{"id":96142,"date":"2017-10-11T15:22:58","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T19:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=96142"},"modified":"2021-04-15T17:22:40","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T21:22:40","slug":"14th-best-buddies-challenge-hearst-castle-presented-pepsi-cola-raises-4-5-million-best-buddies-international","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2017\/10\/11\/14th-best-buddies-challenge-hearst-castle-presented-pepsi-cola-raises-4-5-million-best-buddies-international\/","title":{"rendered":"14th Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle Presented by Pepsi-Cola Raises $4.5 Million For Best Buddies International"},"content":{"rendered":"
San Simeon, CA, September 11, 2017<\/strong> \u2013 <\/strong>The 14th<\/sup> Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle Presented by Pepsi-Cola <\/em>raised $4.5 million for Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The event was co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom and Steve Hearst. More than 1,200 people participated in the Challenge\u2014a<\/em> charity walk, run and ride down the scenic coast of California.<\/p>\n The event kicked-off with the welcoming reception on Friday September 8 at the Hearst Ranch, where guest enjoyed cocktails, a catered dinner, and a program that highlighted the achievements of the Best Buddies mission and of the supporters. Several fundraising teams participated in the jersey contest, where cyclists showcased their unique and creative cycling kits. The contest was judged by professional cyclists Christian Vande Velde <\/strong>and Georgie Hincapie, <\/em><\/strong>along with three buddy judges: Champ Pederson, Julie Remillard, and Richard Nakai. The contest resulted in a tie between Team Silicon Valley Bank and Team Best Buddies Central Valley, which was settled with a dance contest. The winner of the dance contest was Team Best Buddies Central Valley, and the winner of the jersey contest was Team Silicon Valley Bank.<\/p>\n