Best Buddies International, a nonprofit that pairs one-to-one friendships between volunteers and the intellectually and developmentally disabled, hosted its annual ball in Miami on November 20 for more than 800 people. Held in two tents covering 36,000 square feet on Watson Island, the event took on an Americana theme to celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary.
“We’ve celebrated countries [Best Buddies has] expanded to in the past few years, so this year we thought we’d celebrate all the chapters we have here at home now that we’re in all 50 states,” said Best Buddies vice president of special events Scott Tracy.
Tracy worked with the Events Company, a Dallas-based decor firm, to decorate the cocktail reception and dinner tents from top to bottom in red, white, and blue. Entertainers and models from Joy Entertainment and Elite Model Management dresses as American icons—Marilyn Monroe, surfers, superheroes, cowboys, cowgirls—entertained during the cocktail reception and dinner.
Tracy staged a food competition among six local chefs, each of whom created hors d’oeuvres for guests to sample and judge. The chefs competed for the title of Peoples' Choice and Judges’ Choice, the latter of which was determined on-stage during dinner by actor Verne Troyer, actresses Maureen McCormick and Lisa Rinna, and Olympian Carl Lewis. Michelle Bernstein from Michy’s won the judges' award for her barbecue short ribs, and Sean Brasel from Meat Market won the Peoples' Choice for his Kobe meatloaf wrap.
Following the two-hour reception, guests moved into the main tent for dinner and the night’s live auction, led by the organization’s founder, Anthony Kennedy Shriver. For dinner, A Joy Wallace Catering, Production and Design Team put an upscale spin on American favorites such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.
Chris Brown served as the night’s headliner and took the stage for a 65-minute concert in the cocktail tent, which organizers transformed into a concert venue by removing the silent auction and food tables during dinner. In an effort to improve his public image, Brown donated his time for the night after previously approaching the organization to be the benefiting charity that would receive a portion of the proceeds from his current tour.
The event raised nearly $1.3 million for its programs. Audi, UBS, Ocean Drive magazine, Patrón, and 46 other companies and private donors sponsored.
