On Oct. 30, Vice President Brad Denney, Assistant Project Manager Stefanie Cooke, Assistant Project Manager Dave Grattan, and Sr. Project Engineer Evan To took on the 2021 Best Buddies Challenge: California, a 62.1-mile bike ride outside Petaluma that supports Best Buddies and its mission by raising funds and spreading awareness.

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According to the Best Buddies website, Best Buddies International is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies’ programs help people with IDD form meaningful friendships with peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, and much more.

“Several Webcor employees have had and currently have friends and family members with IDD, so our participation has a direct impact on our Webcor community,” Brad notes. “John Bowles, our former Chief Legal Officer who spent his entire career with Webcor, got us involved with Best Buddies several years ago.”

Webcor’s Cycling Team raised nearly $20,000 for Best Buddies by organizing an internal “DIY” bike challenge in September to encourage all interested participants, as Best Buddies limits the number of spots at the official event based on the amount of funds raised. This year, Webcor raised enough money to send four employees off to last month’s Challenge.

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Participants appreciated the opportunity the Challenge provided to connect with one another outside of work while fundraising for a cause that aligns closely with Webcor’s core values — particularly Community and Bold.

“This is an event that aims to ‘establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD),’” says Stefanie. “I am proud that Webcor participates and supports this mission, which clearly aligns with our Community value. I was excited to show my support again and help fundraise for this great cause. I particularly enjoyed meeting some of the ‘buddies’ and getting to know them better.”

“I also see the event aligning with our Bold value, as Webcorians are challenging themselves to a complete a long ride requiring a physical aspect that cannot be ignored,” she continues. “A number of training rides are set up beforehand, and we start preparing months before the event.”

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After learning about Webcor’s involvement with the Best Buddies Challenge during Webcor Cycling Team rides, Dave joined an official Best Buddies training event in Napa that inspired him to ride in October’s Best Buddies Challenge.

“It was a great opportunity to ride alongside some of the world's best professional cyclists,” he says. “The event was also grounded with reminders of the good work done by the organization. The result is a wonderful experience. I commented more than once on the beautiful day despite the grey, soggy weather. We saw firsthand the impact of Best Buddies, as several program participants spoke to the riders about their experience with the organization. I’m looking forward to continuing Webcor’s tradition of supporting Best Buddies next year!”

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Interested in joining next year’s Best Buddies Challenge? Learn more here.