OUR MISSION
Summer | 09
Our mission is to establish a global volunteer movement that
creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated
employment and leadership development for people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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OUR EVENTS
Audi Best Buddies
Challenge:
Hyannis Port Raises
Close to $4 Million for
Best Buddies Programs
By The Friendship Rides Team
The Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hyannis Port, a 100-mile cycling
fundraiser chaired by the New
England Patriots Tom Brady, took
riders from Boston to Hyannis Port
Saturday, May 30. 1,500 people
participated in the Challenge,
which featured alternate 50 and
20-mile routes; celebrity Friendship
Races; a 5K run; a 3K walk; and
a High Gear kickoff gala with a
“Best Buddies Food Challenge”
judged by a panel that included
Duff Goldman, star of the Food
Network’s “Ace of Cakes.”
Continued on PAGE 2
OUR PROGRAMS
SEE PAGE 11
T om B rad y, H O N O R A R Y C H A I R M A N O F T H E 2 0 0 9 A u d i B e s t B u d d i e s C ha l l e n g e :
H ya n n i s P o r t w i th K at i e M eade , B U D D Y A M B A S S A D O R
Inside:
FRIENDSHIP Rides |
PROGRAMS | EVENTS |
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Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hyannis Port
Continued from page 1
The Challenge raised close to $4 million in support of
Best Buddies programs for people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities. It was followed by an exclusive
clambake and private concert by the Bangles for all
participants and special guests.
Celebrities and special
guests in attendance for the
weekend’s events included:
New England Patriots
Quarterback Tom Brady and
his wife, Supermodel Gisele
Bündchen; New England
Patriots Nick Kaczur, Dan
Koppen, Logan Mankins,
Steve Neal and Pierre
Woods; Senator John Kerry; and Audi of America President
Johan de Nysschen.
Also in attendance were Actors David Spade (who donated
$50,000 to Best Buddies at the 100-mile start) and Verne
Troyer; Actress Maureen McCormick; Miss Massachusetts
Alison Cronin, Miss Connecticut Monica Pietrzak, Miss
Teen USA 2008 Stevi Perry, Miss Maine Teen 2008 Jordan
Shiers and Miss Maine Ashley Underwood; Model Lauren
Anderson; and Olympic gold-medalist Carl Lewis.
are still people out there who think people with disabilities
can’t do the same things they can. But I prove them wrong
by being a full-time employee, volunteer and friend. I
believe in myself and all people with disabilities, and know
we can make the world see the abilities of people with
disabilities.”
One of the most outstanding aspects about events like this
one is the platform it provides for our Buddies. The Bangles
signature song was a definite highlight of the weekend;
Buddies came out on the dance floor and onstage to close
out the concert by dancing and singing “Walk Like An
Egyptian” alongside the band.
A parent wrote us, “My family was blown away by
yesterday’s event. It was overwhelming in a positive way.
Best Buddies does an incredible job of both raising money
for these beautiful children and adults as well as making
them feel like shining stars. As a father of a child with
intellectual disabilities, yesterday was both uplifting as well
as empowering. We are looking forward to being part of
this event for many years to come.”
For more information, please contact Michael Collins,
MichaelCollins@BestBuddies.org.
The stars of the weekend – our Buddies – gave great
speeches, cooked up a storm, and participated in the
Challenge. Some Buddies rode in the Friendship Races
and received awards from Tom Brady; many danced the
night away. The Buddies were everywhere, the mission was
everywhere, and the emotional connection with our mission
was profound and evident.
Summer | 09
One of our most well-known Buddy Ambassadors, Katie
Meade, said, “I am helping to break down the barriers
people with intellectual disabilities face every day. There
S c e n e s f r o m t h e 2 0 0 9 A u d i B e s t B u d d i e s C h a l l e n g e: H y a n n i s P o r t, i n c l u d i n g D u f f G o l d m a n p r e p a r i n g a c a k e w i t h B u d d y B r e t t B a n f o r d f o r
t h e H i g h G e a r G a l a, a n d a p e r f o r m a n c e b y t h e B a n g l e s .
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Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hearst Castle
By The Friendship Rides Team
On the morning of September 12, 2009, hundreds of
cyclists will take to the start line at Quail Lodge Resort &
Golf Club in Carmel for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hearst Castle. They will ride for different reasons: some
for the thrill, some to fulfill months of preparation and
others purely for the cause – to support Best Buddies and
its mission of establishing a global volunteer movement
that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships,
integrated employment and leadership development for
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle is a 100mile cycling event that takes participants along a scenic
route on the Pacific Coast Highway from Carmel to San
Simeon. First Lady of California Maria Shriver will serve
as Honorary Chairperson and will be riding in the event,
which also includes a 62 (100km), 35 and 15-mile cycling
options as well as a 5K run and a 3K walk. An exclusive
post-ride celebration held at the Hearst Ranch will feature
a barbeque and private concert by Ciara for all participants
and special guests.
S c e n e s f r o m l a s t y e a r ’s A u d i B e s t B u d d i e s C h a l l e n g e: H e a r s t C a s t l e, i n c l u d i n g p a r t i c i p a n t s C a r l L e w i s a n d M a r i a S h r i v e r,
and a per formance by the Black Eyed Peas.
Summer | 09
For more information, please contact Michael Collins,
MichaelCollins@BestBuddies.org.
04
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20th ANNUAL Student Leadership Conference
By michael pearson, deputy director of programs
The Best Buddies International Programs department has
been hard at work preparing for the 20 th Annual Student
Leadership Conference, which takes place July 24-27 at
Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In celebration
of our 20th Anniversary, the theme for the conference will be
“We Are Best Buddies.” This theme celebrates 20 years of
friendships and jobs and looks to a future of full inclusion
for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This year’s Conference will bring together student leaders
from high school and college chapters around the world
to receive leadership training and discuss topics on social
inclusion, advocacy for people with disabilities, and
volunteer management. The Conference’s educational
component will feature a variety of experienced-based
sessions for the College, High School, Buddy Director,
Summer | 09
B u d d y A m b a s s a d o r s a n d B e s t B u d d i e s S t a f f a t l a s t y e a r ’s C o n f e r e n c e.
Buddy Ambassador and Advisor teams which will be
facilitated by veteran Best Buddies staff members and
professionals in the non-profit and disabilities fields. In
addition to these educational sessions, we are excited to
welcome back Kevin Wanzer and his “Got Aloha?” program
based on the book he co-wrote, “Lead Now or Step Aside,”
which explains how to be an effective student leader.
And, for the first time, portions of the Conference will be
streamed live online at www.bestbuddies.org/webstream.
Best Buddies participants will continue to build upon the
legacy of success built by Anthony K. Shriver and impact
more people through the power of one-to-one friendships.
The Leadership Conference will engage leaders from
around the world in our mission and help them build their
own “We are Best Buddies” moment in our history.
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BEST BUDDIES JOBS:
PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT
By Carolyn Ostrom, Jobs Supervisor, and Kathryn Morrissey, Director, best buddies jobs & development
Best Buddies Jobs has been a proud
partner of Seyfarth Shaw for over
nine years now. Seyfarth Shaw is a
phenomenal community partner and
has done a tremendous job of acting
upon its commitment to diversity
– starting with hiring its first Best
Buddies Jobs participant, Virginia
Lovett, in 2003 as a mail clerk.
the information into Legal Key. I like
it all!” In addition to working hard,
Patrick says that he enjoys talking
with his supervisor, Deryck Reid,
about the Red Sox and the Audi
Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis
Port, a 100 mile cycling event from
Boston to Hyannis.
