Best Buddies Miami Gala

USPA NEWS - The 20th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala is a spectacular event with hundreds of prominent locals and international guests gathering to celebrate Best Buddies´ mission. This year´s Best Buddies Miami Gala theme is Rock Legends!

Time and time again, rock legends have proven themselves as agents of change, much like Best Buddies. Since 1989, Best Buddies has grown from a single college chapter to an international organization impacting nearly 1 million people each year. The passion of rock legends is matched only by the guests at the Miami Gala. Each year, the Gala brings together Miami´s most notable residents and celebrities from around the globe.

“I am incredibly proud to celebrate the Best Buddies mission with some of our most dedicated supporters, participants, and volunteers,“ says Anthony K. Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. “For the past 27 years we have been fortunate to have the support of so many influential figures who have helped bring global awareness to our efforts and programs. Our Miami Gala is a fantastic way to thank and celebrate the achievements of our participants and supporters, as well as remind everyone of our mission and the importance of the work that we do.“

Each year, the Gala brings together Miami´s most notable residents and celebrities from around the globe: Best Buddies International´s Founder and Chairman Anthony K. Shriver and his wife, Alina Shriver; Actors Nolan Gould; Actresses Kate Flannery, Kelly Hu, Crystle Stewart, and Verne Troyer; Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber, Miss Teen USA 2016 Karlie Hay; Miss Florida USA 2017 Linette De Los Santos; and Miss Florida Teen USA 2017 Victoria DiSorbo; International Pop-Artist Romero Britto; and the evening will conclude with a special musical performance by superstar Kesha!

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 is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide.

Today, Best Buddies' eight formal programs “” Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters “” engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 900,000 people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships.