One of Masco’s most impactful clubs, Masco Best Buddies, has officially started up. They offer friendship and fun activities for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities that make a huge impact on their lives.

The Masco Best Buddies is a club determined to give kids with disabilities the same experiences as everyone else. Each year students volunteer to join the club and they’ll have one group leader per buddy that is responsible for scheduling activities. These activities try to give all kids the best high school experience possible. 

“Best Buddies is all about inclusion. Some kids don’t have that social atmosphere that they get from the inclusive classes,” said club advisor Kevin Carens. “This club allows  them to have friends and see the community in a different perspective from what they’re used to.” 

In October, Masco Best Buddies attended the Marini Farm Stand in Ipswich. It was a Halloween-themed day as the members of Best Buddies dressed up with their buddies. It was a fun and exciting day as they went through the corn maze and got food all dressed up in their fun costumes.

Best Buddies has mentors from grades 9 – 12, but the buddies can range anywhere from grades 7 – 12. Usually, the older and more experienced mentors are tasked with more responsibilities. Group leaders tend to be upperclassmen, but when seniors leave on internship, younger members take over. A leader was decided for each group at the beginning of the year to help lead the group while the seniors may be occupied with their internships. 

“I joined Best Buddies because I really want to make a difference and an impact in someone’s life who may be less fortunate than people that I get to be around often. Making those kids happy and giving them someone to hang out with and something to look forward to on the weekends just makes my day, and it was just an organization that I knew I really wanted to be a part of,” said junior club member Sam Richardson. 

Members of Best Buddies dedicate their time and effort to make sure everyone can feel included and have the same opportunities. For mentors, there is a careful application process, which includes an interview with leaders and the advisor. Accepted members then meet regularly with their buddies.  

“My favorite part of best buddies is being able to spend time with my buddy Matthew outside of school. We went to Marini Farm Stand and had so much fun in the corn maze and on the bouncy inflatable mat. I’m looking forward to continuing best buddies this year and next year and can’t wait for the next activity outside of school,” said junior club member Mason Harris. 

Best Buddies is one of the best and most impactful clubs all over the country and can change kids’ lives. The club will continue to go on monthly activities and grow a relationship with their new members.