Patrick joins Virginia and Ian, also
Seyfarth Shaw believes that diversity
from Best Buddies, who have
– in terms of people, perspectives
been working in Seyfarth Shaw’s
and experiences – can create more
mailroom for six and four years
innovative solutions and greater
respectively. Best Buddies Jobs
Te a m S e y f a r t h S h a w a t t h e A u d i B e s t B u d d i e s
contributions from everyone. As
participants are an integral part
C h a l l e n g e: H y a n n i s P o r t
the firm’s workforce grows to reflect
of the firm’s team and day-to-day
the greater diversity of the world
business operations. The entire
in which we live, its efforts to value differences and build employee base in the Boston office (approximately 200) has
a culture of inclusion become increasingly essential to its been moved and impacted by their talents and abilities in
success and that of its clients.
the workplace and their contributions to the firm’s success.
Seyfarth Shaw continues to be passionate and supportive
of our organization at the Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hyannis Port. On May 30, Patrick and Virginia rode with
over 120 of their co-workers and families, and Ian was at the
finish line cheering them on with his fellow Seyfarth Shaw
volunteers. If you are interested in hiring an incredible Best Buddies
Job participant, please contact Kathryn Morrissey
(KathrynMorrissey@bestbuddies.org).
Summer | 09
Currently, Seyfarth Shaw employs four Best Buddies Jobs
participants - one in the Century City office and three in
its Boston office. Richard R. was hired in California in
September of last year. He loves his job working in Seyfarth
Shaw’s Kitchen and Office Services. In March, Patrick
Whelen became the firm’s newest employee as a File Clerk
in their Boston office. Patrick types information from the
client files into the firm’s database, Legal Key. He knows
that he has to be accurate because the attorneys will depend
on him when they search for old case notes. When asked
about his job, he said , “I like what I am doing. I like typing
06
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CELEBRITY BUDDY SPOTLIGHT:
The Lowe Down at Joe’s Stone Crab
By Michael Pearson, Deputy Director of Programs
visitors! “Brothers and Sisters” star Rob
Lowe and “Deco Drive” anchor Louis Aguirre
dropped by Joe’s to say hello to Shawanda.
Lowe, a staunch supporter of Best Buddies,
has never been able to visit a Best Buddies
Jobs participant at work, but has long wanted
to. So, when Lowe was in Miami for his
appearance on “Live with Regis and Kelly,”
Mark Wylie, Vice President of Talent Relations
for Best Buddies, and Ray Bell, Best Buddies
Lead Employment Consultant, arranged for
a visit with Shawanda. Aguirre reported on
the visit for a “Deco Drive” story. Shawanda
Rob Lowe, Shawanda Pean, and
charmed her visitors. She trained Lowe on
Shawanda is a Best Buddies Jobs
L o u i s A g u i r r e a t J o e’s S t o n e C r a b .
her job responsibilities, so he could help her
participant and has worked at Joe’s
during his visit—he definitely worked for his
for two seasons. She gets along
very well with her coworkers; her coworkers reciprocate food! Everyone had a blast sharing laughs and learning new
her admiration. Showanda’s supervisor cannot give job skills.
enough praise to her dedicated work ethic and bright
Shawanda is an excellent ambassador for the Jobs program.
personality.
She demonstrates to her coworkers, boss, customers
This past Cinco de Mayo, Shawanda had something extra and even celebrity visitors that people with intellectual
to smile about—she had a couple of surprise celebrity disabilities should be included in the work place.
People come from far and wide to
eat at the world famous Joe’s Stone
Crab. Joe’s has served hungry
customers for nearly 100 years and
has evolved into a staple of the
Miami experience. For Shawanda
Pean, traveling to Joe’s is part of
the regular routine—the highlight
of her day. Shawanda loves Joe’s
not only for its delicious food, but
also because it is her place of
employment.
CELEBRITY BUDDY SPOTLIGHT:
Nancy O’Dell treats Best Buddies to “Stuff You Must”
Summer | 09
Karen C. and Maureen McCormick
a t t h e “ S t u f f Yo u M u s t ” e v e n t .
Celebrities, makeovers
and goodie bags
galore were the theme
behind the “Stuff You
Must” Gifting Suite
sponsored by “Access
Hollywood” and
CVS/pharmacy. This
star-studded event
also had a purpose:
treating those served
by co-hosts Nancy
O’Dell and Billy Bush’s
charities of choice to a
day of luxury.
Nancy O’Dell selected Best Buddies as her charity of choice,
resulting in a $50,000 donation made by CVS/pharmacy
and a fun-filled day for two very lucky participants. The
Best Buddies Jobs team selected Karen C., as she truly
embodies the mission of the organization.
Karen spent the day receiving a makeover complete with a
haircut by world-renowned stylist Christophe, a facial and
a massage. Not only did our Jobs Participant receive the
royal treatment, but she was also sent home with a myriad
of other goodies. Karen made her TV debut, and she was
featured on “Access Hollywood” alongside actresses and
Best Buddies supporters Vanessa Hudgens and Maureen
McCormick. Karen had this to say about her experience:
“Thank you so very much for letting me be a part of this
special event and making me feel very special.”
Best Buddies Jobs would like to thank Nancy O’Dell,
“Access Hollywood,” CVS/pharmacy, Vanessa Hudgens
and Maureen McCormick for making this amazing day a
reality. We would also like to express how happy we were to
select Karen as a recipient – no one was more deserving!
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BUDDY BEAT
By Anne Moler, University of Michigan
I remember my junior year in high school. Math was my
least favorite subject, but I tried my best to do well. I had
just changed math teachers and after a week, my new
teacher came up to me and said, “Anne, I can’t do this
anymore. I give up on your learning!” I was really mad that
he gave up on me. It made me feel like other people were
more important than me. I started to
think that I wasn’t even worth a friend.
I would also like to achieve my dream of becoming a singer.
At my chapter’s final event this year, a Best Buddies picnic,
I dedicated a song I wrote to all the University of Michigan
graduates. Some of them were about to cry! Everyone
cheered when I finished singing; I was
happy to bring joy to my friends.
Three years ago, I lost my sight, but
that hasn’t slowed me down. I’ve been
studying Braille and now write all my
songs about Best Buddies in Braille and
in print. I am also learning how to work
on the computer independently again. It
isn’t easy, but I can still do it! I know that
with the support of my true friends, I will
achieve all of my goals.
I have made many great friends through
Best Buddies. Even when Aubrey cannot
attend our events, I still have other friends
who I can count on. I want all of the 2009
Best Buddies graduates to know that you will be missed. I
really hope that you keep on going with Best Buddies and
keep in touch with all your friends. We are like a big family,
we are Best Buddies!
Soereen Palumbo, Anne Moler
and Emma Euman
I like to hang out with Aubrey and our friends, and not just
my parents. I need to spend time away from my parents
because I want to be more independent. I want to eventually
Summer | 09
That was six years ago. My name is Anne
Moler and I have a different outlook on life
since becoming a Buddy at the University
of Michigan Best Buddies chapter. Since
joining Best Buddies in 2004, I have
learned that I am an important person.
Now I have my Buddy Aubrey to talk
to. When I feel discriminated against,
Aubrey and I talk about it. She makes
me feel better. Just knowing she’s there
for me—willing to talk to me—helps me
get through tough times. I know I can
tell her about things going on that I don’t
want everyone to know about, especially
my parents!
move out of my family’s home and live with a friend.
08
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BEST BUDDIES MONTH
By Katie Brydon, Deputy Director of Programs
Hundreds of people looked up in anticipation as a police
helicopter swooped overhead. Inside the helicopter, the
officer steadied his microphone to make an announcement
to the crowd. Leaning out of the helicopter door, he
shouted, “Congratulations, Best Buddies California!”
The crowd erupted with cheers, excitedly waving as the
helicopter circled away.
