Oahu Teens To Make A New BFF

By Michael McCormick
Wednesday - December 09, 2009 Share

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By Michael McCormick, State Director
Best Buddies Hawaii

Best Buddies International (BBI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver at Georgetown University. His childhood was spent watching his parents create the Special Olympics, Headstart, VISTA, Job Corps and other life-changing programs. Recognizing the tremendous volunteer potential of students, Shriver inspired his college peers to personally collaborate in expanding the realm of opportunities that people with intellectual disabilities should experience.

Best Buddies’ mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. It is now in 50 states and 44 countries and will positively impact more than 450,000 individuals this year through programs that include Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies and Jobs.

Best Buddies Hawaii (BBHI) was started in July 2008 and wishes to enhance and enrich the lives of Hawaii students with intellectual disabilities, permitting them to become integrated members of the society at large. The highly successful programs on Maui plan expanding to Oahu, and BBHI is seeking support for these programs. Visit http://www.bestbuddieshawaii.org.

Emilio Mark and his peer buddy Justine Castillo on a visit to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office in Washington, D.C.

Actress Maureen McCormick of Brady Bunch fame is an advocate for Best Buddies Hawaii. She will be on Oahu Dec. 11-14 fundraising for BBH. At 4 p.m. Friday, McCormick will be at the Borders store in Ward Centre; at Borders Pearlridge Center at noon, then at Borders Waikele at 4 p.m. Saturday; and at the Borders Windward Mall at noon Sunday. She’ll be at these Borders autographing her new paperback, Here’s the Story. Proceeds are being donated by McCormick and Borders to benefit Best Buddies Hawaii.

McCormick also is having a party at the Outrigger Reef Hotel in Waikiki from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13 to benefit BBHI, and the public is invited to attend. Those attending will receive a free autographed copy of her best-selling hardcover, and very special Brady Bunch memorabilia will be given away. Tickets are $60 and include pupus and refreshments. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel at 923-3111.

Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.