Event Proceeds to Support Best Buddies’ Mission of Friendship and Inclusion

Malibu, CA, May 1, 2017 – Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce its inaugural Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch hosted by Best Buddies Global Ambassador Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber. The event will take place Saturday, May 13 in Malibu, CA.

This Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch will celebrate the incredible mothers of Best Buddies participants and mothers all around the world, paying homage to the gifts of love and friendship that mothers give to their children, especially the mothers of best buddies.

The Brunch will feature cocktails, live musical performances, family-friendly activities and an awards ceremony honoring three special mothers — Sharon Carlson as Mother of the Year: California; Mona Coffield as Mother of the Year: USA; and Michelle Ressa Aventajado as Mother of the Year: International. Acclaimed photographer Brian Bowen Smith will capture all the special moments of the mothers and their children throughout the day.

“For the past 20 years, I’ve had the honor of serving as a Global Ambassador for Best Buddies International, promoting the organization’s mission of friendship and social inclusion,” said Cindy Crawford. “I am honored to host this inaugural Mother’s Day Brunch with my daughter Kaia, celebrating mothers raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I’ve learned that the best way to teach my own children is by example and modeling the importance of giving back and extending yourself to others is probably the best gift I can give her. It is my hope that she will feel empowered to go out into the world and make a difference.”

“Across the globe, mothers act as pillars of love, friendship and strength for their families. We often think of heroes as beings with super powers, but in my eyes, mothers are the real heroes,” said Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. “My mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, will always be my hero. I would be nowhere without her unending love and guidance. My mother guided me in everything I did. She believed relentlessly in the power of friendship and without her, Best Buddies would not exist. I thank her for her love, passion, leadership, and faith in our cause. I am so thankful for her enduring spirit which guides me in the work that I do today on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

Host Committee Members for this year’s Mother’s Day Brunch include: Reese Witherspoon, Milla Jovovich, Jennifer Garcia Allen, Michelle Chiklis, Olivia Culpo, Minnie Driver, Vanessa Hudgens, Nancy O’Dell, Lisa Rinna, Maria Shriver, Lauren Potter, and Maureen McCormick, among others.

The Best Buddies Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch sponsors include: Title Sponsor David Yurman; Mother’s Day Sponsor’s Cadillac and Susan McCaw; Mission Sponsors A&E Networks/A&E, Blushington, Andrew Conrad, Randall Emmett, Monica Gambee, Guthy Renker, Evan Hainey, Nichole McGinley, Meaningful Beauty, Delores Pistacchio, Eleanor Randall, and Marilyn Rotter; Major Donors & Supporters Lyndie Benson, Brian Bowen Smith, Eva Guerrand-Hermes, Simone Harrer, Lisa Hilton, Kelly Meyer, and Jennifer Stallone; and Official Beverage Sponsors Casamigos and Perrier-Jouet.

For more information, please contact Mark Wylie, Vice President, Talent Relations, at Best Buddies International: MarkWylie@BestBuddies.org.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:

Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 2,300 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies.

For media inquiries:

Best Buddies International:
Nicole Maddox
305-374-2233, ext. 343
NicoleMaddox@BestBuddies.org

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