{"id":163311,"date":"2017-11-20T11:47:26","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T16:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=163311"},"modified":"2022-04-12T12:39:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T16:39:14","slug":"21st-annual-best-buddies-miami-gala-expansion-in-india-raises-nearly-3-million-to-support-individuals-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/international\/21st-annual-best-buddies-miami-gala-expansion-in-india-raises-nearly-3-million-to-support-individuals-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"21st Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala – Expansion In India Raises Nearly $3 Million To Support Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
This year\u2019s Gala celebrated the organization\u2019s expansion into India. The event included a fabulous cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, unique live and silent auctions, and a live performance by the four-time Grammy nominated, multi-platinum rapper Iggy Azalea<\/strong>!<\/p>\n During the Gala, philanthropist Ralph Winter<\/strong> was honored with the Spirit of Leadership award for his $1 million<\/strong> gift to Best Buddies that will be used to promote and expand the organization’s mission of friendship, jobs, and leadership development for individuals with IDD around the world.<\/p>\n This event, as always, brought together some of Miami\u2019s most notable residents and celebrities from around the globe. In attendance were Actors Nolan Gould<\/strong>, Jason Lewis<\/strong>, and Kevin McHale<\/strong>; Singer Austin Mahone<\/strong>; Actress and Model Charlotte McKinney<\/strong>; Four-time Tour de France Winner Chris Froome<\/strong>; Miss Teen USA 2017 Sophia Dominguez-Heithoff<\/strong>; and International Pop-Artist and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Romero Britto<\/strong>.<\/p>\n There were a number of exclusive items up for auction, including a limited edition Hublot Best Buddies Cycling Timepiece, a custom portrait by Pop-Artist Romero Britto, a luxurious Aspen getaway, and a Tour de France experience with pro cyclist Chris Froome and Team Sky! In total, the silent and live auctions raised $747,000<\/strong> for the organization.<\/p>\n The crowd was captivated by an Indian dance troupe, acrobatic dancers, and a live elephant that welcomed guests into the Indian themed event. Several Best Buddies participants showcased their amazing talents throughout the evening including Best Buddies Ambassador Jack Mayor who delivered a powerful speech about the impact Best Buddies has had on his life.<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s festivities kicked off bright and early with the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami<\/strong>, a 100K six-star cycling event, limited to just 50 cyclists that began and ended at Marlins Park. The Challenge was led by Tour de France winner Chris Froome<\/strong>, and pro cyclists George Hincapie<\/strong> and Christian Vande Velde<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”97530″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]\n The Challenge and Gala weekend concluded on Saturday with a White Mass held in partnership with the Archdiocese of Miami<\/strong> and Father Roberto Cid<\/strong>, in thanksgiving for the lives of individuals with special abilities.<\/p>\n Sterling Foundation Management<\/strong> and the The Ferraro Law Firm<\/strong> are the Friendship Sponsors<\/em> of the event; Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, Carnival Corporation<\/strong> & PLC, Carnival Foundation, Celebrity Cruises, Chateau Gaby, Tracfone Wireless<\/strong> are the Employment Sponsors<\/em>. Leadership Sponsors<\/em> include the Abaco Wines, Braman Motors, Capital Trust Group, The GEO Group Foundation, Inc., IPC, Sheba Lucas, Mack Cycle & Fitness, Park West Foundation, Pepsi-Cola, Michael Schlesginer, Sandy & Tony Tamer<\/strong> and WSVN 7 News<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n For media inquiries<\/strong> (including requests for credentials): Best Buddies International: Nicole Maddox, 305-374-2233, ext. 343, This year\u2019s Gala celebrated the organization\u2019s expansion into India. The event included a fabulous cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, unique live and silent auctions, and a live performance by the four-time Grammy nominated, multi-platinum rapper Iggy Azalea!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":97530,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"int-single-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[827],"tags":[835],"class_list":["post-163311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","tag-india"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nNicoleMaddox@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"