Laura Georgelos Crowned 2021 Grand Champion of the Year
October 29 2021 – Best Buddies Southwest Florida is proud to announce it surpassed the 2021 Champion of the Year Gala fundraising goal by 15%, raising a total of $103,000 for its second in-person gala. Asthe top fundraiser, Laura Georgelos of Laura Georgelos Luxury Homes was crowned the 2021 Grand Champion of the Year for the local organization. The announcement was made at the event held onOct. 22 at the Spanish Wells Country Club in Bonita Springs, which also featured silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. Guest speakers included Southwest Florida Ambassadors, Julie Lyle and Courtney Sharkey, along with Nicole Coratti and Jennifer Denike who were the focus of the night’s Mission Moment as the first adult one-to-one friendship match in the Citizens program.
Prior to the event, thirteen Southwest Florida ‘champions’ raised awareness and funds for Best Buddies Southwest Florida, and generated countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We are so proud of Laura and all of our champions, who worked diligently to help us achieve our goal for the 2021 Champion of the Year event. Their collective efforts will make a tremendous impact on the lives of those with intellectual and developmental abilities,” stated Melanie Musick, Area Director, Best Buddies Southwest Florida. “The Southwest Florida community has wholeheartedly embraced the Best Buddies mission of inclusion, and we so appreciate the continued support from community leaders, business owners, residents and the families we serve,” she added.
In addition to Georgelos, the 2021 Southwest Florida participating champions also included: Matthew Boggan, Design MNB Web Design Studio; Edye Button, Cash Flow Strategies Business Coaching; Cody Eads, Florida Division of Vocational Rehab; Haley Marra, FGCU student; Kevin Montoya, Vera Bradley @ Miromar Outlets; Laura Morrina, Embassy Creek Elementary School; Alexis Poore, Publix; Sheena Reagan, Zimco Entertainment; Char Seuffert, Brightway Insurance, the Seuffert Agency; Mary Shea, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Lenny Cannova and Kristine Skaarsgard, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial; and Dre White, I Want That Yummy.
As emcee, Corey Lazar from WINK News teamed up with auctioneer Rick Gallo for the perfect combination of lighthearted engagement.
Event sponsors included: City Furniture, Conditioned Air, Cross Country Mortgage – the Wesson Group, Germain Lexus of Naples, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Moore Lending Group, PDQ and TruPixel.
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, leadership development and inclusive living 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 nearly 3,000 elementary school, middle school, high school, and college Friendship and Promoter chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 56 countries and territories, positively impacting the lives of over 1.3 million 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 independently, become inspirational leaders and build lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
