The Best Buddies chapter at Knox College recently was recognized by the international Best Buddies organization as Central Illinois' Chapter of the Year. This marks the first time the Knox chapter has received the award.

The award is based on the chapter's mission, growth, and community involvement. The Knox College chapter is one of 15 Best Buddies chapters across central Illinois, stretching from Rock Island to Champaign.

Through Best Buddies, Knox students who are members of the organization develop one-on-one friendships with members of the Galesburg community who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Students are paired with residents of homes for people with developmental disabilities, and the Knox chapter of Best Buddies organizes large group meetings, one-on-one activities, and a range of organized events on and off campus.

Best Buddies is one of several student organizations at Knox that focus on community service.

Recent events organized by the Knox College chapter of Best Buddies include:

• Best Buddies Olympics, where Knox students and their buddies participated in a variety of sports and games.
• Best Buddies scavenger hunt.
• Best Buddies April Fool's party, which included a stand-up comedy competition and craft-making.

Best Buddies is an international organization that offers members opportunities for socialization, leadership development, and integrated employment, and it provides the necessary tools for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become more independent and more included in the community.

The Chapter of the Year award means that the Knox Best Buddies chapter will now go on to compete with other college chapters of the organization for the Outstanding Chapter Award during a leadership conference this summer at Indiana University. (Photo above: Members of the executive board for Best Buddies at Knox College.)