Matt Leinart Bowls With Best Buddies Arizona
On Tuesday, May 12th, Best Buddies Arizona was afforded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bowl with Matt Leinart and his Foundation.
As a child of a mother who worked for Orange County Special Schools, Leinart is no stranger to the value of the Best Buddies mission which is to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendship.
25 of Best Buddies Arizona’s youth with intellectual disabilities were invited to Brunswick Via Linda Lanes in Scottsdale to bowl the night away with Leinart, his family, friends and teammates. The Matt Leinart Foundation provided each guest with an exclusive bowling party, a snazzy tee-shirt, and a gourmet Italian meal. All guests received a signed photograph from Leinart and spent the night taking photos with him. Best Buddies Arizona was honored to celebrate Matt’s birthday complete with cake and a touch of the “Best Buddies Cheer.”
Many individuals with Down syndrome, Autism and other intellectual disabilities are limited to social opportunities within their Special Education classrooms or with paid caretakers. While Best Buddies is typically the only opportunity to shift this social paradigm, it is important to highlight that The Matt Leinart Foundation not only observed this social exclusion, but created a much-needed opportunity for youth with intellectual disabilities to proudly socialize in the Arizona community at large.
Best Buddies Arizona’s participants came to the bowling event proud of Arizona Cardinals Quarterback, Matt Leinart, for his work on the field but walked away even prouder because of the genuine experience that they had with Matt—an experience where Best Buddies Arizona participants were truly viewed by an NFL star for their abilities rather than their disabilities.
Best Buddies Arizona thanks Matt Leinart, Ryan Leinart, Randy Williams and The Matt Leinart Foundation for their sincere interest in the Best Buddies mission and for creating a night that will never be forgotten!
Check out the news feature of the event from Good Morning Arizona!
