I’m reaching out to you to share about a cause that’s close to my heart. Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that engages participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 54 countries around the world, positively impacting individuals with and without disabilities worldwide.

The concept of Best Buddies is simple, but important. Imagine a world where someone with a disability has trouble making friends throughout his or her school career and experiences feelings of isolation and depression or is bullied for being different. For far too many young people, that is a reality. Best Buddies programs help to break down those social barriers by pairing students with and without disabilities in one-to-one friendships and training student leaders to plan activities throughout the year that bring their peers together and create a more inclusive school community. There are over 80 local Best Buddies Chapters in eastern PA alone and hundreds more schools that could benefit from these programs.

I am involved with Best Buddies through Thomas McKean High School and am honored to have been nominated as a 2022 candidate for Best Buddies Delaware Champion of the Year. Along with some other amazing community leaders, I’ll be engaging in an ten week fundraising campaign to rally the most support for this awesome organization. The nominee who raises the most will be named Best Buddies Champion of the Year at our Gala on November 4th.

This organization is doing great things in our community and with the help of companies like yours, Best Buddies can make an even greater impact. Our Champion of the Year Gala will feature a live and silent auction which will help to generate revenue to support local programs. I am seeking donations of auction items valued at $100 or more and would be grateful for any contribution you can make. Your business would be credited for your generous donation, giving your brand exposure to an audience of thousands of local Best Buddies supporters through web and social media recognition. Your support will not only help to create more opportunities for people with disabilities right here in our community, it will also help me in my campaign to become the 2022 Best Buddies Champion of the Year!

I hope you’ll join me in supporting this important cause!