The crowd, gathered at Mission Bay Park de Anza Cove in
San Diego, was participating in a Best Buddies tradition
celebrated every March across the nation. March is Best
Buddies Month, and every year, participants, supporters
and staff gather to celebrate the Best Buddies mission with
food, dancing and most importantly, friendship. Although
Best Buddies Month is celebrated differently in each state,
Best Buddies participants from around the country – and
around the world – take part in activities that celebrate
the commitment they have made to enhance the lives of
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Each of the four Best Buddies offices in California
commemorated Best Buddies Month with a Festival of
Friendship. In San Diego, over 1,200 people attended,
including participants from all 25 high school chapters.
Three middle school chapters and two college chapters also
attended and helped set up carnival booths with the high
school chapters. The booths - designed, organized and run
entirely by the chapters themselves - offered Buddy Pairs
a chance to have their faces painted and participate in fun
activities to celebrate the friendships and mission of Best
Buddies. The highlight of the San Diego Festival was when
members of a high school chapter performed a Mexican
folk dance, Ballet Folklórico, in authentic costume made up
of brightly colored ruffled skirts trimmed with ribbons. The
Festival also included a Buddy talent show, jugglers and a
Michael Jackson impersonator (Bryce Johnson, a Buddy
in the San Diego Citizens program). Several Buddies also
shared their experience of being involved in the numerous
programs the San Diego office manages. Food was dished
out by athletes from OMBAC, the beach athletic club in
Southern California.
Two thousand miles away in Jacksonville, Florida, Best
Buddies participants celebrated Best Buddies Month with
a Dance-A-Thon. The three-hour event, held in Memorial
Park on March 15, began with a carnival similar to the one
in California, but with an international theme, “A World of
Friendship.” Each booth represented a different country and
housed participants in costumes and food of the respective
country. The Citizen Buddy Pairs that attended the festival
had a mission of their own for the day. Upon arrival, they
were led to a passport station where they received Best
Buddies passports. After visiting each school’s booth, they
then received a sticker to add to their Citizens Passport.
Later in the day, the Buddy Pairs returned to their starting
point, which had been transformed into a customs station.
After their passports were reviewed, they received prizes
for participating in the festival’s international tour. The last
activity of the day was a Dance-A-Thon to raise money for
Best Buddies. Each contestant registered for $10, then
raised additional funds for an hour of non-stop moving
and shaking. Dances included crowd favorites such as
the “Cha Cha Slide,” “YMCA,” “Electric Slide” and more!
Prizes were given to the Buddy with the best dance moves,
the chapter that raised the most money, the best booth and
the chapter with the most attendance. The festival had the
support of volunteers from Starbucks and the mascot from
the Jacksonville Suns, who showed up to take part in the
day’s exciting festivities.
Meanwhile, Best Buddies Illinois participants gathered at
Uplift Community High School for their annual Block Party.
Summer | 09
Continued on PAGE 9
S c e n e s f r o m B e s t B u d d i e s M o n t h c e l e b r a t i o n s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y.
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BEST BUDDIES MONTH
By Katie Brydon, Deputy Director of Programs
Continued from PAGE 8
Illinois’ most outstanding chapters hosted with activities
such as “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” face painting and a
dunk tank. Buddy Pairs even wrestled each other in giant
sumo suits! Festival goers enjoyed a barbeque complete
with cake, cookies and fruit, which was donated by a local
grocery store. Best Buy provided games like “Guitar Hero”
for Buddy Pairs to test their rock skills against each other
in their Mo-bile Game Room. Each Block Party attendee
received a raffle ticket for a chance to win exciting prizes
such as tickets to Chicago Bulls, White Sox and Cubs
games; autographed memorabilia from Chicago athletes; ice
skating rink passes; and free pizza. Outstanding Advisors,
Buddy Pairs and chapters were recognized in an award
ceremony. Ms. Illinois and Ms. Teen Illinois also participated
in the day’s festivities.
Across the nation, Best Buddies Month is celebrated in
parks, bowling alleys, schools and other venues where
participants share the organization’s mission with family,
friends and newcomers. From Arizona’s Battle of the Bands
to Maryland’s Walkathon to Connecticut’s Bowl for the Buds,
March is just one month out of the year where Best Buddies
stops to reflect on the valuable friendships and progressive
job placements that shape thousands of lives and change
the world every single day.
S c e n e s f r o m B e s t B u d d i e s M o n t h c e l e b r a t i o n s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y.
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE STATES:
Best Buddies Arizona on Launching Middle School Program
By Kathleen Rubi, State Director, Best Buddies Arizona
eight campuses in Maricopa County. “We are so excited!
Parents have wanted this program at the middle schools for
such a long time. The High School Program is so popular
in Arizona and now we have the opportunity to reach the
younger kids who will now have buddies before they enter
high school.” – Fran Parker, Advisory Board President.
Summer | 09
On March 24, the Trustees of the Nina Mason Pulliam
Charitable Trust presented Best Buddies Arizona with a
$40,000 grant award. Coupled with the $25,000 grant
award from Arizona’s Thunderbird Charities, this award
will allow Best Buddies Arizona to implement its firstever Middle School Program, which will serve students on
010
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BEST BUDDIES AROUND THE WORLD:
Independence
By Valerie Vitale, International Programs Director
Buddy Ambassadors Katie Meade (lef t)
and Craig Blackburn (right).
~ Hassan Ali Bin Ali, Chairman of the Shafallah Center
In April, two Buddy Ambassadors, Katie Meade and Craig
Blackburn, were honored by being selected as keynote
speakers for the International Forum on Children with
Special Needs, in Doha, Qatar, which was presented by
the Shafallah Center, under the patronage of Her Highness
Sheikha Mozha Bint Nasser Bin Abdullah Al-Missned.
Katie and Craig shared their life stories and stories about
the Forum’s theme, “achieved independence,” with leaders,
dignitaries, educators and policy makers from around the
world dedicated to the field of disability, including Ms. Graça
Machel, Former First Lady of South Africa; Sir Phillip Craven,
President of the International Paralympic Committee, and
Lady Craven; Madame Dorrit Moussaieff, First Lady of
Iceland; Mrs. Teuta Topi, First Lady of Albania; Mrs. Vivian Fernández de Torrijos, First Lady of Panama; and Mrs.
Maria Kaczynska, First Lady of Poland. The Forum also
featured discussions on issues such as promoting inclusion,
family perspectives in achieving independence, improving
employment, self-advocacy, issues of rights, language and
microenterprise for achieving independence. Katie Meade opened the Forum with a message of
perseverance and accomplishment: “I am a survivor,” she
said. “I am a fighter.” She spoke of the challenges she
faced as a child with an intellectual disability. She shared
that she was often teased by other children, and how
much this hurt her feelings. She explained that her family
encouraged her to always speak to them about the “name
calling,” and they taught her to never let others limit who
she could be. They encouraged her to accept her disability
and pursue her dreams. Today, Katie commits herself to breaking down barriers for
people with intellectual disabilities. In the same way she
was encouraged by her family, she now empowers others
to have dreams, be more, and achieve independence.
Katie proudly shared examples of how she has achieved
independence with the audience: she holds a full time job;
ef t) and Craig Blackburn (right).
Summer | 09
“Achieving independence for people with a disability
is a revolutionary process. It means changing laws
in some countries, but more importantly, changing
hearts and minds. We must remove all the barriers
to independence in order to find jobs and create
new opportunities to live and learn.” she has traveled around the world; and she is a daughter,
sister, advocate, public speaker and friend to many. She
closed her speech with an important message, “YOU can
be the person who helps people with intellectual disabilities
by being their friend and encouraging them to reach for their
dreams.”
