Event Proceeds to Support Best Buddies’ Mission of Inclusion and fund research for the women’s Alzheimer’s movement

Malibu, CA, April 30, 2019 – Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce its Third Annual Best Buddies Mother’s Day Celebration featuring Title Sponsor Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot. The event will be co-hosted by Best Buddies Founder, Chairman & CEO Anthony K. Shriver and Founder, The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, Maria Shriver. The event will take place Saturday, May 11, in Malibu, California.

This Mother’s Day Brunch will celebrate mothers all around the world, especially the incredible mothers of Best Buddies participants, paying homage to the gifts of love and friendship that mothers give to their children. Acclaimed photographer Brian Bowen Smith will capture all the special moments of the mothers and their children throughout the day.

 The event will feature cocktails, live musical performances, family-friendly activities and a special awards ceremony honoring Best Buddies’ Mother of the Year — Yanti Lugito — the mother of Catherine Lugito, who is an artist, Best Buddies Ambassador and advocate for others with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Best Buddies has been there from the very beginning. This organization has been a safe haven where Catherine developed lifelong friendships and where she found a supportive community to thrive into the individual she is today,” said Yanti Lugito. “My daughter Catherine is a special gift from heaven. It’s been a privilege to be her mother and an honor to be entrusted to raise her since day one,” said Lugito. “She teaches me to see life from different, more valuable perspectives. She teaches me how to see people from the heart.”

Title sponsor Hublot, a dedicated partner of Best Buddies, will introduce a 2019 limited-edition Best Buddies Classic Fusion Titanium Pavé, the first women’s timepiece in collaboration with the organization, crafted specially to honor the “Remarkable” women who strive to leave a legacy throughout their local communities and beyond. Watch sales proceeds will support Best Buddies’ global programs of inclusion and empower the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement to fund critical women-based Alzheimer’s research in their search for a cure.

“Across the globe, mothers act as pillars of love, friendship and strength for their families. Mothers are an invaluable source of encouragement, and above all, they understand us like no one else can,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “My mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, will always be my hero. I would be nowhere without her unending love and guidance. My mother guided me in everything I did. She believed relentlessly in the power of friendship and without her, Best Buddies would not exist. I thank her for her love, passion, leadership and faith in our cause. I am so thankful for her enduring spirit which guides me in the work that I do today on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

“I’m grateful that Best Buddies and Hublot have partnered with my organization, the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM), to launch a 2019 Limited Edition ladies watch this year,” said Maria Shriver, Founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement. “Every 65 seconds, a new brain develops Alzheimer’s in this country, and women and individuals with Down syndrome are at an increased risk for the disease. Proceeds from this special watch will empower WAM to fund critical women-based Alzheimer’s research, which will help us get closer to a cure for all.”

“Best Buddies is a wonderful charity that provides friendship and opportunities to so many people with special abilities. Hublot has been committed to Best Buddies for years, and we are excited to continue our partnership both to raise money and awareness for them so that they can further their mission of inclusion,” said CEO of Hublot, Ricardo Guadalupe.

Celebrity guests expected to attend this year includes Best Buddies Global Ambassador Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber, Kris Jenner, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Denise Richards, Melissa Rivers, Pierce Brosnan, Jean-François Sberro, Vivica A. Fox, John Stamos, Jae Sue Park, and Nikki and Brie Bella, among others.

Host Committee Members for this year’s Mother’s Day Celebration include Florence Azria, Cindy Crawford, Lyndie Benson, Kris Jenner, Keely Brosnan, Rory Kennedy, Lisa Rinna, and Shea Bowen-Smith, among others.

 For more information, please contact Mark Wylie, Vice President, Talent Relations, at Best Buddies International: MarkWylie@BestBuddies.org.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 54 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.25 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies.

For media inquiries:    
Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
305-374-2233, ext. 343
NicoleMaddox@bestbuddies.org