Best Buddies California had such a successful Champion of the Year season with the support of presenting and platinum partners – Waymo, Pantheon, Wires Only, and JLL!

In October and November, we hosted our annual Champion of the Year Galas in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Champion of the Year is a fundraising and awareness-building competition between local inclusion leaders. The competitions began back in August and culminated with galas where the highest fundraiser has crowned the Grand Champion. We could not be more proud of our 38 Champion of the Year Candidates for raising over $382,000 for Best Buddies California! The funds raised at each event will stay local and support the continued growth of our programs in that area. A big part of the events’ success was our spectacular sponsors. They not only made financial contributions but also came to support the Gala and experience our mission firsthand.

Waymo and Pantheon were our presenting sponsors for the San Francisco Champion of the Year Gala. Each had employees serve as Champion of the Year Candidates. Mélanie d’Achon (Waymo) and Amy Pollock (Pantheon) each did a fantastic job spreading awareness and raising funds to support our local programs during their 9-week campaigns.

Waymo Employee and Champion of the Year Candidate Mélanie d’Achon (right) and Mission Partner Nat Spring

Pantheon Employee and Champion of the Year Candidate Amy Pollock (right) and Mission Partner Nate Major (left)

Wires Only was the presenting sponsor of the Los Angeles Champion of the Year Gala and JLL was a platinum sponsor. Both filled tables at the Gala of encouraging and passionate supporters. One of JLL’s employees, Shauna Mattis, was the Mission Partner of one of the Champion of the Year Candidates, Lisa Koskovich. She helped Lisa secure donations through the 10-week completion and was her biggest cheerleader the night of the Gala.

JLL Employee and Mission Partner Shauna Mattis (left) and Champion of the Year Candidate Lisa Koskovich (right)

Thank you to our friends at Waymo, Pantheon, Wires Only, and JLL for supporting our Friendship, Leadership, and Jobs program here in California!