Craig Blackburn participated as a speaker on a panel
discussion. He shared several life stories and spoke about
how important his friends and family were to him. He
credited the support of his friends and family and shared
how they encouraged him to be, first and foremost, happy
and secondly, the BEST he could be. Throughout his life,
when he set goals for himself, his family and friends also
committed to supporting him in achieving them. He stated
that one of the happiest moments of his life was the day he
walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma.
His family, classmates and friends celebrated with him and
for him.
As Katie had done, Craig moved the audience tremendously
when he shared how he has achieved independence in his
life:…he is a good friend, a volunteer, the Buddy Director of
Tulane’s University’s Best Buddies chapter, an uncle, and
a godfather; he works full time; he traveled to Italy and had
an audience with the late Pope John Paul II; he carried the
Olympic Torch through Louisiana; he earned a black belt in
karate; and he is in love and engaged to his fiancé, Heather.
He closed the panel discussion with the message, “My
belief in life is that we all can; even if we do not reach the
goals we set, we are WINNERS because we tried. Success
for all of us comes in trying.”
Congratulations to Katie and Craig for representing Best
Buddies at this prestigious Forum and motivating global
leaders to continue to strive to create a society in which
EVERYONE can achieve independence.
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Best Buddies
Continues TO ExpanD
Best Buddies looks forward with anticipation to welcoming both Iceland and Russia as our
newest accredited country programs in Europe. We anticipate programs in both Reykjavik
and Moscow, respectively, to begin later this autumn.
44 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS | Six continents
EUROPE
NORTH AMERICA
CANADA
MEXICO
USA
AUSTRIA
NETHERLANDS
DENMARK
PORTUGAL
ENGLAND
RUSSIA
FINLAND
SCOTLAND
GERMANY
HONG KONG
SPAIN
MALAYSIA
GREECE
SWEDEN
IRELAND
PHILIPPINES
SWITZERLAND
SINGAPORE
ASIA
ICELAND
CENTRAL AMERICA
THAILAND
CARIBBEAN
GUATEMALA
CUBA
HONDURAS
CURAÇAO
PANAMA
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
CHILE
COLOMBIA
ECUADOR
MIDDLE EAST
GHANA
EGYPT
KENYA
ISRAEL
TANZANIA
JORDAN
OCEANIA
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
LEBANON
QATAR
KINGDOM OF
SAUDI ARABIA
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
Summer | 09
AFRICA
012
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The e-Buddies E-mail Trainer
By Bill Maurer and Rachel Kolliopoulos, Deputy DirectorS, e-Buddies
In January, e-Buddies officially launched its newest Web
service, the e-Buddies E-mail Trainer. The Trainer is a selfpaced, online tutorial designed to teach inexperienced
e-mail users how to use their e-mail account and achieve
greater independence on the computer. In order to do so,
the Trainer uses audio and video cues, screen shots, and
animations to prompt and guide users through each step
in the e-mail process.
The Trainer was developed to help provide additional e-mail
support to people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. While many people with intellectual disabilities
participate in e-Buddies independently, it is not uncommon
for some participants to require some minimal support to
enable them to use e-mail. In many cases, e-Buddies
participants flourish in the program as long as they have
someone to assist them when using e-mail. Quite often,
this support is limited to simply providing prompts to
remind the user what to do next.
After using the Trainer, 50% of survey participants reported
increased independence with e-mail and 70% indicated
an increase in motivation to use e-mail. A majority of
respondents (70%) reported that the Trainer is a helpful
teaching tool.
Joyce Rivers, self-advocate coordinator at the Connecticut
Department of Developmental Services, indicated that the
Trainer was “easy to follow” and that the participants she
was assisting were “happy to be independent.” Kelly
East, program coordinator from Project BRIDGE in Miami,
reported that “Students are engaged and are able to follow
along easily.”
The e-Buddies E-mail Trainer can be accessed online at
www.ebuddies.org. Access is free to the public.
What often happens, unfortunately, is that finding the time
to provide this minimal support on a regular basis can
be difficult. As a result, capable people with a genuine
interest in participating in e-Buddies are prevented from
participating. The Trainer was developed to act as a virtual
teacher, providing necessary prompting to users who
might require it. This will enable more children and adults
with intellectual disabilities to use e-mail and participate in
e-Buddies.
Summer | 09
During the fall of 2008, e-Buddies tested the Trainer in a
nationwide pilot program. Overall, 98 teachers and agency
staff from across the country used the Trainer. Feedback
from the pilot program suggested that satisfaction with
the Trainer is high, with 80% of participants reporting a
reaction or attitude of enjoyment and/or self-confidence.
e-Buddies par ticipants.
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BEST BUDDIES THE ROSE SOCIETY
®
By Ann May, Senior Director, State Development
Rose Society members are exceptional individuals and families who make an
outright gift of $1,000 or more annually to support Best Buddies programs of
friendship and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Rose Society is named in honor of Rosemary Kennedy, aunt of Best Buddies
founder and Chairman Anthony Kennedy Shriver. Rosemary Kennedy had an
intellectual disability. The strength and courage Rosemary displayed throughout
her life inspired Anthony to start Best Buddies International in 1989. The rose
symbolizes her legacy and our donors’ commitment to the Best Buddies mission
of friendship.
For more information, contact Ann May, AnnMay@bestbuddies.org
MEMBERS
Red Rose $1,000- $9,999
David & Michelle Shepherd (DE)
Joseph & Judy Setting (DE)
Michael & Maureen Rhodes (DE)
Scott A. Young (DE)
Robert DeSantis (DE)
Bradford Winton (DE)
Philip & Marsha Kosek (DE)
Andy & Leslie Kosek (DE)
Jim & Katie O’Donoghue (DE)
Scott Haag (WI)
Carrie Bedore (WI)
Drs. Tim & Leslie Brown (LA)
Ray Lamerre (LA)
Kahn (LA)
White Rose $25,000- $49,999
Ken & Stephanie Karl (DE)
Mike & Judy Van Handel (WI)
Purple Rose $100,000 or more
Adrienne Arsht (DE)
Summer | 09
Rosemary Kennedy
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National Events: Recap and Previews
By Scott Tracy, Vice President, Special Events and Jenna Trueba, Assistant to the Vice President, Special Events
Summer | 09
The 2009 Palm Beach Gala.
The Palm Beach Gala was held on March 13, 2009 at the
world renowned Breakers Hotel, an Italian Renaissancestyle hotel inspired by the magnificent Italian villas of the
1400s. The evening was hosted by Mark and Mary Freitas
of Palm Beach. Guests enjoyed cocktails in the courtyard
before walking through a candlelit entrance into the Venetian
Ball Room, which overlooks the ocean. Buddy Pair Robert
Grimm and Matthew Dyer gave a fantastic and moving
speech about their friendship and life experiences. A
gourmet dinner was served while guests participated in a
live auction hosted by committee chair and auctioneer for
the evening, Tommy Quick. After a gourmet dinner and a
classic banana spilt dessert, guests danced the night away
to live entertainment by The Spinners. The second annual Hamptons Gala will once again take
place in the prestigious town of Water Mill at the beautiful
home of Anne Hearst and Jay Mclnerney. Last year, the
inaugural Hamptons Gala was a saucy Brazilian Carnaval.
This year, we’re bringing the West to the Hamptons with a
Western-chic theme and performance by the popular New
York City based, Eturnity Band.
The second annual Best Buddies Dallas Gala will take
place on October 8, 2009. This incredible event will
feature a gourmet dinner and a private concert by Charice
Pempengco. It will be hosted and underwritten by Jan &
Jeff Rich of Dallas to help support Best Buddies endeavors
in Texas.
To m m y Q u i c k , A n t h o n y K . S h r i v e r a n d M a r k Fr e i t a s a t t h e 2 0 0 9
Palm Beach Gala.
