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Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 12:06:24 PM |
Best Buddies Challenge Cycling Fundraiser in Ireland
By Press Release
28 Feb 2006,
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| 100% of Rider Donations Directly Benefits Best Buddies Programs Worldwide |
Last week, Best Buddies International, in partnership with Best Buddies Ireland, announces the launch of the Best Buddies Challenge: Ireland, a premier cycling fundraiser that will be held on June 18, 2006 in Dublin, Ireland benefiting Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Funds raised will support Best Buddies Ireland.
Modeled after the Volvo Best Buddies Challenges in Boston, Massachusetts and Carmel, California, the Ireland ride will bring together celebrities, athletes and Best Buddies participants to ride a scenic 90 mile course beginning and ending in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Buddy Pairs – consisting of one rider with an intellectual disability and a non-disabled partner – will attend The Challenge representing Ireland, as well as participants form Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain and Sweden. The pairs will ride on tandem bicycles to complete, what will be for many of them, their first experience participating in an event of this magnitude and difficulty. The event will conclude with a private party and concert for all participants.
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| Anthony Kennedy Shriver and Christy Lynch at the launch |
Since 2000, Best Buddies Friendship Rides have raised more that $11 million (€9,111,355) for Best Buddies programs worldwide. This year’s goal is to raise more than €500,000 in Ireland.
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| Anthony Kennedy Shriver with Irish event coordinator Michael Usher |
To find out more about the Best Buddies Challenge Ireland, contact Christy Lynch with Best Buddies Ireland at +353 4543 1544, clynch@kareld.com
or Joslyn Matthews with Best Buddies International at +1 305 374 2233, joslynmatthews@bestbuddies.org.
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About Best Buddies International:
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,200 middle school, high school, and college campus across the country and internationally. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. We have accredited international programs on six continents; with additional country programs under active development. Our six formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies and Jobs – positively impact more than 250,000 individuals. Best Buddies also are systematically implementing our 2010 initiative that will witness the organization’s continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas.
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FACT SHEET:
Name: Best Buddies International
Founded: 1989, by Anthony K. Shriver
International Headquarters: Miami, Florida
Web Site: www.bestbuddies.org
Our Mission: To enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Vision: Best Buddies International envisions a world where people with intellectual disabilities are recognized for their abilities, embraced by society, and valued in the workplace.
Who We Are: Best Buddies® is the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted solely to providing opportunities for friendships and jobs for people with intellectual disabilities. Our 2005 annual budget is $12 million. Eighty-nine percent of all revenue goes directly to Best Buddies programs for people with intellectual disabilities, while only 11% is spent on administration and fundraising.
History of Service: Best Buddies was born when founder Anthony K. Shriver recognized that people with intellectual disabilities lacked opportunities to socialize with their non-disabled peers. Believing that friendship is key to building the self-esteem essential to a happy and productive life, Anthony incorporated Best Buddies as a nonprofit 501(c)(3)organization in 1989. Today, Best Buddies offers six programs: Best Buddies Middle Schools, Best Buddies High Schools, Best Buddies Colleges, Best Buddies Citizens, e-Buddies® and Best Buddies Jobs.
Participants: With more than 1,200 chapters around the world, Best Buddies positively impacts the lives of 250,000 participants with and without intellectual disabilities, as well as their respective network of family, friends, and employers.
Countries: Best Buddies operates accredited international programs in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates – with additional country programs in advanced phases of development.
2010 Initiative: By the conclusion of the present decade, Best Buddies aspires to operate program offices in all 50 States, expand our international programs to 50 countries, and impact 500,000 people worldwide each year.
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BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS:
100 SE Second Street/Suite 2200
Miami, Florida 33131
www.bestbuddies.org
Irish Contact:
Christy Lynch
+011 353 4543 1544
clynch@kareld.com
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