Dear Friends, Welcome to the 2026 Champion of the Year Gala. Tonight, we come together to celebrate friendship, inclusion, and the extraordinary power of community. This evening is about more than a campaign. It is about the connections we build, the lives we change, and the belief that every person deserves to belong. On behalf of Best Buddies New Jersey, thank you for being here and for believing in our mission to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your presence tonight reflects a shared commitment to inclusion that extends far beyond this room. The success of this year’s campaign is a testament to the incredible dedication, compassion, and teamwork of our Champions, mission partners, board members, volunteers, and staff. Each of you played an essential part in making tonight possible. Every sponsorship, every donation, every bid, and every moment of encouragement has helped bring our mission to life. Because of your generosity, our programs will continue to grow, reaching more schools, expanding job opportunities, and building stronger, more inclusive communities across New Jersey. The impact of your support will be felt every time a student finds a friend, every time a participant secures a meaningful job, and every time a community chooses to see ability before disability. Together, we are creating opportunities that transform lives and ensuring that inclusion continues to thrive. Thank you for standing beside us, for celebrating with us, and for believing in the Best Buddies mission. Tonight, we honor you and the friendships that make our work possible. With gratitude, Guinevere Garlow Director of Mission Advancement Best Buddies New Jersey
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Event Planning Committee Advisory Board
Event Committee
Jenna Rosa - Board Chair Courtney Mullin Greg Dillon Chris Weidman Bret Flemming Vanessa Clark Raul Monroig
Maria Navarette - Committee Chair Todd Abedrabbo Alexis Brisman Beth Hornback Debbie Anderson Anna Samanamu Cristina Fogg
Bid From the Heart The Value of Your Donation Supports How your donations can make an impact. $5,000 – OPEN DOORS TO INCLUSION Help us develop and support a new school chapter for an entire year. From outreach and recruitment to training and resources, your support will help to create inclusive opportunities and transform an entire school community. $2,500 – A YEAR OF ENGAGEMENT Best Buddies is creating opportunities to connect throughout the year for over 30 chapters throughout the state. Help us fill the calendar with new opportunities for people with and without IDD. $1,000 – PARTY WITH A PURPOSE The Best Buddies Friendship Ball is an inclusive event that creates memories that will last a lifetime. Help create a magical evening of fun & friendship for thousands of our participants in NJ. $500 – COLLABORATION IS KEY Best Buddies provides numerous local leadership trainings for our chapter leaders & Ambassadors. These events create opportunities for networking, idea sharing & collaboration among our participants & help them become better advocates for inclusion. $250 – IT'S A MATCH! One to one friendships are at the heart of our mission. Help make a new friendship possible by funding a match in our Citizens Program. Your support can put an end to the social isolation that people with IDD often face and open doors to new & meaningful connections. $100 – YOU'VE GOT MAIL! Our e-Buddies Program provides opportunities for social inclusion online by matching people with & without IDD in email friendships that can help to enhance computer & conversation skills. Help make a new e-match possible today!
2025 Champion of the Year
Juliana Harris Julianna Harris is a true champion for inclusion and a passionate supporter of Best Buddies New Jersey. As the 2025 Champion of the Year, Julianna made an incredible impact, raising a record-breaking $32,000 to support opportunities for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to build meaningful friendships, find employment, and feel a greater sense of belonging in their communities. Beyond the impressive fundraising total, Julianna’s commitment stood out in the way she showed up for the campaign and the people behind the mission. She consistently took the time to thank her supporters, share the impact of their generosity, and bring others along in the power of Best Buddies. Her dedication helped make the 2025 campaign a tremendous success and serves as an inspiring example of what can happen when one person uses their voice, their network, and their passion to create a more inclusive world. We are so grateful for Julianna and proud to celebrate the incredible difference she continues to make.
Champion Candidates & Mission Partners
Team Erin & Hugh
John Carrasquillo & Julia Morriss
Cliff Donadio & Teagan and Chloe
Audrey Hall & Cooper Scott
Roman Harsch & Phil Acosta
Donna Iuvone & Sofia DeVincentis
Douglas Mitchell & RoseAnn Price
Raul Monroig & Danny Margulis
Team NJ Volunteer & Omar Abusada
Team River Dell
This Year's Entertainment Bret Flemming A longtime Best Buddies advocate and accomplished singer, Bret Flemming has opened for global stars like Flo Rida and continues to use his incredible voice to inspire inclusion. As an amazing Best Buddies New Jersey Board Member, Bret brings passion, talent, and heart to every performance and to our mission of friendship and opportunity for all.
PHOTO CAN GO HERE
Gabriel “DJ Costa” Music producer and mix engineer Gabriel “DJ Costa” brings his signature “Costa Sound” to tonight’s event. Through his company, Right Vibe Studio in Garwood, NJ, he provides music and production lessons for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping everyone find their creative voice.
Donna & Echo Hear from this dynamic duo as they sing their hearts out about friendship and community! Two Best Buddies graduates from Warren Hills High School, they’re bringing their voices and passion to the stage. Echo can be found singing on stages across the country, and tonight, they’re here to celebrate the power of friendship with all of us!
Danny Margulis Best Buddies Ambassador Danny Margulis set the tone for tonight’s celebration with his captivating steel drum performance during the cocktail hour. A talented musician who has performed at many venues across New Jersey, Danny continues to amaze audiences while sharing the spirit of inclusion through his music.
Meghan & Alexa Hear from Alexa and Meghan as they share the heartfelt story of how the Best Buddies Citizens Program brought them together and turned a new connection into a meaningful friendship. Their story is a beautiful reminder of the power of friendship, belonging, and finding your people.
How to Bid Register: Text NJCOY26 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
WELLNESS • CREATIVITY • CHOICE
Customizable programs designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Yoga • Wellness • Cooking • LifeCoaching • CreativeArts&More NJ DDD FUNDING OPTIONS AVAILABLE
PROUD SPONSOR BEST BUDDIES NJ 2026 GALA
SCAN TO EXPLORE PROGRAMS
kristen@peacefulpotato.org • www.peacefulpotatoyoga.com • 201-285-7001
Rock the 21 is honored to celebrate the Best Buddies Champion of the Year! Thank you for your advocacy in supporting Best Buddies’ mission and for your dedicated efforts in fostering friendships, creating jobs, promoting leadership development, inclusive living, and providing family support for individuals with differing abilities. Congratulations to all the honorees!
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Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.
Rock the21isa non-profi t corporation dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
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Walk. Celebrate. Support.
Greater Princeton Greater Princeton Area Area -Spring 2027 Spring 2027 Time: TBD | Location: The College of NJ 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/NewJersey
Walk. Celebrate. Support.
North Jersey North Jersey -- Spring Spring 2027 2027 Time: April 18th | Location: Seton Hall University 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/NewJersey
Guinevere Garlow (818)6011829 | Guineveregarlow@bestbuddies.org
MAKE A FRIEND | DONATE | VOLUNTEER To find your local Best Buddies office, visit: BESTBUDDIES.ORG