March 11, 2024, Do you know a business that deserves recognition for hiring workers with different abilities? If so, here is your chance to recognize them.

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is seeking nominations for its 15th annual Night of Champions on Friday, May 3, 2024, beginning at 6:00pm at The Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island. The multifaceted event includes recognition of some of the area’s outstanding employers of differently-abled people, and the public is invited to nominate businesses for this recognition. 

Employee nominations may be completed online at https://ldssga.org/night-of-champions and will remain open until March 22nd.

 Meanwhile, the LDSS would like to stress that this event is NOT an empty table event and is more than an awards ceremony. It is an undercover hiring opportunity that celebrates the unlimited potential in every one of us. Night of Champions is a showcase for what can happen when employers are open to the idea of including differently-abled people in their workforce. Besides hearing the success stories from the honored businesses, attendees will learn first-hand about the rewards resulting from inclusive hiring. They can also leave the event with contacts of potential employees. 

“The Night of Champions is a wonderful opportunity for business owners and hiring decision makers to realize the unlimited value of having people with disabilities as accepted, belonging, and contributing members of their organization. It allows them to experience the real and lasting relationships that are created between people with special needs and their employers. As we like to say, they are NOT disabilities. They are DIFFERENT ABILITIES. And it is the differences that add cohesion and fortitude, and compassion, and joy (other options) to your team.” said Joe Marchese, president of LDSS.

The evening will include a recognition ceremony, a silent auction benefiting LDSS, and a cash bar. We’ll conclude the event with the closure of the silent auction and item pickup and the second annual Night of Champions Hiring Expo. Plan to stay for gourmet coffees and European desserts and to meet and mingle with past Champions and possibly even find your Future Champion! 

“The success of Night of Champions is directly tied to local organizations that create opportunities for people to demonstrate their desire to work and make valued contributions to their community,” Marchese said. “These Champions are littered throughout our community including a local quick-service restaurant owner who’s had great success since hiring a person for each of his multiple locations as well as a local physician hiring a young man with special needs who is still exceeding exceptions ten years later! We hope the achievements of these champions in the workforce will inspire more local organizations to take up the mission to light the way.” 

LDSS is seeking sponsors to support Night of Champions as it raises money to sustain the programs it offers throughout the year, including Camp Buddy for children with Down syndrome, its annual Buddy Walk in Forsyth Park, and its monthly support meetings for the families and friends of individuals with Down syndrome. 

To become a Night of Champions sponsor, donate an item for the silent auction, or reserve tickets, visit https://nightofchampions.org. Individual tickets are $100 and tables of ten can be reserved for $1,000. If you’d like to sponsor a past Champion and other guests, two additional tickets can be purchased at the time of reservation. If you’d like a past Champion to sit with you at your table, please let us know. For additional information, email [email protected].