Our 3rd annual Champion of the Year gala was a tremendous success, and we are proud to announce Kendall Campbell as our 2023 Grand Champion! Kendall Campbell and Mission Partner, Katie Campbell raised over $44,000 to support Best Buddies programs throughout the state of Oregon.

Kendall is a ray of sunshine! Kendall and her whole family are dedicated advocates for inclusivity in educational and community environments. We are deeply grateful for their continued support.

Kendall Campbell was nominated for Champion of the Year by community members and accepted the nomination because of the huge impact Best Buddies has had on her family’s life and how they’ve watched Best Buddies impact the lives of those around them.

“So excited that we can return for our 3rd year at the Best Buddies Champion event. We had so much fun!”– Mission Partner, Katie Campbell

Kendall Campbell’s success was due to the subsidy of her and Katie Campbell‘s fantastic network of parents, peers, extended family, friends of friends, and many more who supported them on their mission for the Grand Champion title. It was indeed a team effort!

Best Buddies in Oregon is incredibly grateful to all the 2023 Champions and Mission Partners for their incredible efforts to raise funds and awareness for the Best Buddies mission of inclusion. The 2023 Champion of the Year gala raised over $105,000 in essential funds to continue growing Best Buddies’ one-to-one friendship and leadership development programs in Oregon.

About Champion of the Year:

Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders of inclusion. Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies over an 8–12-week campaign. Our Champions are advocates for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). At the campaign’s conclusion, we will celebrate at the Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala to honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!