The 21st Best Buddies Challenge: California Presented by Safeway Foundation Raises $2.5 Million for Best Buddies International
Event proceeds to support Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
MARIN, CA, October 21, 2024 – On Saturday, October 19, 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), hosted its 21st Best Buddies Challenge: California presented by Safeway Foundation. The Challenge, a charity bike ride, commenced and concluded at the renowned Summit Skywalker Ranch in Nicasio, CA. The event raised $2.5 million for Best Buddies programs.
This year, Carl Guardino, vice president of government affairs at Tarana Wireless, and Karl Schroeder, president of the Safeway Northern California Division, served as the event’s honorary co-chairs. Both honorary co-chairs embody the true spirit of Best Buddies and deeply believe in the power of inclusion and meaningful employment to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals with IDD.
“The Safeway Foundation prizes our longstanding commitment to our community partners, and Best Buddies is a great example of that relationship,” said Karl Schroeder. “We are honored to provide support to an organization that has been such a vital advocate of people with IDD. The amazing work of Best Buddies is an example of how we all benefit when society provides opportunities to those who are often overlooked or forgotten.”
The event kicked-off with the welcome reception on Friday, October 18 at the iconic Summit Skywalker Ranch, where guest enjoyed cocktails, dinner and a program hosted by Best Buddies International Founder, Chairman & CEO Anthony K. Shriver that highlighted the achievements of the Best Buddies Global Ambassadors and key supporters. During the welcome reception, Best Buddies Global Ambassadors Jada Thompson delivered an inspiring speech, and Ryan Woodard, a self-taught musician, performed several songs for the audience.
The event kicked-off with the welcome reception on Friday, October 18 at the iconic Summit Skywalker Ranch, where guest enjoyed cocktails, dinner and a program hosted by Best Buddies International Founder, Chairman & CEO Anthony K. Shriver that highlighted the achievements of the Best Buddies Global Ambassadors and key supporters. During the welcome reception, Best Buddies Global Ambassadors Jada Thompson delivered an inspiring speech, and Ryan Woodard, a self-taught musician, performed several songs for the audience.
On Saturday, October 19, hundreds of cyclists took to the starting line at the Summit Skywalker Ranch for an 80 or 38-mile ride through Tomales Bay, Point Reyes, and the Marin countryside led by pro-cyclists Geraint Thomas, Alberto Contador, and Andrew Talansky.
The Best Buddies Challenge: California presented by Safeway Foundation was capped off with a gourmet lunch, wine tasting and live entertainment.
Top Individual Fundraisers
- Patrick Heron ($139,925.00)
- Carl Guardino ($137,425.00)
- Aaron Gershenberg ($28,360.00)
Top Teams
- Frazier Life Sciences ($316,960.00)
- Team Henry ($30,769.80)
- Team Gallo / G3 ($25,669.01)
This year’s Challenge sponsors included: Presenting Sponsor: Safeway Foundation; Golden Gate Sponsors: BODYARMOR – The Official Water & Sports Beverage Partner of the Best Buddies Challenge: California; Chevron, Hearst, Sutter Health; Pacific Coast Sponsors; The Coca-Cola Company – The Official Beverage Partner of Best Buddies; E. & J. Gallo Winery, Andrew P. Barowsky Foundation, Redwood Sponsors: Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Volvo Car USA: Official Bike Sponsor: Pinarello; Media Sponsor: San Francisco Chronicle; and the Official Coaching Partner of the Best Buddies Challenge: California, Talansky Performance Group.
About Best Buddies
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 bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Media Inquiries
Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
Vice President, Communications
NicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org