On October 2, 2026, Best Buddies in Kentucky hosted an unforgettable evening of friendship, inclusion and generosity at its annual Champion of the Year Gala. Held at Germantown Gables in Louisville, the event brought together community leaders, supporters and advocates for a night celebrating the power of connection and the importance of creating a world where everyone belongs. Through inspiring stories, meaningful connections and a shared commitment to inclusion, guests came together to make a tremendous impact on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Kentucky.

The evening was a record-breaking success, raising more than $222,000 to support Best Buddies in Kentucky’s mission. This extraordinary achievement reflects the generosity of the community and the dedication of the Champions, Mission Partners, sponsors and supporters who believe in a future where every person has the opportunity to build meaningful friendships, develop leadership skills and experience a true sense of belonging. Their collective efforts will help strengthen programs and expand opportunities for individuals with and without IDD throughout the Commonwealth.

A major highlight of the evening was the announcement of Drew and Amelia Krause, alongside their Mission Partner Kat Teston, as the 2026 Kentucky Champions of the Year. Throughout the 10-week fundraising campaign, the team rallied family, friends, classmates, neighbors and community members to raise more than $65,000 for Best Buddies in Kentucky. Their remarkable achievement demonstrated the power of bringing people together around a mission that makes a lasting difference.

Drew, a childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor and competitive swimmer, understands the importance of having a strong community and people who show up when it matters most. His sister Amelia, a talented dancer who performs ballet, tap, modern, jazz and Bollywood, is also an active member of the Sacred Heart Best Buddies Chapter. Best Buddies has been an important part of the Krause family for years, with their father serving on the organization’s Kentucky Advisory Board. Inspired by their own experiences and the power of connection, Drew and Amelia embraced the campaign as an opportunity to give back and help others experience the same sense of friendship and belonging.

Their Mission Partner, Kat Teston, brought 14 years of involvement in the Best Buddies community to the campaign. A Citizens participant, Ambassador and Advisory Board member, Kat is a passionate advocate for friendship and inclusion. Her enthusiasm for connecting with others and her infectious personality have made her a beloved member of the Best Buddies community. Together, Drew, Amelia and Kat combined their unique experiences, relationships and passions to lead an inspiring campaign that will help create more opportunities for friendship and inclusion across Kentucky.

Guests enjoyed an evening of celebration featuring a cocktail reception, dinner, silent and live auctions, and meaningful mission moments that brought the work of Best Buddies to life. The program highlighted the importance of building a community where individuals with IDD are valued, included and empowered to form lasting relationships. Every contribution, bid and show of support helped advance this important mission.

The funds raised through the 2026 Champion of the Year Gala will help Best Buddies in Kentucky strengthen its Friendship, Leadership and Ambassador programs, creating more opportunities for individuals with and without IDD to build meaningful relationships, develop their leadership potential and become advocates for inclusion.

Best Buddies in Kentucky extends its heartfelt gratitude to this year’s Champions, Mission Partners, sponsors, volunteers and guests for making this record-breaking evening possible. Their generosity and commitment demonstrate what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose. As Best Buddies continues its work across the Commonwealth, the impact of this year’s gala will reach far beyond one evening, helping create a more inclusive Kentucky where everyone has a friend and a place to belong.