This year's race beneficiary supports a powerful cause: Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through friendship, leadership development, and inclusive living. For participants throughout the program, everyone has different needs, but the Buddy pairings bring equal fulfillment for both Buddies, like Sami and Brooke from Maine.
Sami often felt lonely, longing for deeper friendships. That changed when she met Brooke. Now, the two are inseparable, sharing adventures like spa days, shopping trips, and baking nights. "She answers my calls, laughs at my jokes, and always wants to hang out," Sami says. "I don't want her to go to college until I go."
For Brooke, the program ignited a passion for advocacy. She's now the Chapter President at Thornton Academy, takes Unified classes, plays Unified sports, and makes sure everyone feels included.
Since 2019, we've crafted all the course mile markers from large panels of recycled sail cloth. After the race, these banners will be transformed into seven one-of-a-kind totes, each signed by the professional athletes who competed as well as by Olympian, Joan Benoit Samuelson.
Beginning on race day, August 2, we'll auction off one bag per day on our website, with 100% of the sales benefiting Best Buddies. These totes are not only unique collectibles—they're symbols of endurance, community, and doing good through design.
Sea Bags is also donating 20% of sales from the Beach To Beacon Belt Bags and Essential Handbag to Best Buddies. Shop the Collection and bid today to support Best Buddies!
