Philadelphia, PA, Feb. 9, 2024 — Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is oftentimes a family affair.

This truth is perfectly encapsulated the friendship between Kelly MacGregor and Sarah Morris, who have been matched since September of 2023 in the Philadelphia Citizens chapter, which is part of Best Buddies in Pennsylvania. The duo, despite being adults, surprisingly became friends through a connection made in college.

This connection just so happens to be Kelly’s daughter, Meghan, who is the president of Duquesne University’s Friendship chapter. Kelly, upon seeing the impact that Best Buddies had on her daughter’s life, looked to get involved in the organization herself. She joined the Best Buddies Citizens program in Philadelphia, a program that pairs adults with and without IDD into a one-to-one friendship to foster inclusion.

“When I heard my daughter Meghan talking about the work she was doing with Best Buddies and the wonderful friendships they fostered, I knew I wanted to be involved as well,” Kelly said. “I reached out and after some time was matched with Sarah and am so thankful to have her in my life.”

Kelly and Sarah have since become close friends and spend time together at the mall or local bowling alley. They also recently celebrated Sarah’s birthday together at the Cheesecake Factory.

“She’s nice to hang out with, and I love going places and exploring with her,” Sarah said about Kelly.

Beyond creating a fantastic and long-lasting friendship, Kelly has also made her daughter proud.

“Best Buddies is something I am incredibly passionate about and would love to continue to work with for as long as I can,” Meghan said. “I am so happy that my mom is a part of the movement.”

To get involved in your local Friendship chapter, click here.

About Best Buddies
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, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. 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’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one 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 bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Media Inquiries
Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
Vice President, Communications
NicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org