Best Buddies Ohio

02/27/2026

Tonight is the Best Buddies Ball hosted by Hanover Reserve Weddings & Events. They execute this event completely and collect donations to support Best Buddies. We are so grateful for their support! Now, LET'S HAVE A BALL! 🪩

We can't wait to see all the familiar faces at this year's Best Buddies Ohio Ball at Hanover Reserve Weddings & Events tomorrow! Thank you to all those who have made the 2026 Best Buddies Ball possible! Without each and every one of you, this memorable event wouldn't be what it is!

We would especially like to thank our 2026 Best Buddies Ball vendors and sponsors! This includes:

Co-Sponsor - Rik Saylor Financial
Platinum Sponsor - Steve and Alisa Miller & Miami University
Silver Sponsor - Reffitt's Garage & Towing Service, Auto Body Repair, LLC, The Main Look, The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, Lindenwald Kiwanis, Ryan and Skianne Wyckoff, Connie Mehlman, and Nikki Huber
Bronze Sponsor - Dawn Orr, Jake Chase, Maddie Kroger, Long, Schaefer & Company, Barnthouse & Cornett, CPA's, LTD, Noah and Lynn Goodwin, Jaclyn Hayes, You're Fired! Oxford, and Nathan Stanfield

AND vendors:

DJ - DJB Brian Wooten
Floral centerpieces - Bella Rose Flower Co.
Photobooth - Strike Your Pose
Appetizers -A Catered Affair
Tablecloths and Linens - Custom Chaircovers & Linens
Photography - Dolce Vita Photography
Dessert - Luke's Custom Cakes
Ropes and Stanchions - Party Pleasers Services
Donuts - Oxford Doughnut Shoppe
Red Carpet - Migoria

02/26/2026

✨ Special Guest Alert! ✨
We’re thrilled to welcome Miss Ohio Pre-Teen IMU, Autumn Rose May, to the Best Buddies Friendship Walk at the University of Dayton on 4/12!

Come celebrate inclusion, friendship, and community with us. 💛
👉 Register today: bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/Dayton

CC: Kiki Ware

02/24/2026

Celebrating Our Changemakers: Misha Keller is Leading the Way in Greater Dayton - We sat down with the Best Buddies Ambassador to learn about her time with the organization...

"I first joined the Best Buddies University of Dayton (UD) chapter in 2019, nearly seven years ago. My life before being involved in Best Buddies…I was having both mixed feelings about making new friends because it’s hard and feeling a lot more isolated from other people my age. I’m now a part of the Best Buddies at the University of Dayton chapter and also a Best Buddies Ambassador Academy for the state of Ohio. Now a key member of the friendship chapter in Dayton, I’m thriving and loving life."

Read more: https://www.bestbuddies.org/ohio/misha-keller-is-leading-the-way-in-greater-dayton

02/20/2026

🌟 Big news for Southwest Ohio! 🌟

Best Buddies in Ohio is thrilled to welcome THREE incredible new members to our Southwest Ohio Advisory Board! These local leaders are stepping up to champion inclusion, opportunity, and friendship for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Meet our new board members:
• Ryan Druffel, Director of Innovation & New Models, eCommerce, The Kroger Co.
• Lindsay Flesher, Employment Practices Analyst, The Kroger Co.
• Tammy Martin, Head of Total Rewards, HRIS, People Analytics & Payroll, The Gorilla Glue Company

Together with Chair Connie Mehlman (a 25+ year advocate!) and continuing member Kate Malo, they're helping us grow friendships, corporate partnerships, and programs across Cincinnati, Dayton, and beyond.

Southwest Ohio is buzzing with growth — serving 700+ participants through K-12, college, and adult programs — and this team will help take us even further! 💙
Want to get involved or learn more? Visit www.bestbuddies.org/ohio



Read more: https://www.bestbuddies.org/ohio/new-members-to-southwest-ohio-advisory-board-2026

02/18/2026

ALL ARE WELCOME to join Best Buddies in Ohio for an EXCLUSIVE training offered by our partners at Coca-Cola. The Future Careers Academy training provides career development advice, with an emphasis on sports-related jobs.

Link to register to attend this free, virtual training on 2/18/2026 at 6pm: https://forms.bestbuddies.org/4903690?eventId=a18UL00000XItG1.

Participants who complete this training will be entered in a drawing to win an epic Best Buddies Swag Bag!

02/16/2026

Chapter President applications for the 2026-2027 school year are open! One student must serve as a chapter president to have an official Best Buddies Friendship Chapter at your school! This student must attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference this summer.

Let us know if you have questions! BestBuddies.org/lead

02/13/2026

This Valentine’s Day, a few of our ambassadors wanted to share the love. 💙

Because of this community, they’ve found friendship, confidence, leadership, and belonging.

So today, they’re sending a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who makes our mission possible, simply by being part of it.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Best Buddies in Ohio!

02/13/2026

Christine can’t wait... and neither can we! See you at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on May 2nd at Marcum Park ✨

Register today: bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/cincinnati.

Ohio has four locations for the Friendship Walk this year! Find a city near you by commenting below or sending us a DM!

02/08/2026

💙 Volunteers Needed — Let’s Build Friendship Together! 💙

Best Buddies Citizens in Ohio is looking for volunteers age 25 years and older, with and without disabilities, who want to make a real difference through one-to-one friendship 🤝

Our Citizens program is all about:
✨ Genuine, one-to-one friendships
🎉 Fun, inclusive community events
💬 Meaningful connection beyond small talk
🌍 Bridging the gap of isolation that so many adults experience

By becoming a volunteer, you’re not just showing up — you’re helping create a more inclusive community where everyone belongs, and no one feels alone 💫
If you’re looking for friendship, purpose, and a chance to be part of something joyful and impactful, Best Buddies Citizens is for you.

📍 Franklin County
📍 Cuyahoga County
📍 Butler County
👥 Ages 25+
❤️ All abilities welcome

Interested or want to learn more? Comment below or send us a message — we’d love to connect!

02/05/2026

Best Buddies International has recognized Shannon Wilson, Senior Program Manager from Ohio, as the EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH for the entire organization!

Shannon serves our participants in Central Ohio. She works directly with students and teachers in our schools, our local host site partners, volunteers, and Citizens participants. Best Buddies in Ohio's State Director, Catlin Skufca, shared, "What truly sets Shannon apart is her remarkable ability to build deep, meaningful relationships with volunteers, participants, and families. She shows up for people, takes the time to know them, and makes every individual feel valued."

Shannon has grown participation in programs and frequently volunteers to take the lead on key programmatic initiatives in the state.

Congratulations, Shannon! Way to shine bright from the great state of OHIO!

02/04/2026

💥We need you!

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission. By giving your time and compassion, you help build one-to-one friendships, support inclusive activities, and champion a world where people with disabilities are valued for who they are, not defined by a diagnosis. Volunteering with Best Buddies is more than service; it’s a chance to advance inclusion, strengthen your community, and be part of a movement proving that inclusion changes lives, including your own. Volunteer Today!

Click here to sign up: https://www.bestbuddies.org/ohio/volunteer/

02/01/2026

Ohio ✈️>>Paris

Meet Olivia! An international model and inclusion advocate who travels the world, showing others that it’s okay to be different. She is also a Best Buddies Ambassador in Training for Ohio, and proof that inclusion belongs everywhere—even in Paris.💙

Thanks for repping Best Buddies across the world! 🌍 Best Buddies International