This year Holmes Custom teamed up its efforts toward helping the nonprofit organization, known as Best Buddies, reach their annual fundraising goal. If you don’t know, Best Buddies is a “volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities”1. To help raise money and awareness they hold a walk in 53 different countries and every state in the U.S!
Our Holmes Cares committee got to thinking on how we could raise enough to help make an impact, and they figured it out in the most delicious way 
possible. On May 2nd, we gathered to share a holmie homemade spaghetti lunch! With pasta, meatballs, garlic bread, and cookies galore we got to feast for a cause. Each Holmie donated $10 towards our fund and in exchange got to devour a delicious meal. With full bellies and smiles, we managed to exceed our fundraising goal! We had a goal of $500 and just from our spaghetti lunch alone we raised $560. But like the dedicated holmies we are, our efforts did not stop there.
A few days after on May 4th, we put on our walking shoes and headed towards Jax Beach. The Seawalk Pavilion hosted 600 people who came to walk for inclusion. Starting off the event, we participated in a group stretch.
Then the awards were handed out, and we celebrated their impressive fundraising donations. From high schools, businesses and individual donors it was marvelous to see everyone come together to help reach a common goal. As soon as they cut the ribbon, we eagerly began our walk. We took a few laps along the beach and the pavilion. With music filling the air and the dogs playing around, it was hard not to have a good time. Once the walk came to an end, there were activities for everyone to enjoy. With a bounce house, a silly photo booth and Frisbee toss there was something for everyone. They even served delicious food, like pizza and donuts.
At the end of the day, everyone’s support was well worth it. Not only did our team surpass its goal, so did Best Buddies. With the help of our holmes cares team, the luncheon, and individual Holmie contributions we raised an encouraging $795! Best Buddies goal was 95,000 for the Jacksonville walk, but this event exceeded that number with a record $100,000! Our Holmies were glad to contribute! A big thank you to everyone who participated and donated towards our fundraising efforts. We look forward to doing it all again next year! In the meantime, you can follow us @HolmesCustom to keep up with our work in the community.
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