Rachel Woodzell Weekly Walker #1 In 2020, Fred Fifer III Middle School earned the top Middle School chapter in Delaware. Team Captain and chapter Vice President, Rachel Woodzell, has taken the lead for Top Individual Fundraiser for her team and has exceeded her personal goal. Rachel isn't stopping there! Way to go, Rachel and Fifer Middle School Riders!
Margaret McGhie Weekly Walker #2 “I've been involved in Best Buddies since 2013 and joined the Citizens programs through my job. I love to do things with my buddy, Danielle, and she and her family are part of my family. Some of my favorite things to do with Danielle are going to Longwood Gardens, playing mini-golf, and going out for pizza. I also love to take pictures! I can't imagine my life without Danielle, but I’m sure glad I met her through Best Buddies, as I now have a friend for life. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of inclusion and friendship!”
Fred Fifer Middle School Weekly Walker #3
Congratulations to Fred Fifer Middle Best Buddies chapter. These students have poured their hearts into their chapter by supporting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, making them the top middle school in 2020. This year, they are going stronger than ever in supporting the mission of inclusion and friendship in raising awareness and funds for the 2021 Friendship Walk. A big shout out to Chapter President Benjamin Donato for his heartwarming video promoting inclusion and to the administration and teachers for supporting their chapter!
Danielle Williams Weekly Walker #4 “Before I joined Best Buddies, I didn’t know a lot about it, but when I first met some of these folks, my heart just melted. Their love for life and their passion to make friends is undeniable. I knew from that moment on, that I had to be a part of this amazing group! I have been matched with my buddy, Margaret McGhie, for almost 8 years now, and she is not only my friend for life, but she is a part of my family. We enjoy going out to lunch, going to Longwood Gardens, playing mini-golf, and celebrating holidays. I have seen Margaret become more confident within herself throughout the years and it makes me so proud to know that I was a part of that, being her mentor. In addition to having this amazing relationship with Margaret, I have to say that being one of the co-leaders has brought so many new friendships into my life and I love sharing my experiences with each one of them – all 74 buddy pairs! This program means the world to me and that is why I am walking – to spread the word about inclusion!”
Lisa Brown Weekly Walker #5 "My name is Lisa Brown, and my buddy Sarah and I have only been buddies since earlier this year, but we already have a nice connection. We text quite often, and we talk on the phone at least once a week. I am planning to go visit her and meet in person next week. We will have lunch and spend time together, possibly shopping, walking, talking, and just getting to know each other better. I live in Wilmington, Delaware, but am originally from Bucks County Pennsylvania. I live with my fiance Eric, and our dog Rambo. We will be married on September 23, 2021, in Aruba. I am so excited to be part of the Best Buddies program!"
Rachael Whitehead Weekly Walker #6 "I am walking in honor of my Aunt Debbie, my mom's sister, who was born with Cerebral Palsy and developmental disabilities. Sadly, she passed away at the young age of 25 and forever left a loving impact on our lives. She was so kind and loving and we miss her every day! As a sophomore in high school, I spread the message every day about inclusion, acceptance, and friendship. I look at people in a much different way, and I strive to make this world a better place by promoting diversity and acceptance for everyone."
Williams Family Daycare Weekly Walker #7 “My team and I decided to support the Best Buddies in Delaware Friendship Walk because it touches closest to heart for us because we have family members and friends with disabilities. This was an opportunity for us to give back to the community that has been good to us, and it teaches our children to be supportive and helpful to people with disabilities with no judgment."
Hayley Miller Weekly Walker #8
I choose to walk for my buddy, Clara. I have known Clara for 13 years. When I found out that McKean High School had the Best Buddies program, I instantly knew that I wanted to join and be buddies with Clara. Even in elementary school, I wanted to be friends with Clara because we had the same backpack and shoes. At that time, I didn’t even notice that Clara had a disability. I was always an advocate for inclusion from the start. While attending McKean High School, I participated in the Best Buddies chapter all 4 years, and I was president for my last 2 years. During my junior and senior year, I attended the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Indiana, which has always had such an amazing impact on my life. That event both years left me in tears because of how moved I was, and I will forever and always walk for inclusion! I have started the Best Buddies chapter at Wilmington University and continue to promote inclusion and friendship in college.
Weekly Walker #9 Our story begins with a recent conversation between a Commonwealth employee and a member of Best Buddies' advisory board. I have to confess that I had no familiarity with the Best Buddies organization beforehand, but I am so thankful to know of the strong commitment they have in promoting inclusion for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Soon after our discussion, I reached out to our Human Resources Director Sharon Abrams to inquire if we would be willing to promote a fundraiser to encourage Commonwealth employees to donate to the Best Buddies organization. Within a week of my request, I received notification that our company signed up to be a Silver Sponsor of the Best Buddies Virtual Friendship Walk! As a result, we quickly organized a team of 10 people and encouraged Commonwealth employees, family and friends to support our virtual walk in person, as well as through donations. The response has been wonderful, I wish to thank our CEO, Caroline Dickerson for her support of this great cause!
Quarantine Qties Weekly Walker #10 This Delaware bank chapter, consisting of 74 buddy pairs, knew it would be challenging to get everyone together physically, so they thought it would be an awesome idea to utilize one of their weekly Zoom calls to promote the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, and to support their internal team, the Quarantine Qties. Being active for over 10 years, this group has grown tremendously and is excited to support the Friendship Walk this year with their buddies. To see their excitement while explaining why they felt it was important to virtually “walk” shows you just how committed they are to this program! Let’s do this!
DE SAB?
Thank You For Your Support!
Best Buddies in Delaware Advisory Board
James Ambagis President and Chief Operations Officer
Celeste Bafundo Teacher & Advisor A I duPont Middle School
Ikea Glover Best Buddies Ambassador
Erika Mann Registered Nurse Bayada Home Health Care
Erin Miller Assistant Principal and Adjunct Professor Kennett Middle School and Wilmington University
Jennifer Rogers Lead Quality Control Technician & Founder of capABILITY Network in Delaware Merck Animal Heath
BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware
Robert Schlosberg Senior Vice President Bank of America
Holly Schnittger Teacher & Advisor Thomas McKean High School
Robert W. Thomas Thomas Consulting
Bill Ziegler Best Buddies Ambassador
Chelle Williams Clinical Data Manager Astellas Pharma US
A Very Special
Robert Thomas Sponsorship Chair
Bob Schlosberg & Robin Brennan Silent Auction Committee