David Caruso Honored at Best Buddies Ball
On October 28, Longtime Best Buddies supporter and CSI: Miami star David Caruso will receive Best Buddies International's highest honor, the Spirit of Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to furthering the Best Buddies mission of friendship and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
An active supporter of people with intellectual disabilities, David was introduced to Best Buddies by his daughter Greta, who was an active participant in her Best Buddies chapter at Yale University. Moved by the best Buddies mission of friendship and inclusion, in 2004, David joined Best Buddies International's Board of Directors. Since, David has participated in countless Best Buddies fundraisers and events, including the rides in Hyannis Port and Hearst Castle. In 2005, he rode 90 miles with Best Buddies Ambassador, Jorge Morilla. David's generosity and commitment to Best Buddies is unwavering, evidenced by the strength of his continued friendship with Jorge and his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty as a Best Buddies board member. Most importantly, David embraces our mission.
"People come and go in your life. What makes Best Buddies so special is once you find a friend, you have a friend for life. You start out with the concept of giving, and you really end up receiving. That's the great surprise," says David.
About Best Buddies International
Best Buddies ® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses 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 – will positively impact more than 350,000 individuals this year. Best Buddies also is systematically implementing our 2010 initiative that will witness the organization's continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute services to the community that equate to more than $70 million USD.
Even though Best Buddies has advanced tremendously in our short existence, many areas of the country and many regions of the world still lack programs to help people with intellectual disabilities become part of mainstream society. Our goal is to continue expanding nationwide and at the local community level, while more broadly engaging the global community through our programs.
Our Vision
People with intellectual disabilities are often excluded from society because of their differences. Best Buddies is determined to end social isolation for people with intellectual disabilities by establishing meaningful, lasting one-to-one friendships with their non-disabled peers. These friendships help increase self-esteem, confidence and the abilities of people with and without intellectual disabilities.
Best Buddies envisions a world where people with intellectual disabilities are so successfully integrated into our schools, our workplaces and our general communities that our current efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until that vision becomes a reality, we will continue to educate middle school, high school and college students, community members, corporations, and employers about the emotional, functional and natural needs and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
Our Mission
The mission of Best Buddies is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Our Goals
By 2010, Best Buddies will continue to build on its successful volunteer base in all 50 States, further expand its accredited international programs to 50 countries and annually engage more than 500,000 people worldwide. 
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Best Buddies Promotional Video