The 18th Annual Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port Sells Out In Record Time Thanks To Partnership With Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady

MIAMI, April 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Best Buddies International, a global nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce that its upcoming 18^th Annual Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port has sold out in record time, thanks in part to the support of Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady, whose nearly 15-year partnership has helped raise a cumulative $46.5 million for the organization! This is an incredible milestone in Best Buddies' 28-year history.

The Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port is a spectacular series of events taking place over two days from Boston to Cape Cod and includes a Tom Brady Football Challenge, and a charity walk, run, and bike ride benefitting individuals with IDD. For the past decade, Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady has served as the event's Honorary Co-Chair. This year, the Hyannis Port Challenge is expected to raise $5.5 million to support the organization's global programs in 54 countries spanning six continents.

"Tom Brady has served as an exemplary Global Ambassador for Best Buddies since 2003, and has helped bring an even greater awareness to the infinite abilities people with intellectual and developmental disabilities possess," said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. "Over the past 15 years, Tom has proven himself to be a relentless, committed advocate for individuals with disabilities, always going above and beyond the call of duty to help promote a world of inclusion and opportunity for this population. He truly is an unmatched asset for this organization."  

Tom first got involved with Best Buddies as a volunteer back in 2003. Since that time, he has served as one of the organization's most dedicated supporters and advocates. Tom's support not only helps the organization financially, but also in terms of building Best Buddies' brand awareness and promoting the organization's mission-based initiatives that create friendships, jobs and leadership development training for people with IDD. In total, Best Buddies has raised $46.5 million and served 11.8 million people with and without IDD, in part because of its 15-year partnership with Tom.

"It has been one of my greatest honors to serve as a Global Ambassador for Best Buddies," said Tom Brady. "This organization has become a part of my life. I love meeting the inspiring buddies at events, seeing their smiles, and hearing them talk about how Best Buddies has changed their lives for the better by helping them make friends at school and find meaningful jobs in their local communities. Best Buddies' mission is a simple one, but the impact is incredibly powerful. I am so grateful to be a part of this global movement."

Inspired by his charitable work with Best Buddies and the impact nonprofits have on society, Tom created his own organization called Change the World Foundation. Having served as one of the organization's most engaged and devoted Global Ambassadors for nearly a decade, Best Buddies supported Tom's diverse array of charitable interests, just as he has supported Best Buddies. Throughout the span of this partnership, Best Buddies has donated $2.75 million to the Change the World Foundation, a registered 501c3.

In addition to Tom Brady's work in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, he serves as a Best Buddies Global Ambassador and travels for the organization, hosting and attending national events such as "An Evening with Tom Brady" Houston Gala, which raised $832,952. Additionally, Tom has committed to attending the Masters Golf Tournament on behalf of Best Buddies in 2018, which is expected to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for our mission and global programs. Tom also connects Best Buddies directly with his sponsors and supporters such as Under Armour and UGG, host guests at football games, provides memorabilia, writes letters, makes phone calls and helps Best Buddies with its development efforts.

This dynamic partnership has been of immeasurable value for Best Buddies and has allowed the organization to create much-needed jobs and life-changing friendships for people with IDD all over the world, which has always been the goal.

Best Buddies is grateful for Tom Brady's unending support and proudly look forward to continuing the work to create a more inclusive world for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:

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 and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies has grown from one original chapter to more than 2,300 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies' eight formal programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org

SOURCE Best Buddies International

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