Best Buddies in Central Illinois Keeping Inclusion Alive For People With IDD During Social Distancing

Best Buddies Maskerade!
Best Buddies Maskerade!

During the most un-inclusive time of our lives, Best Buddies in Central Illinois is keeping inclusion alive for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities! And on Friday October 2nd, you can keep inclusion alive with Best Buddies and The Yard Peoria at the Best Buddies Champion of the Year “Mask-erade!” GALA!

Best Buddies Champion of the Year unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion. Through 8 weeks of raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies, our champions will generate countless opportunities for true friendship, competitive jobs, and valuable leadership development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois. The campaign will culminate with the inaugural Central Illinois Champion of the Year with silent auction, dinner, and dancing to celebrate the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!

There are currently 10 Champions from Peoria, the Quad Cities, and Bloomington Normal competing to be the Best Buddies in Central Illinois Champion of the Year! And October 2nd at the Trailside Event Center in Peoria, a champion will be crowned while following state and CDC guidelines!

Everyone is invited to be a part of this event! There are a limited amount of tickets for the in-person GALA and also a limited amount of virtual dining tickets. BUT, don’t let that stop you from joining the Zoom program on October 2nd to learn more and clicking here to check out some of the auction items currently available.

For more information, email [email protected]!

Mask-erade Gala October 2nd – Trailside Event Center
4416 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights, IL 61616
– Catering: Cracked Pepper
– Entertainment: Silent Disco

Virtual Tickets – only 15 available in Bloomington Normal and Peoria. One virtual ticket includes dinner for 2.
BloNo Pizza Co – (BloNo virtual ticket)
– Any app, 2 pizzas, 6 cookies, red/white wine (21+) – delivered
Untamed Chef – (Peoria Virtual Ticket)
– Stuffed Chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and sundried tomato asparagus
– Vegan option – Bourbon Cauliflower over orzo with asparagus
*Will need to be picked-up (Chardonnay included for 21+)

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

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