Champion of the Year: Central Illinois
Unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.
6:00 PM | Peoria, IL
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Champion of the Year event! Because of you, we were able to raise funds to sustain and help expand our Best Buddies programs in the area. We look forward to having you at next year’s event. With your help and support, our mission of inclusion lives on!
Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide.
Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaign. Our Champions advocate for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support. At the Best Buddies Champion of the Year celebration, we honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!
Join Best Buddies in Central Illinois as we go “Around the World” for the 2024 Champion of the Year Gala! Enjoy around the world cuisine like Mediterranean Chicken, Korean Style BBQ Short Ribs, and Indian Veggie dish, along with appetizers like sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella crostini’s, antipasto shot glasses, and hummus with naan. We will celebrate our Champions, Best Buddies growth in Central Illinois, and learn more about Best Buddies Internationally.
It starts with the Tito’s Cocktail Hour at 6pm! Enjoy the Best Buddies x Tito’s signature drink, wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage, and bid on amazing local and worldly auction items like Hairy Potter shoes from Turkey, local indoor driving ranges, and fun experiences. At 7pm our program begins with dinner being served around 7:15pm. After our silent auction closes at 8pm, we will dive right into our live auction to bid on thrilling experiences and once in a lifetime opportunities where every dollar raised supports Best Buddies mission, and our Champions!
After we “Bid from the Heart” with The Yard – Peoria, we will dance the night away to the sensory-friendly, and always super awesome, silent disco! Pick your favorite channel, adjust the volume to be perfect for you, and dance the night away as we celebrate our Champions going all out for Best Buddies! We will announce the 2024 Champion after 9pm.
Last year was a sold-out event! Get your table, dress in cocktail attire, or something that represents your heritage, and join us for an amazing night of inclusion, accomplishments, Champions, and Best Buddies!!!
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Schedule
Friday, October 18, 2024
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Dinner & Program: 7:00 PM
Event Ends: 11:00 PM
Inclusion Afterparty at Neon Bison,
Main St. downtown Peoria.
Location
The Warehouse on State
736 SW Washington St
Peoria, IL 61602
Event Contact
Congrats to our 2024 Illinois Champion of the Year
Joey O’Brien
Raised $64,137 for Best Buddies in Central Illinois
Illinois: Central Illinois
A Glimpse of the Party...
Why Participate...
All funds raised benefit Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Signature Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact: