Hampton graduate vying for Best Buddies state Champion of the Year title

A Hampton graduate is in the running to be crowned Best Buddies Pennsylvania Champion of the Year.

Abby Molinaro is competing in a fundraising campaign to grow awareness for the Best Buddies program, which she enjoyed for three years as a student at Hampton High School.

Best Buddies was founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For her campaign, the “foodie” Molinaro paired with Chef Justin Severino, co-owner of Lawrenceville’s Morcilla, to create a meal kit which can be ordered through Friday and picked up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 15.

Cost for the dinner box is $100, and proceeds benefit the Best Buddies fundraiser.

Meals for two are filled with gourmet goodies such as crispy smoked chicken wings with smoked maple Dijon, a “crunchy little gem” salad, baby back ribs with pomegranate sherry caramel and potato gratin.

Dessert is Molinaro’s favorite — a chocolate soufflé cake with pistachio butter and seat salt.

It was easy for Molinaro to let her passion for food drive the fundraising campaign. She’s been paired three consecutive years with Severino for the Best Buddies “Taste Buds” fundraiser through which a local chef joins a buddy for a night of food and fun, downtown at the Convention Center.

“Chef Justin is awesome, and we both love chicken wings,” Molinaro said.

Sam Civitate, Best Buddies director of development, said Champion of the Year features a select group of community leaders who turn their passion into action by rallying support for the mission of inclusion.

“Through their efforts, these champions will help to create countless opportunities for Pennsylvanians with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Civitate said.

Proceeds will support Best Buddies programs which impact more than 55,000 people across the state.

Hampton High School first started its Best Buddies chapter in 2017.

Molinaro’s mom, Lori, called it “an amazing experience through which students are paired with a peer to do things together throughout the year as friends.”

North Allegheny, Pine Richland and Fox Chapel Area also each have chapters.

Buddy pairs must have a one-to-one activity at least two times a month, in-person contact or communication via phone, text or email at least once per week, group activity at least four times a year and be matched with a buddy for at least a whole year.

“It aims to harness friendships and provide socialization opportunities for all students,” Lori Molinaro said. “The club is really beneficial for both the buddy and the peer.

“A shout out to the Hampton students in that all three years, they have had more students sign up willing to be a peer buddy than they have had students needing a buddy. It is really amazing and wonderful.”

Through the Best Buddies program, Molinaro has completed Ambassador Training and attended the Buddy Ball, which she said is “a great time to be silly, hang with friends and dance.”

In a post on the Best Buddies website, Molinaro said she appreciates the fundraiser support.

“Through Best Buddies, thousands of people with disabilities have successfully moved from segregation and desolation to a new acceptance in their family and community,” she said.

“In turn, Best Buddies has created a new spirit of public service for thousands of middle school, high school and college volunteers that will last a lifetime.”

Molinaro is vying for the state title against 20 other Pennsylvania champions. The winner will be announced Friday during the virtual Champion of the Year Gala at 8 p.m. on Facebook.

To purchase a meal kit, visit Morcilla.