{"id":185129,"date":"2024-12-02T10:43:32","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T15:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=185129"},"modified":"2024-12-02T10:43:32","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T15:43:32","slug":"philadelphia-champion-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/pennsylvania\/philadelphia-champion-of-the-year","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Champion of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;185136&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; img_link_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h7kuyl0rB0Yhttp:\/\/&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Best Buddies in Pennsylvania hosted its annual Champion of the Year Gala at the Drexelbrook Special Event Center, bringing together 200 guests to celebrate the power of inclusion. This competitive fundraising campaign honors local leaders who advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s gala highlighted six exceptional Champions of Inclusion: Luis Laboy and his buddy Elijah Reese, Dana McCollum, Caroline Melia, Jim O\u2019Brien, Bryce Remsburg, and Randy Hope Steen. Together, these inspiring individuals raised over $85,000 to support Best Buddies programs in Pennsylvania. Special recognition was given to Randy Hope Steen, named this year\u2019s Grand Champion.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-185138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage.webp\" alt=\"COY Collage\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage-150x79.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The evening featured a heartwarming choral performance by <em>The Miracles<\/em>, setting the tone for a night of celebration, connection, and inspiration. Guests enjoyed gourmet appetizers crafted by an exceptional lineup of chefs and sous chefs. The culinary stars of the evening included: Chef Kevin Cooper from Chicken Guy and sous Chef Keisha Deeds, Chef Kes from bartaco and sous chef Lisa Holz, Chef Nelson from Paladar Latin Kitchen and sous chef Jenna Powers, Chef John Serock from John Serock Catering and sous chef Aubrey Tillman, and Chef Steve Wilson from Wilson\u2019s Secret Sauce and sous chef Marialyce Ibach.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-185137\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage-2.webp\" alt=\"COY Collage 2\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage-2.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage-2-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2024-BBPA-COY-Collage-2-150x79.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A special thank you was extended to the K10 Kids Foundation, this year\u2019s presenting sponsor. Their unwavering support continues to drive the mission of Best Buddies forward, creating life-changing opportunities for people with IDD across the state.<\/p>\n<p>The funds raised during the Champion of the Year campaign will help expand Best Buddies programs, fostering friendships, jobs, leadership development, and inclusive living for participants.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe are overwhelmed by the generosity and enthusiasm of our Champions, sponsors, and attendees. Together, we\u2019re building a more inclusive community for everyone.\u201d &#8211; Kelly Bertolette, Philadelphia Area Director<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>We are already counting down until next year&#8217;s event![\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;22px&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Best Buddies in Pennsylvania Celebrates Inclusion at Champion of the Year Gala<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2080,"featured_media":185136,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"pa-single-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[529],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-185129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pennsylvania-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Philadelphia Champion of the Year - 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