Best Buddies International

The Beta Chi pledge class of Alpha Kappa Psi is pairing with Best Buddies Int. to raise money for students with special needs. We are dedicated to making a difference in our community in any way we can. Best Buddies promotes more than just inclusion it encourages and empowers those with disabilities. With every donation, you are helping to fund Best Buddies clubs at schools all over the country.

Our goal is to raise at least $2500 for Best Buddies Int. 100% of the proceeds will be sent directly to BestBuddies.org. If you feel compelled to donate, you can do so through GoFundMe.com under the name "Best Buddies X Beta Chi" or Venmo @BetaChi2021.

Along with colleagues from Forrester, we are participating in a Move-A-Thon and raising money to benefit Best Buddies International. We are doing this to draw attention and provide monetary support to diversity and inclusion (D&I) at work -- Abilities specifically. Other groups of colleagues are doing a similar effort around our other D&I pillars -- Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Age, and LGBTQ+. Best Buddies provides a range of opportunities and services, including helping promote and match employment for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (More on Best Buddies below.)

The Abilities team includes: Amanda LeClair, Brianna Kane, Carolyn Smith, Chris Andrews, Chris Hoy, Dan Costello Jr., Gina Bhawalkar, Jessica Troiano, Jezzica Bellitti, Joe Cicman, Kina Kellogg, Liz Herbert, Melissa Kleinholz, Michelle Allen, Morgan Steele, Sarah Brinks, Sarah Montague, Sherri Kottmann, and Shirley Macbeth.

We are all setting activity goals for the virtual Move-A-Thon event on the weekend of November 20th -- walking, biking, running, and doing other activities (BMX, Peloton, and more) in honor of our cause.

Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.

More information about Best Buddies International: Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to 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 (IDD).

Want to join me in making a difference?  We're raising money to benefit Best Buddies International, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.  Whether you decide to donate or not, please share this post. You can donate here or the link below....  The deadline for the campaign is October 20.

John Riley first met Chris Hollyfield at a Special Olympics weight lifting competition and where they became instant friends. John, the competitor and Chris, who donated his time to Special Olympics, coached and motivated the special athletes.  That was a year ago.  Today, their bond is stronger than ever, spending countless hours Face Timing. Chris is not just a friend, but a positive driving force in his life.  When Best Buddies International approached Chris about being a campaign manager, he didn't hesitate to selflessly donate his time and resources for such a worthy cause; and nominate John as Champion of the Year. Now they've teamed up to raise money for https://www.bestbuddieschampion.org/palmbeach/supporting/#TeamJohn_Chris

Bio

Chris Hollyfield - Chris is a motivational speaker, actor, and business owner. In addition, he has been on ESPN, 60 minutes, Dateline NBC, and Primetime Live. You may also know him as “Little Boogeyman” on WWE Smack Down. In addition to his acting, Chris is also the founder of 3D T.E.A.M.

John Riley - Born with Down Syndrome, John always finds the right side of life and no one is a stranger. His positive personality is infectious and never hesitates to lend a helping hand. His special love is Special Olympics, where he has competed on a state level three times in track and weight lifting, where he medaled in each event.  He is also an honorary member of the American Legion Riders for Post 117 in Palm Bay. Now he is committed to helping Best Buddies with Chris.

My name is Cam Marshall and I have teamed up with Positive Tracks to bring community to YOU!

After nearly six weeks of social distancing, it has become clear the immeasurable value of community. The news can be daunting during times like this, but the POWER OF COMMUNITY has become increasingly apparent in light of COVID-19. During my time at home, I have reflected upon the invaluable experiences I have had in my community. And with that, isolation and physical distancing have presented challenges for all of us. Maybe you have been stuck feeling alone and/or scared. I am here to remind you that we are in this TOGETHER!

Isolation and physical distancing may be new to some of us, but it has posed a challenges for some of our community's vital members for quite some time. Because of this, I am organizing this event to support Best Buddies, which is the world's largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Please join me in mobilizing to support those presented with the challenge of isolation.

Here is how it works:

WHAT: Run, Walk, Hike or Ride a Virtual 5K, 10K, Half Marathon (or any distance of your choosing)

WHO: Anyone & EVERYONE! (distanced according to CDC guidelines, please)

DATE: May 31st & June 1st

LOCATION: Anywhere!

COST: $10 per person - Donations support Best Buddies
Additional donations are encouraged

TO DO:

SHARE A PHOTO OR VIDEO from your run, whether it's via Instagram, Facebook or email. Please use the hashtags #run4buddies and #positivetracks

TAG: Please tag @bestbuddies, @bestbuddiesunh and my partner, @postracks, so they can share and cheer us on!

