The Friendship Ball Was A Ball
by KEVIN CRONK
Best Buddies New Mexico
The Best Buddies Friendship Ball was the hottest Valentine's Day Ticket in Albuquerque
The Buddies led us in their rendition of Season's of Love
Photographer/artist Michael Barley and his wife Helen
Muareen McCormick, Cynthia Berkheimer and Mark Fields lead us in the "Bradt BUnch Theme Song" |
The First Annual Friendship Ball was held on Feb 13 to a packed house. The event featured Brady Bunch celebrity Maureen McCormick, TV Personality Jeremy Jojola, KISS-FM Radio Personality the Kandee Man and 285 guests.
It truly was the hottest ticket in town, but the stars of the night were the Buddies. They opened the night with a song from RENT- Season’s of Love, but adapted the song to Best Buddies making it “276,500 Friendships”! With over 30 buddies singing, it was AWESOME!
Buddies continued to highlight the night as Jamar McDaniels gave the welcome; Peter Lebow introduced Jeremy Jojola; Woody Lowe declared it was time to eat; George Hedricks talked about his experience at Leadership Conference; Abe Assaad gave his TOP TEN Reasons Why Everyone Should Support Best Buddies (and he was sure not to leave out the hot babes); and Jessica Bowens introduced us to the Chris Dracup Band.
But that wasn’t all, Actress Maureen McCormick Visited Albuquerque to be with us. She talked passionately about her brother, her relationship with Best buddies and most of all share her love of all our Buddies with us.
She invited Buddies Cynthia Berkheimer (who made sure everyone knew how old the State Director will be turning this month) and Mark Fields (who is a lifelong fan of the Brady Bunch) on stage with her and they led everyone in the Theme Song from the Brady Bunch!
Maureen was awesome in taking time to meet all the Buddies and their families as well as many guests. She stayed late into the evening dancing with the Buddies to great music from Chris Dracup.
And we also had a fantastic auction. Everything from sports to jewelry, home décor to getaways. A kitchen makeover from REMODELINC and United Stone Works went for $9400 to a very generous donor.
There was very beautiful jewelry from Silk Road Connection by Jill Sivage, Forever Southwest, Paladin Pearls, Deja Vu de Los Ranchos (which was made specifically for the event) and Karen Patterson. There was literally something for everyone.
Thank you to everyone involved in making it a HUGE success. Helen Mumford of Mumford Designs oversaw the silent auction set up that was FABULOUS! Route 66 Civitans were very helpful the day of the event handling check in and check out, thank you to Amy, Jennifer, Katie, Carol, Sylvia and Carol!
Planning has already begun on 2011- Feb 12 at the Pyramid, so save the date and join the fun. |
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