Champion of the Year Honors Six Leaders of Inclusion
BEST BUDDIES TO HOST NINTH ANNUAL CHAMPION OF THE YEAR GALA IN MINNESOTA FEATURING TOP PHILANTROPIC LEADERS
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2026 – Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce its ninth-annual Champion of the Year Gala in Minnesota.
Champion of the Year is an annual fundraising competition that features prominent business and community leaders contending to raise the most funds for Best Buddies, with the winner being named the Grand Champion of the Year. These leaders partner with program participants to raise funds and spread awareness for Best Buddies’ programs.
This year’s Gala will take place on Saturday, November 14th at Royalston Square in Minneapolis, and will celebrate the efforts of six philanthropic leaders from local communities while partying with a purpose to raise funds for Best Buddies programs. Emceed by WCCO-TV’s A.J. Hilton, the event will feature a silent and live auction, dinner, cocktails, a mission-moment speech from a local Buddy Pair, and a special awards ceremony to crown the 2026 Grand Champion of the Year.
The Gala Committee is once again chaired by Megan Melroe, Marketing Manager at Entrust who has been a committed Best Buddies volunteer and is matched with her buddy, Tasha, thanks to the Best Buddies Adult Friendship program, Citizens.
Minnesota’s Champion of the Year Gala aims to raise $420,000 to support and expand the one-to-one friendship programs, leadership development opportunities, and statewide inclusion initiatives for the more than 2,600 children and adults with and without IDD across the state.
The Kick-Off Party for the friendly fundraising competition took place on Monday, September 14th at Wooden Hill Brewing Company in Edina. Champions gathered with their top supporters, Mission Partners, and BBMN Gala Committee Members to share their passion for inclusion and friendship.
By securing a spot at the 2026 Champion of the Year Gala, you will be part of Best Buddies’ goal to expand more opportunities for individuals with IDD living in Minnesota. Visit www.bestbuddieschampion.org/minnesota/ for more event information and to purchase tickets. This year’s Champions include Sam Boime, Al Bunker, Jen Clements, Evelyn DeRock, Anna Elder, and Natalia Yurecko.
Gala Committee Members for this year’s Champion of the Year Gala are Sam Arnold, Danielle Dahlstrom, Katlyn Gross, Megan Melroe, Kailin Oliver, and Alicia Luther Toms. Best Buddies in Minnesota’s Champion of the Year is made possible thanks to the support of sponsors Neu Medical, RBC Wealth Management, Kathleen Blatz and Greg Page, and Federated Insurance.
For more information, please contact Kalli Dorwart, Development Coordinator for Best Buddies in Minnesota, at KalliDorwart@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, 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 www.bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Media inquiries:
Kalli Dorwart
Development Coordinator
612-460-7440
