Your gift celebrates the heart of this movement by honoring the Champions who came before, empowering those still to come, and carrying forward 20 years of friendship, inclusion, and opportunity with Best Buddies in Virginia & Washington, D.C. Together, we can ensure that every Champion's impact lives on and inspires the next generation.

Your donation to Best Buddies directly supports programs right here in Virginia & DC, helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities form meaningful friendships, gain competitive employment, develop leadership skills, and live independently.

Every gift stays local-fueling school-based chapters and leaders, inclusive events, job placements, ambassador trainings, and so much more.

We are honored to be nominated as Best Buddies 2025 Champion of the Year candidates. Ben, who is 21 and autistic, has always been highly social, and connecting with peers remains one of his primary goals. However, now that he is no longer supported by the school system, building and maintaining friendships has become more challenging.

Best Buddies plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities by fostering friendships, providing job support, developing leadership skills, and promoting inclusive housing. Programs like these make a significant difference in the lives of people like Ben.

We are proud to support Best Buddies' mission and its life-changing work, and we hope to help ensure it continues to empower and connect people with and without disabilities for years to come.

We are so grateful for your support!

I am a Champion Candidate for Best Buddies! Please consider supporting my campaign as I raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies.

Best Buddies has completely changed my life for the better. It's helped me see beyond my disability and empowered me to take on new adventures and grow more independent. Through the power of connection, I've found friendship and inclusion. I've even had the chance to meet people I never dreamed I'd get to know-those friendships have brought me so much joy. Best Buddies has brought me and my buddy closer together and given me confidence, purpose, and community.

Being part of this program has shown me that people don't just see my disabilities-they see me for who I truly am. Best Buddies creates a space where everyone can feel like they belong. A place where stories are shared, differences are celebrated, and friendships are built that last a lifetime. It's about raising awareness and creating a world where everyone can have a buddy-just like me.

As a Champion, I hope to leave a legacy of kindness and meaningful change. It's not about the title-it's about standing up for others, spreading your story, and making sure everyone feels included. If even one person feels more accepted and empowered because of something I did, then I've made a difference. I want my legacy to inspire others to keep pushing for a more inclusive world.

Throughout this experience, I hope to grow as a leader and deepen my understanding of what true inclusion looks like. I want to learn from the incredible people around me-my job, my friends, my buddy, my family, and my coach. Most of all, I want this journey to challenge all of us to build a world where everyone belongs.

As a Champion Candidate, I have committed to raising awareness and funds for this life-changing mission. You can make a difference and support my campaign through making a donation, purchasing a ticket, donating an auction item, securing a sponsorship or matching gift from your employer.

I am so grateful for your support!

I am a Champion Candidate for Best Buddies! Please consider supporting my campaign as I raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies.

Best Buddies International is an organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).With your support, Best Buddies will help more people form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

As a Champion Candidate, I have committed to raising awareness and funds for this life-changing mission. You can make a difference and support my campaign through making a donation, purchasing a ticket, donating an auction item, securing a sponsorship or matching gift from your employer.

I am so grateful for your support!

Your donation to Best Buddies directly supports programs right here in Virginia & DC, helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities form meaningful friendships, gain competitive employment, develop leadership skills, and live independently.

Every gift stays local-fueling school-based chapters and leaders, inclusive events, job placements, ambassador trainings, and so much more.

With your support, we can continue growing opportunities and breaking down barriers in our own community.