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National Events for 2009
Second Best Buddies Hamptons Gala
August 21, 2009
Water Mill, New York
UBS and International Board Member Tatiana S. Platt are
teaming up with long time supporter Anne Hearst to put on
a posh Western-chic event in the Hamptons with new and
continuing friends of Best Buddies.
Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle
September 12, 2009
Carmel & San Simeon, California
The ABBC: HC is a 100, 62, 35 and 15-mile cycling
adventure along the Pacific Coast Highway, from Carmel
to the renowned Hearst Castle in San Simeon, with an
optional 5K run and 3K walk. The ride is followed by
celebrity tandem races, a private concert by Ciara, and a
barbeque at Hearst Ranch.
An Evening in the Glittering Gulf
September 30, 2009
Houston, Texas
International Board Member Becca Cason Thrash is
opening up her home and teaming up with Anthony K.
Shriver to bring the exotic enchantment of the Middle East
to the Bayou City with a black-tie gala dinner, honoring
Chase and Diana Untermeyer. Chase and Diana have
returned from a three year stint in Doha, where he served
as Ambassador to Qatar, and where Best Buddies recently
opened chapters.
Twentieth Anniversary Capital Celebration
October 2009
Wasthington, D.C.
Best Buddies will celebrate 20 years of friendships &
jobs with an exclusive black-tie event in our nation’s
capital, where Best Buddies was first founded.
The event will include dinner, entertainment and
an exclusive online auction.
Thirteenth Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala
November 20, 2009
Miami, Florida
More than 700 prominent guests attend this extraordinary
event, which includes a gourmet dinner, outstanding
entertainment and dancing. Celebrities, government
officials, famous artists, major philanthropists and power
brokers come together for an evening of fundraising and
awareness for Best Buddies.
S c e n e s f r o m t h e 2 0 0 8 H a m p t o n s G a l a ( t o p a n d b o t t o m l e f t ): J a y M c I n e r n e y, A n n e H e a r s t , A n t h o n y K . S h r i v e r a n d Ta t i a n a & C a m p i o n P l a t t .
S c e n e s f r o m t h e 2 0 0 8 M i a m i G a l a ( b o t t o m m i d d l e ): M i s s U n i v e r s e 2 0 0 8 D a y a n a M e n d o z a a n d M i s s U S A 2 0 0 8 C r y s t l e S t e w a r t ;
( b o t t o m r i g h t ): E r i c M a t t h e s a n d B r e t t B a n f o r d .
Summer | 09
Second Annual Best Buddies Dallas Gala
October 8, 2009
Dallas, Texas
The Dallas Gala is an incredible event, featuring a gourmet
dinner and a private concert by Charice Pempengco,
hosted and underwritten by Jan & Jeff Rich of Dallas to
help support Best Buddies endeavors in Texas.
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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT | Audi Update
Nicola Edman, Sponsor Benefits Manager
( l e f t ) S a r g e n t S h r i v e r a n d A n t h o n y K . S h r i v e r w e r e a m o n g t h e a t t e n d e e s a t l a s t y e a r ’s L i f e i s S w e e t f u n d r a i s e r.
( r i g h t ) A u d i q u a t t r o C u p G o l f To u r n a m e n t
Summer | 09
Best Buddies Virginia
Audi of America to host the fifth annual Life Is Sweet at the
Audi Forum Washington, DC.
Last November, Best Buddies Virginia (BBVA) and Audi of
Tyson’s Corner successfully introduced the Best Buddies
- Audi partnership in their community when the dealership
hosted BBVA’s signature event, Life Is Sweet. With this
generous support, the event achieved monumental success,
exceeding attendance and revenue goals. Media exposure
was high, with three of the four local television stations
promoting the event, and extensive print, radio and on-line
coverage and promotion.
Based on the great success and public response to the
partnership, Mark Balmer, BBVA’s Audi Assistant General
Manager, introduced the idea of hosting the event at Audi
of America’s new corporate headquarters in Herndon,
Virginia. With the full support of Audi of America and
Best Buddies International, the fifth annual Life Is Sweet
will take place in the state-of-the-art facility on Tuesday,
November 17. Led by Event Chair and former White House
Pastry Chef, Roland Mesnier, more than 25 of DC’s top
chefs and their Buddies will transform the Audi Forum into
a food and wine wonderland. “These are challenging times
for charities,” said BBVA Vice-Chair, Geoff Harkness, Vice
President, Public Services, BMGI. “Programs are being cut
in schools and demand for Best Buddies is at its highest
level yet. Audi continues to raise the bar and serve as an
ideal example of social responsibility to all.” Delectable Desserts, Fabulous Friendships and Extraordinary
Corporate Citizenship . . . Life truly is Sweet!
Best Buddies Iowa
Audi dealer sponsors Friendship Frolic Walk
Lithia Motors (Audi of Des Moines) sponsored Best Buddies
Iowa’s third annual Friendship Frolic Walk on Saturday, April
25 at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, Iowa.
College and High School participants with and without
intellectual disabilities and supporters from around the
state of Iowa gathered to celebrate the year of life-changing
friendships and recognize outstanding achievements.
Participants enjoyed a live band, food, games, crafts, prizes
and the opportunity to meet Miss Iowa USA and Miss Iowa
Teen USA.
Best Buddies Florida
Florida registers three Audi quattro Cup Golf Tournaments
The Audi quattro Cup Golf Tournament is the world’s largest
amateur golf tournament series with more than 40 Audi
dealerships participating across the United States. The
winner of each quattro Cup moves on to compete in the
United States Final in Half Moon Bay, California, with that
winner moving on to the Audi quattro Cup World Final
in Sydney, Australia. Best Buddies Broward, Orlando
and Jacksonville have partnered with the world’s largest
amateur golf tournament and the following Florida dealers:
Broward - Champion Audi
Orlando - Classic Audi
Jacksonville - Audi of Jacksonville
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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:
CVS/pharmacy, Pepsi, FIJI and Michael
Stars contribute to Best Buddies
By Sarah Wright, Senior Director, Development and Marketing and Patricia Jimenez-Marcos, Development Manager
The last quarter has been an eventful one for sponsor
news. Best Buddies launched several exciting new
cause-marketing initiatives with returning sponsors CVS/
pharmacy, Pepsi and FIJI Water, as well as with new
sponsor Michael Stars.
Programs surrounding the Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hyannis Port include a co-promotion between CVS/
pharmacy and Pepsi in CVS/pharmacy stores throughout
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and
Rhode Island. For every case of select Pepsi products
sold in CVS/pharmacy retailers from April 26, 2009 to
May 30, 2009, CVS/pharmacy and Pepsi jointly donated
$1 to Best Buddies. In order to drive sales and increase
Best Buddies revenues, CVS/pharmacy instituted a store
manager and employee incentive program. Store managers
with the highest sales of select Pepsi products during the
promotion period were entered to win items such as a
football autographed by Tom Brady, a “meet and greet” with
Tom Brady or the Bangles and a complimentary VIP entry to
the ride and/or the clambake and concert following the Audi
Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port.
FIJI Water, the official Best Buddies water company sponsor,
also launched a cause-marketing campaign to benefit Best
Buddies and promote the Challenge. FIJI Water donated $1
for every case sold during the month of May in the following
New England stores: Stop n Shop, Market Basket, Roche
Brothers and Tedeschis.
On the west coast, Michael Stars hosted some fabulous
new fundraising events at its stores. The Michael Stars-Best
Buddies Round Up for Friendship campaign gave Michael
Stars customers the option to round up their purchases to
the nearest dollar during the month of April. Overages from
Michael Stars stores in California and Nevada went towards
supporting Best Buddies friendships and jobs programs. In
addition, Michael Stars matched the amount raised from its
customers. The campaign kicked off with a launch party at
the Santa Monica location on April 4 with over 100 guests.
