Need the quick details? We have you covered! Here is a summary:

• We hope you enjoyed the fundraiser ideas we shared in November! For December, we are sharing a few event ideas 🎈 - scroll below to see more!

• Happy Holidays from Team Best Buddies in Georgia ❄! We are bringing the fun in with two December events this month. We hope you are able to join us!

  • Winter Festival on Saturday, December 14th from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at 1017 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 - Click HERE to register.

  • Holiday BING-GO with Kendrea Myles of Convivial K. Entertainment - Thursday, December 19th from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. via Zoom - Click HERE to register.

• We have TWO Back to Best Buddies events coming soon!

  • Back to Best Buddies Atlanta will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Microsoft Office, 200 17th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30363. You don’t want to miss this fun, in-person training experience to ensure that your chapter has a successful spring semester. Click HERE to register.

  • Back to Best Buddies Effingham County will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Middle School, 1100 Ebenezer Rd, Rincon, GA 31326. Click HERE to register.

• Are you interested in becoming a public speaker with Best Buddies 📣? We are excited to host our next Best Buddies in Georgia Ambassador’s Training on Saturday, February 1st at The Standard Atlanta from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., hosted by Miss Georgia South USA 2024, Irielle Duncan! Register HERE.

• We truly enjoy reading your updates and staying connected! Click HERE for the Chapter Check-In Form Link.

• Not an email person? Join our community on Remind to get updates there!

  • Faculty Advisors Remind Group - https://www.remind.com/join/764kgf2

  • Student Leaders Remind Group - https://www.remind.com/join/g8868e7

• Celebrate the end of an outstanding fall semester, and most importantly, have fun!

Looking Back and Leaping Forward: Happy Holidays!

As the year winds down and 2024 slows its crawl,
We pause to give thanks to you, one and all.
Faculty, students, and host sites, you’ve guided the way,
Bringing light to our organization in several unique ways.

With meetings, events and plans, you’ve consistently answered the call,
Inspiring connection, friendships, and growth for us all.
Through challenges faced, smiles made, and victories won,
You’ve shown what’s possible when we work as one.

So here’s to your kindness, your passion, your care!
Your dedication shines beyond compare.
May your holiday season bring joy and cheer,
And set the stage for another great year!

Happy Holidays from Team Best Buddies in Georgia! 🎁✨

Partying with a Purpose: Fun Event Ideas to Build Community

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Here are a few tried and true event ideas that can help build community in a fun way! Several of these are holiday-themed, but can be adapted for any time of the year.

1. Gingerbread House – Purchase a gingerbread house bulk set and have your chapter to create your own gingerbread neighborhood!

2. Eras Day – Students can dress according to their favorite era and have a fun party showcasing music from the different eras. Let the creativity roam free, and you have a fun event!

3. Sock Dolls - Sock Dolls are the newest craze to hit schools! All you need are three socks, a few crafts, and a pair of scissors, a needle and thread, and you have a fun event where students can make their own sock doll.

4. Holiday Party – A tried and true classic! Celebrate the end of a successful fall semester by hosting a holiday party complete with decorations, “ugly” holiday sweater contests, music, and a holiday movie.

5. Kindness Week – Express kindness for Disability Awareness Month/Spread The Word in March by incorporating daily activities like creating a banner to sign a pledge to use inclusive language, writing thank-you notes to peers/teacher, or creating a kindness chain display in the hallways.

   1. Kindness Rocks Project – Grab some paint and decorate rocks with uplifting messages to place around your school.

6. Best Buddies Day – Consider asking your school’s athletic department to allow one night to be deemed as “Best Buddies Night,” with some of the concession proceeds to go towards your chapter.

7. Best Buddies in Georgia Speakers – Consider inviting one of our Ambassadors to speak at your school! We have several members in our community, including Metro Atlanta Citizen members and author, Melissa Smith, who can read to your students! We also have partnerships with Miss Georgia South USA 2024, Irielle Duncan and Miss Georgia Teen, Carington Manous. Just let us know!

8. Arts & Crafts Fair – Showcase student creativity and talent individually! This could also work as a fundraiser as well.

9. Twining Day – Schedule a day where your buddy’s are twins and coordinate wearing matching attire.

10. Holiday Cookie Decorating – Grab some cookies, frosting, and sprinkles, and have fun decorating cookies.

Upcoming Events

Celebrate the end of the fall semester with a holiday party!

As you recruit new members to your Best Buddies chapter, host match party reveals, or a holiday gathering, don’t forget to make Best Buddies fun!

We have many resources on Best Buddies University and our Best Buddies in Georgia Chapter Toolkit, including match party ideas, recruitment items, training materials from LTD, and other helpful documents. For more questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Thank you!