Best Buddies in South Carolina creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, employments, leadership and inclusive living. Raising money for students and adults over the globe with Down syndrome, autism and Williams syndrome, as well as many others. Best Buddies is one of the world’s largest organizations, and has helped, and is still helping, over 200 million people with intellectual and development disabilities, known as IDD.
American activist for those with IDD, Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded the larger organization, Best Buddies International, in 1989. Wanting to raise awareness and create one-to-one friendships for people with and without IDD, Shriver started with university students and inspired his college peers to help raise awareness. He inspired them to pair up and help someone with disabilities in their community. After many years, Best Buddies has grown into a global organization, with 50 countries across the globe being involved. Over one million people have been impacted by Best Buddies for the better and as awareness continues to rise, there are many more to come.
Along the way, Best Buddies has created an annual fundraiser competition to feature a group of individuals, professionals and community leaders called Champion of the Year. The Champion of the Year competition was designed to raise funds and awareness for people with IDD, with the group that raises the most money earning the title.
This year, a student and teacher from Spartanburg High School were entered into the Champion of the Year competition. 17-year-old Landon Gurganus (11) and special education teacher Hannah Land have been nominated for the title, where all funds raised will remain in the local community. Gurganus and Land are currently raising support through both awareness and donations to help the local community become more inclusive for people with IDD.
Land has always wanted to teach and help others, especially those with disabilities, although she also feels a sense of obligation to raise awareness on IDD.
“I also love teaching others how individuals with disabilities are incredible in every single way. I want all individuals to feel included and to be productive and successful members of their communities,” Land said.
When meeting her student Gurganus for the first time during what turned out to be the Covid pandemic, Land set a goal to teach him how to read for that school year. After he learned how to read, she continued to work with Gurganus as he faced various challenges. Gurganus and Land were nominated for the Champion of the Year of S.C. competition by Janie Thomas, who is the daughter of SHS Job Coach, Lisa Thomas. The two have been working hard ever since to raise awareness and funds for the program.
Gurganus is excited about this unique opportunity for the community to have an understanding of IDD and Best Buddies.
“I look forward to teaching others in my community about Best Buddies,” Gurganus said.
In an effort to help raise money and awareness for Best Buddies in S.C., the Teacher Cadets hosted a Hat Day and Best Buddies bracelet sale. This event on October 13 raised close to $375, thanks to donations from students, faculty and staff.
Teacher Cadet Allison Welch (12) believes that it is important for all Vikings to support each other, no matter what their differences or circumstances.
“It’s nice to know that we’re making an impact with something as small as a bracelet or a hat. Change starts small,” Welch said.
Best Buddies International has impacted so many children with disabilities, but it has also changed the lives of the volunteers that have helped build this program for over 30 years. Some of the individuals that became involved with Best Buddies as children received life changing skills that they now apply either as an employee or volunteer with Best Buddies. The volunteers that empower these children feel good about contributing to their skill set also by eliminating the stigma society places on those that have disabilities.
