Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is pleased to announce its 20th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala at Ice Palace Studios in Wynwood on Friday, November 18.
The 20th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala is a spectacular event with hundreds of prominent locals and international guests gathering to celebrate Best Buddies’ mission. This year’s Best Buddies Miami Gala theme is Rock Legends! Time and time again, rock legends have proven themselves as agents of social change, much like Best Buddies.
As a result of phenomenal support from generous sponsors and donors, Best Buddies is able to extend its reach globally, and will continue to develop its presence through our eight formal programs— Best Buddies Ambassadors, Citizens, Colleges, e-Buddies, High Schools, Jobs, Middle Schools and Promoters — across the United States and in over 50 countries. This support will allow Best Buddies to impact the lives of individuals as diverse as the many different genres of music.
During the Gala, guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner, partake in a top-notch auction and witness dazzling entertainment. Proceeds from the Gala will enable Best Buddies to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a global scale.
“I am incredibly proud to celebrate the Best Buddies mission with some of our most dedicated supporters, participants, and volunteers,” says Anthony K. Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. “For the past 27 years we have been fortunate to have the support of so many influential figures who have helped bring global awareness to our efforts and programs. Our Miami Gala is a fantastic way to thank and celebrate the achievements of our participants and supporters, as well as remind everyone of our mission and the importance of the work that we do.”
Each year, the Gala brings together Miami’s most notable residents and celebrities from around the globe. Among those expected to attend this year are: Best Buddies International’s Founder and Chairman Anthony K. Shriver and his wife, Alina Shriver; Actors Kate Flannery, Nolan Gould, Kelly Hu, and Verne Troyer; Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber, Miss Teen USA 2016 Karlie Hay; Miss Florida USA 2017 Linette De Los Santos; and Miss Florida Teen USA 2017 Victoria DiSorbo; International Pop-Artist Romero Britto; and the evening will conclude with a special musical performance by superstar Kesha!
There will also be a number of one-of-a-kind items up for auction, including a limited edition Hublot Best Buddies Cycling Timepiece, a custom-made Cannondale SuperSix EVO bike featuring Best Buddies colors, a custom portrait by Romero Britto, and a luxurious trip to Montage Deer Valley in Utah for five nights during ski season as well as five nights during the summer season.
The day’s festivities will kick-off bright and early with the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami, a 62-mile charity bike ride through the streets of the Magic City, with Pro Cyclists George Hincapie, Christian Vande Velde, Andrew Talansky, Lyne Bessette, and Tim Johnson. This world-class cycling event begins and ends at Marlins Park and is limited to just 50 riders. This ride features a Tour de France-style police escorted peloton with road and intersection closures, support vehicles, and two fully-stocked rest stops.
This year’s Gala and Challenge promise to be an exciting and enchanting event for all participants, supporters, and volunteers.
Sterling Foundation Management and the The Ferraro Law Firm are the Title Sponsors of the event; Cabinets To Go is the Exclusive Sponsor; Carnival Corporation & PLC, Carnival Foundation, Klingman & Associates, LLC, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Tracfone Wireless are the Presenting Sponsors. Leadership Sponsors include the Ansin Foundation, Braman Motors, Capital Trust Group, Celebrity Cruises, Coastal Construction, Cold Stone Creamery, Comcast, The GEO Group Foundation, Inc., Christina Griffith, Grupo Textil Providencia SA de CV, Michael Lerner, Diane Lieberman, Mack Cycle & Fitness, Park West Foundation, Pepsi-Cola, Michael Schlesginer, Sandra & Tony Tamer and Watermill Institutional Trading.
Find out more about the event here.
