego Champion of the Year
Suzanne McGuire
Raised $13,310.88 for Best Buddies in San Diego
California: San Diego
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.
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