BEST BUDDIES
& HOGAN
By ALEXander HERNANDEz-DESSAUER,
VP, international programs,
bbi board member
Expanding upon the many development endeavors that Best
Buddies International initiates in support of our programs,
both domestically and overseas, the luxury Italian shoe
brand “Hogan” recently partnered with us during late April
and May at four of their flagship store locations throughout
Europe. Hogan, a division of the Tod’s Group, generously
donated a portion of the sales proceeds generated during
a three-day cause-related advertising and marketing
campaign, which their stores in Paris, London, Milan and
Dusseldorf executed during the late Spring. Best Buddies
Founder Anthony K. Shriver attended both the Paris and
London Hogan store premieres, in support of this charitable
campaign that included customized Best Buddies insignia
throughout each of the four participating stores, specialty
Best Buddies shopping bags, and introductory literature
designed to collectively inform their customers of our
mission and this collaborative retail promotion. Various
personalities from the worlds of entertainment and fashion
attended the Best Buddies cause-related premiere night
hosted at each store, including among others Lady Gaga
who joined the festivities in Paris. Best Buddies appreciates
the significant contribution that these four Hogan stores
produced in support of the organization, and looks forward
in the near future to expanding this initially successful
cause-related campaign via other retail and merchandising
opportunities with Hogan.
Summer | 09
Anthony K. Shriver and L ady Gaga at the Hogan event in Paris (lef t)
and Best Buddies signage inside the Paris store (right).
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corporate Sponsors
Best Buddies would like to thank the following sponsors:
$250,000 and above
Pepsi
Qatar Airways
Qatar National Bank
Qatar Petroleum
Qatar Telecom
UBS
$100,000 to $249,999
AshBritt Environmental
Bank of New York Mellon
CBS Radio Group
Chevron
Clear Channel Outdoor
CVS/pharmacy
E. & J. Gallo Winery
ExxonMobil
Frank Crystal & Co.
The GEO Group
Hearst Corporation
Microsoft Qatar
Qatar Museum Authority
San Francisco Chronicle
Seaport – World Trade Center
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Southern Wine & Spirits
Wal-Mart
WB56
Summer | 09
$50,000 to $99,999
Accenture
Aventura Worldwide
Boston Globe
Beshraka Egyptian Stud
BP
California State Parks (Hearst Castle)
CSC
CW56
FIJI Water
Grey Goose
Greenberg Traurig
Hoffman International Properties
MadisonSouth
Mix 98.5
Occidental Petroleum
PG&E Corporation
Preferred Medical Plan
Pulte Homes
Ridgewells
Sheer Style Inc. Apparel Solutions
Shell
Superstition Springs Lexus
TAM Brazilian Airlines
WBCN/104.1FM
$25,000 to $49,999
ACS
AIG Private Client Group
Amgen - Tour of California
AOL
AT&T
Bath and Body Works
Bicycling Magazine
BostonMovieTimes.com
Boston Red Sox
Brown Lloyd James
C.O. Bigelow
Capitol File Magazine
Carnival Cruise Lines
Club Achilles
Columbia Sportswear
Common Wealth Magazine
ConocoPhillips
Countrywide
Crispin Porter & Bogusky
David Morris
Delaware North Companies, Inc.
Donald J. Pliner
DPS Sporting Club Development
eCORP
Ecclestones
Fairmont Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Genesis International
Harry Winston
Kenneth Cole
Lufthansa German Airlines
Mandarin Oriental
Marshall & Ilsley Corporation
Mass Business Magazine
Merrill Lynch
Ocean Drive Magazine
Odebrecht Construction
Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises
POM Wonderful
Publix Supermarkets
Rally Manufacturing
Revman Industries
Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital
Silicon Valley Bank
Silver Leaf Capital Partners
Springbac
Stevens & Lee
Successful Images
T-Mobile
Tiffany & Co.
Twentieth Century Fox
Volkswagen
Universal Studios
Wachovia
Washington Life
Yucaipa Companies
Zenith Insurance Company
$10,000 to $24,999
Activision
AEG Cycling, LLC
American Express
AmericanGreetings.com
Automotive Management Services, Inc.
Beck Disaster Recovery, Inc.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
BNI Networking Group of DC Ranch
Boeing
Calder Race Course
Carey Limousine Company
Cartier
Chateau Julien Wine Estate
Cirque du Soleil
Coffin & Trout Fine Jewelers
DDK & Company, LLP
Dean & Deluca
El Paso Energy
Ernst & Young, LLP
Estee Lauder
Everest Capital
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company
Fidelity Corporate Services
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company
Future Brands, LLC
Gasiunasen Gallery
Great Florida Bank
HBO
H.C. Land Company, LLC
Hilton Boston Logan Airport
HSBC
Imagine Films
Imperial Capital, LLC
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Jefferson Wells International
John F. Kennedy Library & Museum
J.P. Morgan
Lepage Bakeries, Inc.
London Fischer, LLP
Louis Vuitton
Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Margo Media Relations
Marketing Architects
Mentor Network
Metro Commercial Properties
Metro Newspapers
Merchandise Mart
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
Morgan Stanley
Morino Institute
Monster.com
New York Stock Exchange
Piro & Lilly, LLP
Republic Waste
Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner
Rondoor Music
Simway Public Relations
Superstition Springs Lexus
U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth
Management
Venable, LLP
Volvo Cars of North America
Weeks Gas
William Morris Agency
Wolf DiNapoli, LLC
$5,000 to $9,999
Adidas
Allied Waste
America West Airlines
Back Bay Bicycles
Baystate Medical Center, Inc.
Bike Zone
CDC Builders
Clear Channel Communications
Clif Bar
Comerica
Corporate Contractors
Coyotes Charities
Creative Artists Agency
D.A.D.S. (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome)
Danny’s Family Businesses
Dewey Square Group
Discovery Channel
Fidelity Home Medical
Gerson, Preston & Company, P.A.
Gina Gallery of International Naïve Art
GoDaddy.com
Grey Goose Vodka
Interior Music Corporation
Interlink Films
International Creative Management
Jacobs Trading Co.
LA-Inc.
Maestro’s Restaurants, LLC
Marsh Private Client Services
Medical Care Transportation
Northern Trust
Northrop Grumman
Outback Steakhouse
PBS&J
Pitman Company
Prime 3
Public Partnerships, LLC
Robinson, Lerer & Montgomery
SeaBound Warehouse Terminals
Scott Toyota/Scion of Scottsdale
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher Flom LLP
Sports Angels, Inc.
Revolution Studios
Tew Cardenas
TotalBank
Universal Pictures
Walt Disney Company
Warner Bros.
