Dear Friends, Welcome to the 6th Annual Champion of the Year Gala for Best Buddies in the Mountain Region! Tonight we celebrate, recognize and uplift the intellectual and developmental disability community in our state. We are delighted to support a cause that many of you uplift all year long. The Champion of the Year philanthropic competition for Best Buddies in Colorado celebrates Best Buddies participants and community leaders who have been nominated as “Champions of Inclusion” to raise funds and increase awareness for the mission of Best Buddies. Throughout their campaign, these individuals have worked tirelessly to elevate our cause and tonight are being honored for their efforts. The Champion candidate who raises the most funds for Best Buddies, surpassing all rivals in this competition, will be named our 2023 Grand Champion of the Year. All funds raised by the Champions along with the proceeds from this Gala will directly benefit the local programs of Best Buddies in Colorado to create more friendships, develop leadership opportunities, and open new programs for hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities around the state. Thank you for your support of our Champion of the Year Gala and beyond! We couldn’t do this without your help, and we’re grateful for our donors every day. In Friendship
Rachael Fischer Rachael Fischer Director, Best Buddies in Colorado
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Bid From the Heart 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 • A middle school, high school, or college Chapter for a year • The cost of the room and food to host 250+ Best Buddies members to the statewide Friendship Ball $2,500 • 10 buddy runners to participate in the ION Bank Cheshire Half Marathon or 5K or Team Best Buddies Relay $1,000 • The cost to send a Buddy to the Leadership Conference (Registration and Air) • A tent at the walk • DJ or photo booth for a statewide Best Buddies event $500 • Bus to transport a school chapter to the Friendship Walk or Friendship Ball • Registration for a buddy to attend the Leadership Conference • The cost of a flight to send a student leader to the Leadership Conference in Indiana $350 • Citizens/Ambassador bowling party • 1 buddy runner to participate in the ION Bank Cheshire Half Marathon • The cost of buying t-shirts for a school chapter $250 • The cost to send 4 buddies to the Buddy Ball • The cost to send a buddy to the Party with a Purpose • Transportation for 2 ambassadors to give public speeches • The cost of a pizza party for a school chapter
2022 Champion of the Year
Lloyd Lewis Early in my life, I set my course for success. I knew what universities I wanted to go to and I knew what I wanted to be. But as is often the case with well-thought-out plans, things did NOT go as expected and my life. What changed everything was the birth of my son Kennedy, who was born with Down syndrome in 2003. From that moment on, I have devoted my life to creating as many opportunities as possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Only a few short years after Kennedy was born, I left my high-profile career and became president and CEO of arc Thrift Stores, one of Colorado’s largest nonprofit service organizations. Since 2005, I have built arc into a $125 million organization, with 34 retail stores throughout the state. But, more significantly, arc is now one of Colorado’s largest employers of individuals with IDD. Every day I see my son, who is funny and smart and a great dancer, living that dream and I am proud beyond words. He has meaning and purpose in his life, in no small part because of his involvement with Best Buddies. I joined the Best Buddies board almost immediately after signing Kennedy up to be in the program. As a board member, I am devoted to helping Best Buddies get their word out in Colorado and across the country about the amazing work the organization does. And as a father, I have seen its mission in action and its profound impact.
THANK YOU Lloyd for raising $31,248.93 for Best Buddies in Colorado!
Candidates
Amber Reynolds & Brittany Kinder
Elizabeth Schilling
Emily Rollins
Emily Zaretzky
Jeff Clark & Amanda Sanchez
Karly Vizzini
Kristen Lervik
Kyle Kubat
Lloyd & Kennedy Lewis
Tobe Hatch
Natalie Green
Patrick De Souza
This Year's Entertainment When you think of old country western movies, you might recall the drama around a “duel” to settle just about any snafu. To create the excitement of a duel for the gala, we are thrilled to welcome Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos to the stage! Get ready to laugh, dance and request your favorite song all night long!
How to Bid Register: Text CTCHAMPS to (76278) Donate: Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278) *You can also bid in the silent auction once you’ve registered
Colorado Advisory Board
Lloyd Lewis Board Chair
Kristen Lervik Vice Chair
Sarah McCarthy Secretary
Erin Newton Programs Chair
Jennifer Gonzales Events Chair
Meg Pickens Denver Citizens Lead
Kelsey Parisii Castle Rock Citizens Lead
Ashley Reinschmidt Volunteer Outreach
Morgan Russo Denver Citizens
Emily Gillis Income Development
Amanda Sanchez Programs
Rashmi Talwar Events
Comfortable
Timeless
Walk. Celebrate. Support.
05.05.24 Washington Park, Denver, CO The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD). BESTBUDDIESFRIENDSHIPWALK.ORG/COLORADO
Rachael Fischer (c) 317-339-4540 RachaelFischer@bestbuddies.org