unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.
November 10,2023
6:00 PM | Washington, D.C.
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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!
Homecoming: Two Parties One Purpose Gala is back! This event raises critical funds for Best Buddies programs throughout Virginia and Washington DC. The event will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.
Homecoming is a unique event that hosts two parties with one purpose. Our students dance the night away with DJ 24/7 while enjoying pizza, fun, and friendship! Adult supporters enjoy their own party with a selection of culinary bites prepared by local area restaurant Chefs and their Best Buddy Sous Chef, delicious drinks and cocktails, and the chance to bid on fabulous silent and live auctions from our community and beyond.
In addition to celebrating an evening of food and friendship, we will also be recognizing our incredible Champion of the Year candidates! 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 campaign’s conclusion, we will celebrate at the Best Buddies Homecoming: Champions Gala to honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!
The evening will culminate in the naming the ultimate Champion of the Year for Virginia & Washington DC.
We hope to raise $235,000 at this event – all funds will be used locally to support Virginia & DC Best Buddies programs and participants. You can support Best Buddies and continue to provide these meaningful opportunities to people with IDD by supporting a Champion’s campaign, purchasing tickets, becoming a corporate sponsor, or making a general donation to the cause.
We hope you’ll join us for a fun, thrilling and friendship-filled event!
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
Friday, November 10, 2023
Program for the Adult Party:
6:00pm-7:45pm: Silent Auction, Open Bar, Chef & Buddy Sous Chef Tasting Stations
8:00pm-10:00pm: Live Auction, Introduction of Champions, Diane Ray Brown Lifetime of Friendship Award sponsored by Tiffany & Co., Mission Moments & Naming of THE Champion of the Year.
Program for Student Homecoming Dance:
6:00pm-10:00pm: Dancing, Music with DJ 24/7, Pizza, Photo Booths and Fun!
The Student Dance is only open to Best Buddies High School and College Chapter members up to age 22.
Location
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
Directions & Information for the Ronald Reagan Building
We recommend that everyone arrive via the 14th Street Entrance – view directions
Event Contact
Congrats to our 2023 VADC Champions of the Year
Champions of the Year Rose, Dave and Reilly Donovan
Raised $64,850 for Best Buddies in VADC
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.
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