Watt Commercial Properties
WTVJ Channel 6
Zuckerman Spaeder, LLP
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Individual Donors
$250,000 and above
Adrienne Arsht
Monika & Sima Birach
Carlos Slim Helú
Marie Mundy
Sargent & Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Charles A. Weingarten
Thomas Quick
$100,000 to $249,999
Anonymous
Romero Britto
Richard Booth
Mark E. Freitas
Lynn & Ted Leonsis
May Liang & James Lintott
Wendy & John McGuire
Randy Perkins
George Zoley
$50,000 to $99,999
Dr. Miriam & Sheldon Adelson
Colleen and Bradley P. Bell
Astrid & Christopher “Kip” Forbes
Tatiana & Campion Platt
Dan Geraci
Gigi & Brian Grazer
Steve Hearst
Alexander Hernandez-Dessauer
Philip Levine
Robert Kotick
Jill Menzel
Tammy & Joe Meyerson
Patricia A. Quick
Brett Ratner
Christine & Oliver Scholz
Paul Slaninka
$25,000 to $49,999
Dr. Martin Bussmann
Linda Coll
Myrtle & Cyrus Katzen
Florence D’Urso
Commissioner Sally Heyman
Marilyn Hoffman
Carol & Marc Iacovelli
Randall Jamail
Sabrina Kay
Penney & Gerry Klingman
Bobby Kotick
Irene & Christopher Korge
Carl Lewis
Carol & Robert Machiz
Donald Mackey
Mike Nunez
Kathy L. Shapiro
Lydia & Rudy Touzet
Lynda & Stewart Resnick
Jan Miller & Jeffery A. Rich
David Richardson
Eric D. Sheppard
Becca & John Thrash
Judy & Michael Van Handel
$10,000 to $24,999
Avi Ben-Abraham
Michael Abrams
Thomas Abraham
Gonzalo Acevedo
Sergio Akselrod
Jeffrey A. Anon
Andrew Barowsky
Narvel Blackstock
Ron Book
John F. Brandmeier
Jim Brett
Gail & Bobby Cheney
Katie & David Colburn
Jim Collins
Elizabeth & Randy Coppersmith
Cindy Crawford
Billy Cypress
Lisa D’Urso
Carole & Donald Dell
Marko Dimitrijevic
Gretchen & Matthew DiNapoli
Bryan J. Downey
Brett Dunne
David Eisner
Marne & William Elam
William R. Eubanks
Gary Fears
Natalie Wexler & James Feldman
Jane & Charlie Fink
Dawn & Barry Fine
Tara & Kenn Francis
Arij Gasiunasen
Meg Garza
Mari Hulman George
Miles Gilburne
Pam & Skip Gozzo
Donna & Gary Greenfield
Christina & Walter Griffith
Debra & Mark Grierson
Wendi & David Grimes
Dr. Ino Halegua
Alexander Heckler
Michael Holthouse
Charles Johnson
Basim Kattan
Rochelle & Gary Katz
Rebecca & Richard Kay
Mark & Carolyn Keller
Ken Kendrick
Michele & Howard Kessler
Frances Kirkland
Richard Kraft
R. Kirk Landon
Christina & George Lindemann
Amy & Nils Lofgren
The Stuart A. Miller Family
Dana & Mario Morino
Ann & Jerry Moss
Margo MacNabb & James Nederlander
Sarah & Jim McCann
Marianne & Ken Novack
Ron Petraitis
Randy Powers
Wayne Powers
Jana Puckett & Guy Papa
Karen & Eric Pulaski
Arnold Rothman
Michael Schlesinger
Lewis Schott
Christian Scorzoni
Randy & Harlan Selesnick
Frances Sevilla-Sacasa
Marlyne Sexton
Lauren J. Silverstein
Mathew St. Patrick
Craig A. Szeman
Todd Tatum
June & David Trone
Gary Uber
Ana & Alvaro Varela
Martin Weiner
Jim Wiatt
Marcellus Wiley
Bill De Winne
Richard Ziegelasch
Roy Zurkowski
$5,000 to $9,999
Kim T. Adamson
Sheldon Anderson
Carol & Rand April
Denise & Philip Bahr
David Baker
John Barnes
John Bebbling
Stacy & Brian Becker
Nicole Avant & David Belasco
Jeff Berkowitz
Meg Goodman & Mike Bonini
Ronald Book
Brad Blank
Alberto Cardenas
Kevin Callahan
Margaret & David Caruso
Jerry Chafetz
Suzie Churchill
Michael Comras
Mark Cordner
James D’Amico
Sara P. Dodd
Marco Dondero
Peter J. Donohoe
Peter Einheuser
Bertha & Luis Espinosa
Kiki & Steven Esrick
Eric Hyman & Ann Eysenring
Millicent Feller
Frederick Fried
Cynthia Friedman
Carole & Keith Funger
Alan Ginsburg
Mabel & Jose Goyanes
Carroll & John Goodman
Gloria Gutierrez
Kim & Tom Harvey
William Heffernan
Maria & Scott Hidnert
David I. Houck
David Jaye
Martin Katz
Frederick Keitel
Linda & Ben Lambert
Patricia & Matthew Long
Lucinda & Javier Loya
Daniel Marshall
McAlister Family
Sean McLaughlin
Christian Metzger
Jamie Middleton
Kari Mitchell
Ricardo Miyares
William Nassikas
Jennifer & John Nordstrom
Marilyn & Kirk Peda
Susan Pullin
Sheila Reynolds
Steven R. Reynolds
Kristen & Thomas Roberts
Randy Rosen
Tabitha Ross
Laura San Giacomo
Rosemary & Matt K. Schatzman
Kathryn Shapiro
Connie & Joseph Shay
Tom Sherak
Lucy & David Simkins
Ron Simkins
Glenn Singer
Cindy & Scott Terrell
Annie & Sami Totah
Scott C. Walker
Nadine I. Watt
Summer | 09
Best Buddies would like to thank the following individual donors:
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foundations SPOTLIGHT
Best Buddies is proud to partner with the following foundations in 2009:
$250,000 and above
The Annenberg Foundation
Telmex
The Venetian Foundation
$100,000 to $249,999
Jim Lintott & May Liang Foundation
The SFO Foundation
The United Phoenix Firefighters Association
United Way of Broward County
The Cyrus Katzen Foundation, Inc.
Yawkey Foundation
Richard & Rebecca Kay Foundation
Ziemann Foundation, Inc.
The Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation,
Inc.
$10,000 to $24,999
Kotick Family Foundation
John W. Alden Trust
Atherton Family Foundation
Autism Speaks, Inc.
$50,000 to $99,999
Carnegie Corporation of New York
The Fant Foundation
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Helen Bader Foundation, Inc.
Bender Foundation, Inc.
Berkshire Bank Foundation
Ladenburg Foundation
Leader Family Foundation
The Annette M. & Theodore N. Lerner Family
Foundation
Jonathan Lewis Foundation
The Lyle Foundation
The J.W. & Alice S. Marriott Foundation
Max Lindemann Memorial Foundation
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
The Thomas W. Bradley Foundation, Inc.
The Leonsis Foundation
Middlesex Savings Bank Foundation
Braman Family Foundation
Operation Kids
Moss Foundation
Eli Broad Foundation
The Calvin and Flavia Oak Foundation, Inc.
The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
The Boston Bruins Foundation
Ortiz Family Foundation
$25,000 to $49,999
The Buxton Charitable Foundation Fund, Bank of
America -Trustee at the Community Foundation of
Western Massachusetts
Eloise, Enoch and Margery Norton Foundation
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
Colburn Family Foundation
Professional Convention Management Association
Colavita Foundation
Red Sox Foundation
Cox Charities
Riverside Foundation Charitable Fund
William S. Abell Foundation, Inc.
Anthony R. Abraham Foundation
Abramson Family Foundation
American Savings Foundation
Arizona Community Foundation
Bubel/Aiken Foundation
Children’s Charities of America
Drew Foundation
The Sabrina Kay Foundation
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Dade Community Foundation
Daniels Fund
Walt Disney World Company - Helping Kids Shine
Grants Program
The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation
Roberts Family Foundation
San Maunuel Band of Mission Indians
Saylor Foundation
The Abe & Kathryn Selsky Foundation
Kathy L. Shapiro Foundation
The Sharon D. Lund Foundation
Foundation for Developmentally Disabled Children
The Stackner Family Foundation
Manpower Foundation, Inc.
The 484 Phi Alpha Foundation
Sterling Foundation
Milbank Foundation for Rehabilitation
The Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation
Thadikonda Research Foundation
Richard K. and Shirley S. Hemingway Foundation
Sami and Annie Totah Foundation
Mark and Karen Hill Charitable Fund (a fund of
Legacy Fund Community Foundation)
United Way of Greater New Haven, Inc.
