{"id":175806,"date":"2023-11-22T15:27:34","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T20:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=175806"},"modified":"2024-01-19T12:37:42","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T17:37:42","slug":"best-buddies-honors-global-ambassador-tom-brady-at-the-25th-annual-best-buddies-gala-miami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2023\/11\/22\/best-buddies-honors-global-ambassador-tom-brady-at-the-25th-annual-best-buddies-gala-miami\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Buddies Honors Global Ambassador Tom Brady at the 25th Annual Best Buddies Gala: Miami"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”175815,175767″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]\n
Event raises $5 million for Best Buddies International\u2019s mission of inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities \u202f<\/em><\/h5>\n

Miami, Florida, Nov. 22, 2023 \u2013\u202fBest Buddies International<\/strong>, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), honored NFL legend and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady<\/strong> with the Spirit of Leadership Award<\/strong><\/em>, recognizing his immense contributions to the organization at its 25th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala<\/strong><\/em> on November 17<\/strong>.\u202fIn total, the event\u202fraised $5 million<\/strong>\u202ffor Best Buddies programs.<\/p>\n

The celebration of inclusion kicked off in the morning with the\u202fBest Buddies Challenge: Miami.<\/strong><\/em> The world-class 80-mile cycling event, led by four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome<\/strong>, featured a premium experience with a police-escorted peloton that guided riders through the best waterfront locations in Miami offer.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”175816,175817″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]The gala took place that evening, celebrating the Best Buddies\u2019 mission and honoring supporters, participants and volunteers. The event featured a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions and a live performance by three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

At the gala, Brady was honored with the Spirit of Leadership Award<\/em> and his contributions were acknowledged in a special tribute video<\/a> by several of his friends, including his buddy and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Katie Meade<\/strong>, celebrity chef and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Guy Fieri, <\/strong>former NFL tight end and teammate Rob Gronkowski<\/strong>, actor Matt Damon<\/strong> and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin<\/strong>. Brady has shown exemplary leadership and generosity, and for more than 20 years, he has served as an advocate, friend and dedicated supporter of Best Buddies, raising over $100 million.<\/p>\n

During his acceptance speech, Brady recounted highlights of his memorable partnership with Best Buddies and later tossed autographed footballs into the crowd in what was the most exciting fundraising initiative of the night. Brady also co-hosted the live auction of a \u201cTom Brady Golf Experience & Lunch at Indian Creek Golf Course\u201d with Best Buddies\u2019 Founder, Chairman and CEO Anthony K. Shriver<\/strong>, which raised $120,000 for the organization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing in our life that can be accomplished as an individual,\u201d Brady said.\u202f\u201cIt always comes down to who\u2019s in our life, who\u2019s supporting us and who our friends are. That\u2019s what the Best Buddies mission is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gala brought together some of Miami\u2019s most notable residents and celebrities. Special guests included Olympic gold medalist\u202fCarl Lewis<\/strong>, actress and model\u202fCharlotte McKinney<\/strong>, Miami Dolphins defensive end Christian Wilkins<\/strong> and Bouquet Box owner Courtney Sixx<\/strong>, among others.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor 25 years, the Miami Gala has recognized the inspiring and powerful community of individuals with IDD that we serve here in South Florida and our generous supporters who help make it all possible,\u201d Shriver said. \u201cMoreover, we were thrilled to honor our friend Tom Brady with the 2023\u202fSpirit of Leadership\u202fAward. There’s no one that I can think of that deserves this award more than him. He\u2019s been passionate about our mission and I\u2019m beyond grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proceeds will allow Best Buddies to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with IDD on a global scale.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”175813″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The following sponsors have demonstrated their belief in the Best Buddies mission through their generosity and commitment:<\/p>\n

Title Sponsor and Event Chair: Marc Leder \u2013 Sun Capital Partners Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Presenting Sponsors: Andrew Barowsky – Andrew P. Barowsky Foundation, Kenneth Griffin – Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund and Michael Rubin – Fanatics Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friendship Sponsors: May Liang & Jim Lintott – Sterling Foundation Management, Holly & David Meehan – The GEO Group Foundation, Donna & George Zoley – The GEO Group Foundation, The Tina and Richard V. Carolan Foundation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Employment Sponsors: Ron Haft – Dart Group Foundation, Tom Sullivan, Micky & Madeleine, Arison Family Foundation, Tatsiana & Andy Ansin – Ansin Foundation & WSVN.\u202f<\/strong><\/p>\n

To access event images, click <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

About Best Buddies<\/u><\/strong>
\nBest Buddies\u00ae<\/sup> is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated\u202fto establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living 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\u2019 11 formal programs \u2014 Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies\u00ae, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions and Inclusive Living\u2014 engage participants in\u202feach of the 50 states and in 49\u202fcountries, 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.<\/p>\n

Media Inquiries<\/u><\/strong>
\nJacob Pasternack
\nManager of Marketing and Communications
\nJacobPasternack@BestBuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Best Buddies honored NFL legend and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady and raised $5 million at the Best Buddies Miami Gala.\u202f<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2081,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[228],"tags":[1759],"yoast_head":"\nBest Buddies Honors Global Ambassador Tom Brady at the 25th Annual Best Buddies Gala: Miami - Best Buddies International<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Best Buddies honored NFL legend and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady and raised $5 million at the Best Buddies Miami Gala.\u202f\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2023\/11\/22\/best-buddies-honors-global-ambassador-tom-brady-at-the-25th-annual-best-buddies-gala-miami\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best Buddies Honors Global Ambassador Tom Brady at the 25th Annual Best Buddies Gala: Miami - 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