BayToday Picture Play Gallery: Best buds dodge the ball

It was a day of friendship, pageantry and fun as the Nipissing University & Canadore College chapter of Best Buddies celebrated Best Buddies Month by hosting the 2nd Annual Best Buddies Friendship Dodge Ball Tournament.

“It’s all about fun and letting people know about Best Buddies,” says Emily Wills, National Best Buddies Program Manager.

The program matches students at the University and High School level with people with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships according to their mutual interests, and Wills says that Best Buddies groups across the world are celebrating the month.

“In Canada the groups are doing a number of activities ... a group is participating in a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Montreal, The Queen’s University group is going to the Science Centre (Toronto) and another group is going to a hockey game,” she explains.

“It’s all about awareness. We want people to see and be aware that they are part of society and that there is integration.”

Wills also added that she is impressed with how the Nipissing & Canadore chapter has developed local interest.

“It’s fantastic to see there has been so much growth since last year,” she states.

“Our whole mission is to meet up, have fun, and include as many people as possible.”

Proceeds from the dodge ball event will benefit the Nipissing/Canadore Best Buddies Chapter and the Ontario Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (OPWSA).