Thunder sticks bopped and students cheered as the Grandview Heights Bobcat decked out in a purple Best Buddies T-shirt hyped up the crowd for their annual Best Buddies Night at a GHHS Varsity Basketball game.

Each year, Best Buddies Chapter Leaders at Grandview Heights put together an awareness and fundraising night for Best Buddies. Students and community members buy T-shirts, cookies, raffle tickets, and spots for their halftime shootout game, all for the cause of inclusion for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

This event holds special meaning for Chapter Secretary Natalie Smith. Natalie shares,

“Being a part of Best Buddies is amazing. Being educated on inclusivity and ableism, while making friendships is amazing. It is also so heartwarming seeing the smiles on buddies’ faces.”

The atmosphere was electric as chapter members took the court at halftime to talk about Best Buddies and what it means to them. Students and families listened attentively in their Best Buddies purple attire. Attendees of all ages with and without disabilities fled the bleachers to line up for a halftime game to support inclusion.

Events like this aren’t just about one night of fun. Spreading awareness about inclusion for people with IDD has a broader impact on the school community. From Natalie,

“I think having Best Buddies at our school allows people to feel comfortable with sitting with people you might not usually or even as simple as saying “Hi” to someone in the hallway. Also, people become informed about this topic, which prevents bullying.”

Celebrating friendships with people with IDD at public sports events is what true inclusion looks like. Best Buddies continues to strive for school communities across the state to adopt this kind of inclusive culture.

As the Student Leaders quoted in their halftime speech, “There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more.” – Robert M. Hensel

If you are interested in joining Best Buddies, visit: bestbuddies.org/join or contact Ohio@bestbuddies.org for more information.