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS! We want to get as many participants as possible because it will result in more funds for Best Buddies and a stronger sense of COMMUNITY! Feel free to share with any networks you may have - we want everyone to know!
 

BEST BUDDIES INFORMATION

Individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their loved ones have long tried to combat this challenge. Employment, friendship and leadership development opportunities are not always available to those impacted by IDD. Now more than ever, addressing these challenges is critical. Programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy, and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

To read more about Best Buddies International, follow this link:
https://www.bestbuddies.org

I would also like thank the INCREDIBLE Positive Tracks for being my partner. Positive Tracks is a national non-profit that empowers youth to create change for causes they are passionate about utilizing sport as a platform. They call it SWEATING FOR GOOD! I want to thank Positive tracks for their coaching and continual support with everything from getting started to launching events and for matching up to $100 that I raise. Interested? Feel free to reach out if you are looking to host your own active event for a cause or organization you care about and I am happy to put you in touch with Positive Tracks.

Check out their website at: http://www.positivetracks.org

MOVING FORWARD: Please take a moment to fill out the form below to participate. Utilize the above link for the GoFundMe page, print your bib and SHARE pictures and videos come May 31st. The Run with a Buddy 5K is meant to raise awareness around isolation and physical distancing, so run with a buddy from home, but keep in mind social distancing guidelines when participating!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLVVvufHDWuLNBOR2dPj8dfLuh6i7nMiaIdzmWa6oUfX9U3w/viewform?usp=sf_link

I am hoping to raise $5000 and advocate for the mission outlined by Best Buddies International. Join me in SWEATING FOR GOOD to create positive change during these difficult times!

In addition, I'm partnering with Positive Tracks for this event. They teach young people how to sweat for good and will be matching up to $100 I raise for Best Buddies.

 Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause!

Yes, it's depressing that the Capitals made an early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. And yes, it's hard to watch the Stanley Cup Final without our favorite team. But the Cup is ours until June, and NoVa Caps has a way to turn a bad situation into some good: the Nova Caps Charity Challenge.

Our challenge is simple: take the money you would have spent at a watch party or on a playoff ticket and contribute to a good cause. Our charity: Best Buddies Capital Region, a charity that the Capitals have long supported. 

Best Buddies is a non-profit that promotes social inclusion, job opportunities, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies Virginia & DC serves 3,600 students at 14 middle schools, 37 high schools, and 12 colleges.

Best Buddies Jobs is a supported-employment program which helps adults with IDD gain employment to be more self-sufficient. The organization evaluates each person's interests and strengths to help them find the best match in the workplace.

Best Buddies also has a job program which helps those with IDD gain employment to be more self-sufficient. The organization evaluates each person's interests and strengths to help them find the best match in the workplace.

Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is a long-time supporter of Best Buddies. Leonsis has been a supporter and advocate of Best Buddies since 1998. As vice-chairman of AOL, he launched and initially publically funded "e-Buddies," an e-mail pen-pal program, and he was part of the first e-Buddies pair with his buddy of more than 20 years, Ken Holden. The two are great friends to this very day and have exchanged over 10,000 emails over the years.

To see how long Leonsis has helped out the organization, see how he looked when his relationship with Best Buddies started.



Former Capitals Head Coach Barry Trotz has also been a huge supporter of the organization, both in Washington and in Nashville when he was the head coach of the Nashville Predators. His wife, Kim, held a Best Buddies skating party at MedStar Capitals Iceplex when Trotz was in Washington. He inspired people in the program, talking about raising his son, Nolan, who has a disability.

Photo: WashingtonCapitals.com

In an interview with the Capitals' website, Trotz said "Best Buddies has had a tremendous impact on Nolan's life, as well as countless other participants, from peers to buddies and beyond. Their programming positively influences many lives, and the awareness and funding the walk brings to the organization is instrumental to their continued success."

NoVa Caps wants you to rise to the challenge and help this great organization. Let's do this Caps fans!

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More information about Best Buddies International: Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to 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 (IDD).

Note: all proceeds raised through this program will be sent by GoFundMe directly to Best Buddies and cannot be used for any other purpose.

This year, I’m celebrating my birthday by supporting Best Buddies International instead of asking for gifts. This incredible organization creates opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through friendship, job placements, and leadership development. I believe in their mission and want to help make a difference in the lives of those who often face isolation and challenges.

Your donations will help Best Buddies continue their important work by:

• Establishing one-to-one friendships that foster inclusion and community.
• Providing job training and employment opportunities for individuals with IDD.

• Facilitating friendships that empower individuals with IDD, helping them forge meaningful connections.
• Providing resources for integrated employment and leadership development programs that promote independence and growth.