[NEW YORK CITY, NY] October 4, 2025 — Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan joined hundreds of participants and advocates at the inaugural Best Buddies Challenge: New York, a milestone event that united athletes, community leaders, and supporters to raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies International—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The Challenge offered a variety of activities for participants of all abilities, including a 100-mile ride from New York City to Glenmere Mansion in the Ramapo Mountains led by honorary chair and cycling legend Mark Cavendish. Additional routes included 36-mile and 15-mile rides, as well as a 5K run/walk. The event raised an impressive $6 million to support Best Buddies’ global mission of fostering inclusion through friendship, employment, leadership, and independent living opportunities.
During the event, Donegan met with Best Buddies participants and volunteers, celebrating their shared commitment to creating a more inclusive world.
Miss America proudly supports Best Buddies International, which serves individuals with IDD and their families through five mission pillars: One-to-One Friendships, Integrated Employment, Leadership Development, Inclusive Living, and Family Support. The organization currently reaches millions of people worldwide, empowering participants to form meaningful friendships, gain employment, and lead within their communities.
As Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan continues to champion service and inclusion nationwide—values deeply aligned with the Best Buddies mission. Her participation in the Challenge underscores the Miss America Organization’s enduring commitment to compassion, leadership, and community engagement.
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About Miss America
Miss America is the nation’s premier empowerment platform for young women, with service to community at the core of its impact. Participants pursue personal and professional growth while inspiring others as positive role models. With its mission of Empowering Women to Lead, Miss America is also the largest provider of tuition scholarships for women in the United States, distributed through the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization.