Event Proceeds to Support Best Buddies’ Mission of Inclusion for Individuals With Intellectual and Development Disabilities

Pacific Palisades, CA, May 9, 2023 – Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce its 6th Annual Best Buddies’ Celebration of Mothers presented by Cadillac honoring actress and advocate Holly Robinson Peete. This year’s celebration will take place Saturday, May 13th, in Pacific Palisades, California. The event will celebrate mothers all around the world, especially the incredible mothers of Best Buddies participants, paying homage to the gifts of love and friendship that mothers give to their children.

The 6th Annual Best Buddies Celebrating Mothers will honor Best Buddies’ Mother of the Year — Holly Robinson Peete, a phenomenal actress and passionate advocate for individuals with IDD. As a mother to her son, Rodney Jr. an individual with autism, Holly personifies the genuine love and resiliency that parents of children with IDD exhibit to ensure their children live meaningful, purpose-driven lives.

Actress and Activist Holly Robinson Peete

“I am incredibly honored to be Best Buddies International’s “Mother of the Year.” Being a mom of four has truly been a blessing and to receive this acknowledgement in celebration of Mother’s Day is a welcome surprise,” said Holly Robinson Peete. “Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Best Buddies and the work their organization offers supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is so needed. I am looking forward to their upcoming celebration of mothers, and to continue working alongside this outstanding organization.”

“Across the globe, mothers act as pillars of love, friendship and strength for their families. Mothers are an invaluable source of encouragement, and above all, they understand us like no one else can,” said Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO 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 and without her, Best Buddies would not exist. I thank her for her love, passion, leadership and faith in our cause. I am thankful for her enduring spirit which guides me in the work that I do today on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

This year’s event will offer delectable cocktails, lunch by Tiko, and a special live musical performance by actress and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Olivia Culpo, alongside her mother and brother. The Culpo family members are classically trained cellists, violinists, and pianists, respectively, and they will perform alongside Best Buddies Ambassador Marlana VanHoose, an acclaimed singer who captivates audiences with her powerful and soulful voice. Best Buddies’ Global Ambassador Cindy Crawford and longtime supporter Lyndie Benson will be joined by philanthropists and Best Buddies advocates to generate an even greater awareness to the organization’s mission of inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Celebrity guests invited to attend this year’s event include Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber, Kris Jenner, Olivia Culpo and NFL player Christian McCaffrey, Aurora Culpo, Sophia Culpo, Courtney Sixx, Garcelle Beauvais, Ashley Greene, Christa Miller, and Charlotte Lawrence, among others. Acclaimed photographer Brian Bowen Smith will capture all the special moments of the mothers and their children throughout the day.

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, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies^®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 47 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 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