An e-Newsletter from Best Buddies Florida
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. |
Volume 2, Issue 3 April 2010 |
EVENTS | SPONSOR | NEWS | VOLUNTEER | THANK YOU | DONATE
Business Buddies
| Orlando: |
06/1 | 6:00-8:00pm | The Tap Room |
| Miami: |
06/24 | 7:30pm-Midnight | Lucky Strikes Lane |
Special Events
| Tampa: |
05/22 | Havana Nights | The Embassy Suites Downtown Tampa |
| Orlando: |
05/17 | Audi quattro Cup | RedTail Golf Club |
| Broward: |
05/27 | Audi quattro Cup | Parkland Gold & Country Club |
| Miami: |
06/10 | Audi quattro Cup | Biltmore Hotel |
Audi Best Buddies Challenege
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Best Buddies Miami is no stranger to Sponsors going above and beyond but when a Sponsor supports the program at a personal level the effects of their generosity can be seen first hand. This year one of the Program Managers in Miami wanted to shake things up with her Chapter President gatherings, making it not only an informational meeting but a bonding tool for the students.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Miami was gracious to host the Best Buddies Miami High School Program every month for the Spring School Semester. Splitsville provides Best Buddies with free bowling and unlimited sodas for two hours every last Friday of the month.
The students enjoy getting together and bowling! Splitsville is no stranger to Best Buddies, in the fall of 2009 they hosted a Citizens Program event which included complimentary sushi and bowling for the program. Best Buddies Miami couldn’t be more thankful to our CP Gathering Sponsor Splitsville Luxury Lanes! |
| NEWS: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN FLORIDA? |
Middle School, High School and College Program Spotlight
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School chapter has the fortune of being led by an award-winning Chapter President. Aubrey Marks, a Stoneman Douglas senior, was honored by her school as one of three select seniors to receive the Senior Eagle Award for her school and community advocacy through Best Buddies...
Volunteer Spotlight
When Best Buddies Jacksonville received information regarding “Volunteer of the Year” awards through Hands On Jacksonville, formerly VounteerJax, it did not take long to decide who to nominate. Dana Sargent has been involved with the Jacksonville programs for four years...
Jobs Program Spotlight
On March 9th, Colleen O’Donovan started working at Avatar Realty as an office assistant. She is now the third student to graduate from the program and enter the workplace....
Employee Spotlight
Madeline Spado also known as “Maddi” has been involved with Best Buddies since she was only 14 years old, but she had been working towards the betterment of the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities long before that. In middle school Maddi started volunteering with the Possible Dream Foundation. The foundation was a group home started by her pediatrician that serviced clients whose intellectual and developmental disabilities ranged in severity “there were a lot of highly functioning people living there but there were also some that were completely bedridden. Volunteering with the Dream Foundation really taught me how to embrace people from all walks of life” said Spado...
| Audi Best Buddies Challenege |
Meet Jeremy Teter, one of our fearless Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle tandem participants and former Best Buddies High School Chapter participant! At 24, Jeremy is a Best Buddy. He’s riding to support himself and other Best Buddies. He is one who directly benefits from your decision to ride with us again.
Jeremy’s team, FIT Buddies, is comprised of friends, family and personal trainers who run a fitness program for individuals with intellectual disabilities at a local gym. This year, his goal for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle is to ride his own bike! Oh, yeah, and beat his Dad!
Here is why you should join Jeremy:
Q: What advice would you give to people thinking about doing the ride?
JT: "Use your heart to do new things...and use your legs!"
Q: Why should other people sign up?
JT: "Sign up for your own good, your health, for fun and because you may only have one chance!"
Q: Favorite part of the Best Buddies Ride?
JT: "Having fun with new people.”
Click to see video of FIT Buddies at Hearst Castle!
Q: What is the best part about riding Tandem?
JT: Getting to ride with 'Speed' (Rob), the limo bus down to the start line; (they missed the first bus!), and having a NEW experience!"
Q: What was your favorite part of the celebratory BBQ and concert?
JT: "Seeing people on stage and hearing how the Best Buddies program is meant to help people."
Q: Why do you want to ride again this year?
JT: "To ride a bike by myself and beat my Dad!"
You know what a difference you can make. Last year’s event raised close to $4 million! To top that we need you back with us again to insure that these funds continue to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities will continue to receive support. Jobs will be created and friendships will be formed, all because of you. Challenge Yourself to Change Lives.
For more information on the Audi Best Buddies Challenge, visit www.bestbuddieschallenge.org |
| THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS! |
Best Buddies Florida would like to thank the following foundations and organizations for their support:
Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation in support of the Middle School and High School Friendship Program in Miami, FL
Visit our donation form to donate to Best Buddies Florida to support our programs!
CONTACT US:
Best Buddies Florida | 1516 East Colonial Drive, Suite 306 | Orlando, FL 32803
p: 407-898-0787 | f: 407-898-1281 | florida@bestbuddies.org
visit www.bestbuddiesflorida.org
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