Mountain Mayhem: Gala en Blanc for Best Buddies

Over the 4^th of July weekend, Best Buddies International hosted its Champion of the Year fundraiser at Hotel Jerome with the theme of a Gala en Blanc.

Founded in 1987 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver when he was a student at Georgetown University, the organization has been dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) since the beginning. He credits his mother — Eunice Kennedy Shriver who founded the Special Olympics for persons with intellectual disabilities — for encouraging him to give back, help others, and be a support system, which he continues to do today.

The inaugural Best Buddies Champion of the Year benefit raised $500,000 to support its efforts to unite and recognize leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide. The six champion candidates committed to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies, comprised of locals Anjuli DiMaria and Nicole VandeBoom (Best Buddies Advisory Board members), Ann Perlmutter and Alessa Oliver (incoming freshman at Aspen High School, Best Buddies Leadership), and Nick Ufkes and Lucas Snuffin (Aspen High School’s football coach and Basalt High School’s football coach, both of whom are disability advocates). 

The gala featured a silent and live auction, dinner, cocktails, dancing to DJ Pamela Tick, a keynote address from Best Buddies Global and State Ambassadors, and an awards ceremony. Students from Aspen Middle School also spoke, sharing the tremendous impact Best Buddies has created for the culture of inclusion in the valley.

Host committee members for this year’s Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala included: Event Chair Carla Maresca Eichler, along with Alicia and Daniel Adams, Jane Becnel, Chuck and Brielle Block, Jamie Levitt and CJ Burger, Marla Butler, Chequers Home, Lauren and Ryan Elston, Aaron King, Mandy and Andy Welgos, The McLaughlin Team, Amy Mottier, Kimberly and Scott Resnick, Shelly and Barry Rosenberg, Drita and Ricky Rosin, Skyline Estate Management and Gus Oliver, Michelle and Ken Stiller.

Title Sponsor R2 Partners and the Rosenberg Family were joined by Signature Sponsors Alicia Adams Alpaca, Jamie Levitt and CJ Burger, The VandeBoom Family, The Welgos Family, John Mahedy, Ben Silverman, Streeter Flynn Vodka and Gin, Snow Tequila, SipChanne, and Entourage Rose.

Next up is the inaugural Best Buddies Pickleball Smash Aspen this weekend on Sunday, Aug. 11, for players of all levels at Aspen Meadows Resort. Then the Best Buddies Breakaway Camp based at The Little Nell from September 4-8 for cyclists. Learn more at bestbuddies.org.