Thanks to YOU, the 2022 Best Buddies Friendship Walks were a HUGE success!! First of all, thank you to our amazing event partners Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Lincoln Derr, Forest Hill Church, CPI Security, The Ability Experience, Barringer Construction, Alliance Health, and Plumides, Romano & Johnson, PC!!

On April 23rd we hosted our first in-person Walk in the Raleigh area with more than 150 of our closest friends!! We exceeded our goal and raised over $11,200! Overall, it was an incredible day and only made possible by awesome supporters like you! Special shoutout to our top Team Sephora Stands NC/S. VA, JLL Disability Empowerment Network- Raleigh, Fourth Graders with Faith, NC State Best Buddies & HPU Best Buddies!!! Photos by Lizzie Warlick on our Facebook page.

On April 30th, we gathered for the 5th Annual Friendship Walk event in Charlotte with almost 400 of our community friends and supporters. Tommy Tremble, our Master of Ceremonies and his lifelong friend Eric embody the mission of Best Buddies!!  Eric happens to have Down syndrome but to Tommy, Eric is just his friend! Their friendship should be an inspiration to us all! We exceeded our goal and raised over $60,000! Nicole and David Tepper joined the party! Nicole announced that she will donate the $150,000.00 needed to launch the Best Buddies Jobs Program in NC through the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation!! This will truly change lives in our state. Photos by Lizzie Warlick and Leah Bochicchio of R.A.W. Pro Productions LLC. on our Facebook page.

Overall, both events were incredible and only made possible by awesome supporters like you! The funds raised by the walks allow us to grow more programs throughout the state and empower more friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Thank you for your continued support!

Tammy, Izzi and Kelsey
Best Buddies in NC Staff