Dear Friends, I am beyond thrilled to welcome you to our 2021 Champion of the Year Gala. After another challenging year that has come along with navigating the unknown of the pandemic, it brings me great joy to be here alongside wonderful friends who share the same passion for inclusion. I find myself in absolute awe when I think about all of the incredible things we have been able to accomplish together to maintain the success of our programmatic initiatives. Tonight, I would love to extend a special thank you to all our sponsors, advisory board members, and committee members who have helped make this event an extraordinary success. Most notably, I want to say thank you our Champions who have demonstrated
the true spirit of giving by working tirelessly over the past several months to support the Best Buddies’ mission! On behalf of Best Buddies in Tampa Bay, we thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity by attending our event. Please sit back, relax and enjoy this magical evening of enchantment!
Morgan Heartsfield Deputy Director, Development Best Buddies in Tampa Bay
The Value of Your Donation Supports Best Buddies helps form meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills, all while feeling valued by society.
$5,000 • Supports our mission expansion efforts through the opening of a new school, Citizens or corporate citizens chapter locally in the Tampa Bay Area. •
Covers the cost of the venue space, food, and complimentary access for over 400 local participants to enjoy our in-person or virtual Friendship Ball.
$2,500 • Supports an ALL DAY leadership, self advocacy or independent living skills training for up to 50 people with and without disabilities. $1,000 • Sends a student leader, Ambassador or a Jobs Participant to the Best Buddies Annual leadership conference in Indiana. $500 • Provides job training to a participant with an IDD &/or a potential employer to help create a more inclusive work environment. $250 • Supports the match development of a one-on-one friendship for a person with and without a disability. $100 •
Fund an online Best Buddies friendship pair utilizing our E-Buddy program that supports both social skill development and technological literacy.
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