McLean Best Buddies hosted a winter meeting on Jan. 22 in the lecture hall, where members enjoyed games like winter bingo and treats such as hot chocolate and powdered donuts.
“The planning for today’s meeting was pretty simple. My fellow officers and I had a productive meeting a couple of weeks ago to plan out all the details,” vice president and junior Lucas Jones said. “We knew we wanted to do something winter themed because it’s been snowing a lot lately.”
Winter bingo drew enthusiastic participation, with members especially excited for candy prizes.
“The game night with board games was fun because it’s always about spending time with friends and putting a smile on peoples faces,” junior Arsen Hakobyan said.
McLean Best Buddies is a club dedicated to promoting inclusion for students with developmental disabilities, pairing students together and forming spaces for meaningful friendships.
“Best Buddies is a really nice place to socialize at meetings after school and have a good time,” Jones said. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my buddy and spending time with them.”
Looking ahead, Best Buddies is planning more holiday-themed meetings and will be participating in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Washington, D.C. The annual walk and fundraiser, set for April 26, helps raise awareness and support for Best Buddies in Virginia and D.C.
“I enjoy being in Best Buddies because I really like the sense of community it brings,” Jones said. “Everyone at the club is so friendly and fun to hang out with.”