The Inaugural Best Buddies Queen Stage: Palo Alto Presented By Safeway Foundation Raises $2 Million For Best Buddies International

Event Proceeds To Support Best Buddies’ Mission Of Inclusion For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities

Group of cyclists and supporters gathered under a 'Best Buddies Queen Stage Palo Alto' banner at a charity cycling event, celebrating with raised hands and smiles, presented by the Safeway Foundation.

PALO ALTO, CA, April 15, 2025 – On April 11-12, Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), hosted the Best Buddies Queen Stage: Palo Alto, a charity bike ride, that commenced and concluded at the illustrious Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park, CA. The event raised $2 million for Best Buddies programs.

The event kicked off with the welcome reception on Friday, April 11 at the Rosewood Sand Hill, where guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner and a program hosted by Best Buddies International Founder, Chairman & CEO Anthony Kennedy Shriver that highlighted the achievements of the Best Buddies Global Ambassadors and key supporters. During the welcome reception, Best Buddies Global Ambassadors Joshua Felder delivered an inspiring speech, and Sasha Saunders, performed a song for the audience.

Four Best Buddies participants dressed in suits joyfully jumping in the air on a sunny lawn, celebrating at an outdoor event.

During the reception, Safeway Northern California Division President Karl Schroeder and Safeway executives presented a $395,000 donation to Best Buddies during a ceremonial check presentation. Safeway stores in Northern California, Northern Nevada and Hawaii, through its respective Foundation, collaborated with Best Buddies this year to raise awareness and funds at store locations in support of the organization’s mission. Collectively, the regions raised an impressive $395,000 for Best Buddies, which will impact the lives of thousands of program participants.

Group of people smiling and posing with an oversized $395,000 donation check presented to Best Buddies International by the Safeway Foundation during the Best Buddies Queen Stage event in Palo Alto.

“The Safeway Foundation prizes our longstanding commitment to our community partners, and Best Buddies is a great example of that relationship,” said Karl Schroeder, president of the Safeway Northern California Division. “We are honored to provide support to an organization that has been such a vital advocate of people with IDD. The amazing work of Best Buddies is an example of how we all benefit when society provides opportunities to those who are often overlooked or forgotten.”

On Saturday, April 12, cyclists, led by professional cyclists Alberto Contador and Cam Wurf, took to the start line at the Rosewood Sand Hill for a 70-mile route, which led them through picturesque roads to the breathtaking Skyline Ridge and culminated in the iconic Tunitas Climb, or the scenic 43-mile route, which showcased the beauty of La Honda Creek Preserve and finished on Tunitas.

First Image: Group of cyclists riding along a scenic rural road lined with yellow wildflowers, with rolling green hills and a purple sky in the background during the Best Buddies Queen Stage event. Second Image: Smiling cyclist wearing sunglasses and a medal poses with a Best Buddies Ambassador in an orange shirt at the Queen Stage event in Palo Alto.

Group of cyclists riding along a scenic rural road lined with yellow wildflowers, with rolling green hills and a purple sky in the background during the Best Buddies Queen Stage event.

Smiling cyclist wearing sunglasses and a medal poses with a Best Buddies Ambassador in an orange shirt at the Queen Stage event in Palo Alto.

The inaugural Best Buddies Queen Stage: Palo Alto presented by Safeway Foundation was capped off with a post-event luncheon and live entertainment, rounding out a weekend filled with camaraderie, comfort, and cycling passion.

This year’s Challenge sponsors included: Presenting Sponsor: Safeway Foundation; Golden Gate Sponsors: Hearst, Sutter Health; Pacific Coast Sponsor: E. & J. Gallo Winery; Official Bike Sponsor: Pinarello; and the Official Coaching Partner of the Best Buddies Challenge: California, Talansky Performance Group.

To access event images, click HERE.

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.