Special Kids Foundation
Houston Endowment, Inc.
Edwin S. Webster Foundation
The Tatum Foundation
Betty Huse, M.D. Charitable Trust
The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.
Thunderbirds Charities
Johnson Family Foundation
Youth Service America
Peacock Foundation, Inc.
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
The Special Hope Foundation
Summer | 09
Charles R. Jelm Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust
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The Best Buddies
Fine Art Collection
By Caroline Cardenas, Creative Director, Shriver Art
Hunt Slonem has now been a part of the Best Buddies Fine
Arts Program for over a year. Even before Hunt Slonem
became one of ”our” artists, we knew that he was one cool
guy! Talk about accomplishments: Slonem has more than
250 exhibitions at prestigious galleries! His work is also
part of the permanent collections of more than 80 museums
including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R.
Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum in New
York. It is also collected by celebrities like Brooke Shields,
Julianne Moore, Sharon Stone and President Clinton.
Slonem donated his piece titled “Reflections” to the Best
Buddies Fine Art Program in early 2008. The piece was
unveiled at the Best Buddies Palm Beach Gala and has raised
a significant amount for Best Buddies. Since the unveiling
of “Reflections,” Slonem has been busy! Earlier this year,
Bergdorf Goodman, an upscale New York City department
store, unveiled its Fifth Avenue windows featuring his work.
Slonem recently collaborated with Tiffany & Co. to launch
a French Stoneware collection featuring items such as
vases and trays inspired by Amazon parrots, particularly
those who have taken refuge in his studio. Most recently,
DTR Modern Galleries in Boston exhibited Slonem’s work.
The Best Buddies Fine Arts Program is honored to have
such a well-known, well-respected, and well-skilled artist
on its team.
H u n t S l o n e m : “ R e f l e c t i o n s ” S e r i g r a p h o n C a n v a s 24” x 3 0 . 5”
E d i t i o n o f 10 0 , 2 0 0 8
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
By Heather schatz, Communications Director
Lady. It will become part of the National Portrait Gallery’s
permanent collection.
David Lenz: “Rare Halo Display: A Por trait of Eunice
Ke n n e d y S h r i v e r,” N a t i o n a l P o r t r a i t G a l l e r y
On May 9, the National Portrait Gallery unveiled a historic
portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver - Special Olympics
Founder, Best Buddies International Board Member, and
champion for all people with intellectual disabilities. This
is the first portrait the Gallery has ever commissioned of
an individual who has not served as a President or First
The National Portrait Gallery commissioned Lenz, winner
of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2006,
to paint Mrs. Shriver. Lenz, whose son Sam has Down
syndrome and is a Special Olympic athlete, was inspired
by Mrs. Shriver’s dedication to working with people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Summer | 09
“Rare Halo Display: A Portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver”
by David Lenz, depicts Mrs. Shriver with Best Buddies
participant Katie Meade and Special Olympics athletes
Airika Straka, Andy Leonard, Loretta Claiborne, and Marty
Sheets.
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20 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIPS
20 YEARS OF STYLE
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FROM THE MAILBAG
By Josie Martin
Dear Best Buddies Committee,
I feel honored and humbled to be considered for the College Buddy Director position for the IUPUI chapter...I am
currently a second semester freshman at IUPUI applying for the nursing program. I received all A’s my first semester and feel
that giving back to the community and others is just as important as academics for all students. Being involved with Best
Buddies has improved my life, and I would love the opportunity to continue its success…
Thank you for considering my application for the position of Best Buddy Director of the IUPUI chapter. I am
passionate about Best Buddies and ambitious to maintain such an awesome organization that has enriched the lives of so many
college students and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies and what it does for so many means a lot to me,
and I do not and will not take the position and the responsibilities of director lightly. Failure to Buddies and disappointment
is not an option for me, and if given the opportunity I will do everything in my power to continue the success of the IUPUI
chapter and fulfill the commitment that the organization makes to its Buddies.
Thank you,
Josie Martin
Summer | 09
I had never had experience with anyone who has an intellectual disability before I met my Buddy. I met my buddy
six months ago, and my life has changed since. I now have a different perspective of what in life is important and what is
a priority. My Buddy and I talk on a daily basis, either through e-mail or on the phone, and I always look forward to our
communication. I have never had a friend like the friend I have in my Buddy. He is always supportive, enthusiastic, hilarious
and caring. He remembers everything going on in my life and offers his support and encouragement. When I am nervous before
an exam he says, “Study hard, I know you will do great!” He is the first person I call when I get my exam scores back, just
so I can hear him enthusiastically say, “Good Job! I knew you could do it!” We talk about each other’s families, our jobs, our
past, our plans, and most importantly when our next get together is going to be. Every time my Buddy and I do something
and I am about to take him home, he never forgets to say, “Thank you so much for being my Buddy, I have so much fun with
you. Thank you.” It breaks my heart each time because I wish I could be half the friend he is to me, no matter what. My
whole family loves my Buddy, and the truth is so do I. I can’t help but smile every second that I am with him. Every time
I hear of an event or activity he always seems to creep into my mind; I think of one of the songs he sings or jokes he tells
and then a smile creeps onto my face. My relationship with my Buddy is one of the best relationships I have ever had in my
life and I hope it will continue for years and years to come. It is so hard to know what to say about him, his character or
our friendship because there never seems to be a good place to stop. I could never say enough about him, our friendship or the
impact he has had on my life…
024
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2009 PRESS BOX
By HEATHER SCHATZ, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Best Buddies has received a remarkable amount of media
attention this year. To date, some highlights include:
Access Hollywood:
In January, “Access Hollywood” aired a piece about their
“Stuff You Must Lounge,” which helped raise money for
Best Buddies, co-host and Best Buddies International
Board Member Nancy O’Dell’s charity of choice. The piece
showed Best Buddies participants hanging out with Best
Buddies supporters like Vanessa Hudgens and Maureen
McCormick, while getting the star treatment at the Golden
Globes gift lounge.
German GQ:
Anthony K. Shriver was named as one of the magazine’s
“Visionaries” for his work with Best Buddies. The
publication interviewed him and did a photo shoot with
him for the article, which appeared in the March issue.
Seventeen:
Best Buddies was featured in the magazine’s June issue. Seventeen spoke to Vanessa Hudgens and College
Buddy Director Ashly Moore about why they support Best
Buddies and cited ways readers could do so, too. The
magazine received a great deal of positive reader feedback
from the story, and Ashly’s hometown paper wrote an
article on her after seeing the one in Seventeen.
Bicycling:
The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port was
named the “Cool Ride of the Month” in the magazine’s
May issue. And, both the Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hyannis Port and the Audi Best Buddies Challenge:
Hearst Castle were included in an article on charity rides
in the magazine’s June issue.
People.com and US Weekly.com:
Both sites – which get about 8 million visitors a piece – ran
items on the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port
the week of June 1.
Deco Drive and Miami Herald: WSVN’s entertainment program,“Deco Drive,”and the
Miami Herald have supported Best Buddies International
and Best Buddies Florida throughout the year, regularly
covering events in South Florida – and beyond. Louis
Aguirre, the co-anchor of “Deco Drive,” traveled all
the way to Massachusetts for the Audi Best Buddies
Challenge: Hyannis Port!
DEAR ABBY:
Summer | 09
Best Buddies was featured in “Dear Abby”on July 16th. The
columnist published a letter Anthony K. Shriver wrote, as
well as her personal response to the letter. “Dear Abby” is
the most widely syndicated newspaper column in the world.
It appears in about 1,400 newspapers worldwide, and has a
daily readership of more than 110 million people.