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Saratoga Student Nominated for Nonprofit’s Champion of the Year

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Madi Warmbier, a senior at Saratoga Springs High School, has been nominated as a Champion of the Year for Best Buddies, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Best Buddies will be hosting its third annual Champion of the Year Gala on November 22 at Brown’s Revolution Hall in Troy. During the gala, champion candidates and their mission partners will be recognized for the work they’re doing to create a more inclusive world.

“It’s important to me that everybody gets the opportunities they deserve, no matter their abilities,” Warmbier said.

Warmbier had previously been involved with the Special Olympics and unified sports before attending the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Indiana. This summer, someone anonymously nominated her to become a Best Buddies Champion of the Year. Now, she will be competing against seven other nominees to see who can raise the most money for the organization. Thus far, Warmbier has secured a number of donations from friends and family, as well as items that will be submitted to an auction. 

Warmbier has enjoyed the experience so much that she hopes to continue being involved in Best Buddies even after she graduates.

“I’m going to major in psychology and maybe a little bit of social work too,” she said. “Right now, I want to work for Best Buddies on the organization side, like planning things, because I just really love the organization.”

Warmbier is one of more than 1,750 students and adults that are participating in Best Buddies programs throughout the Capital Region. The gala on November 22 will raise funds to support and expand local programs, including the new adult-based Friendship Program.

Those interested in donating to Warmbier’s Champion of the Year campaign can do so here: https://www.bestbuddieschampion.org/albany/supporting/#madiwarmbier.

For more information about Best Buddies and the nonprofit’s local programs, visit bestbuddies.org/newyork.

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