A note from our State Director, Catlin Skufca

I recently had the pleasure of traveling to southwest Ohio for the Best Buddies Ball hosted by Hanover Reserve Wedding & Events. This celebration was a testimonial of the power of the inclusive community we are building in Ohio.

Three brothers, their wives, and five children opened a premier events venue, Hanover Reserve Weddings & Events, in 2020. One of those brothers, Brad, was a peer Buddy in the Best Buddies Friendship Chapter at Miami University in 2005. His time in Best Buddies left an impact on him and when he started the business, he knew he wanted to find a way to give back.

Current Chapter Leaders from Best Buddies at Miami University and Hanover Staff pulled together their local community and business partners to plan and host 300 guests from Best Buddies at a fabulous event on February 23rd at zero cost to Best Buddies. I am impressed by the incredible generosity of Brad and the community partners who made this special night a possibility. Let me tell you, this was no ordinary event! Everything was top-notch, from the food, beverages, DJ, photo booth, décor, dessert, and so much more.

Guests entered the venue on the red carpet and enjoyed refreshments. Before the dancing began, the current Chapter President, Kate Robinson, of the Best Buddies Friendship Chapter at Miami University, delivered remarks to thank the venue and vendors for their gifts. Kate invited me to join her at the front of the room. To my shock, the owners of Hanover Reserve presented me with a giant $10,000 check! Not only had they pulled together these incredibly kind vendors, but they had also asked for donations to provide us with money to continue the mission.

After our group photo, the party was hoppin’! Buddies danced to the electric slide, made a giant conga line, and did everything in between. I’m fairly certain a few of our members never left the dance floor!

I snuck away to talk with Brad and Connie Mehlman, Advisor Board Chair and former Host Site Coordinator for the Best Buddies Friendship Chapter at Miami University. We reminisced about how Brad called her last year, and he said, “Wait, are you still the same contact as in 2005?” Connie laughed and said, “Oh yeah, still me!” Connie, a pillar in the community, has since retired but vowed she would travel back to come to this special event. Brad worked with one of his partners, Melanie, to pull this event together.

I am so grateful for Brad and his family for taking the time to provide this wonderful opportunity for Best Buddies in Ohio. Your generosity is so appreciated, and your kindness will be repaid through expanding our mission of inclusion by opening new friendship chapters. As Best Buddies in Ohio continues to touch lives, it warms my heart to think how each small interaction builds toward achieving our mission. It started with a student getting involved in his local Best Buddies Chapter and now, 19 years later, 300 people get to bring the community together for a glorious celebration of inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

As I approach my sixth anniversary at Best Buddies, I hope that I can continue to convey our deep appreciation for people who get involved in our organization. It all starts with something so simple: friendship. Be a friend to somebody, and you can change the world. Also, you can have a heck of a lot of fun while doing it!

Special Thanks to the Donors, Vendors, and Partners for this Event

Donors: Hanover Reserve Weddings & Events, Telhio Credit Union, Bradley and Anna Barnes, Oxford Chamber of Commerce, Miami University-Chief of Staff, Reffitt’s Garage & Towing Service, Michael and Katy Betz, Legacy Post & Beam, Stony Ridge Enterprise Inc., Bayer & Becker, Michael & Janice Barnes, Ryan and Skiann Wyckoff, Dawn Orr, Rob & Katy Embry, Bob & Sue Drew, Robert Conley, Amy Fink, James Sebastian, Pamela Crouch, Paul Jordan, Kathleen Bolduc, Patricia Stephens, Tyler Minges, and Tasha Branch.

Vendors: DJB, Bella Rose Flower Company, Strike Your Pose, Lighten Up Pro, A Catered Affair, Homespun Sugar and Cakes, Custom Chair covers and Linens, Dolce Vita Photography, Lukes Custom Cakes, A&S Party Rental, Party Pleasers, and Zach Burnett Films.

Thank you to our partner, Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities, for coordinating and attending this event!