When Greene Road resident Molly Hodgson found out she received a nomination to become a “Champion of the Year” for the Best Buddies organization, she knew she faced a tough but meaningful challenge. The nomination is an honor, but it also puts on the pressure to raise as much money as she can for the organization she is so passionate about. She immediately knew who she could count on to help get the ball rolling: the Town of Greenfield.

Molly’s hoping her hometown could give her the competitive edge in the philanthropic competition because it is such a special place.

“Other towns in this region are not as tightknit as we are,” Hodgson said. “We are different here. Everyone is  friendly and we always want to help each other out. I knew it would be a good idea to incorporate Greenfield into my campaign.”

Hodgson said she doesn’t know of any other town that coordinates so many events and opportunities for residents to get together, help each other and get to know the leaders too. Hodgson explained that over her 18 years of living here, she has spent countless hours volunteering for the Recreation Department with events, even coaching youth soccer. She worked as a camp counselor at TOG Rec Summer Camp the past two years.

“There is always something going on that I can help out with,” she said. “The Rec Director is a mentor to me and I even have met the Town Supervisor a few times.”

Molly’s call was well-received, and Rec Director Jen Zeisler agreed to help Molly with her fundraising campaign and events. The first event, a Parents Night Out, will take place Oct. 10 from 6-8:45 p.m. Parents are encouraged to drop the children off at the Community Center and take a few hours to themselves while Hodgson and her friends entertain the children with games, snacks, crafts and even a movie (see flyer below). On Nov. 7, she will hold a “Dine to Donate” event with The View at Brookhaven. A portion of all sales that evening from 5-7 p.m. will be donated to Hodgson’s campaign.  Hodgson will hold a bake sale at the TOG’s Fall Festival this year as well. Other events and business outreach will follow.

“Molly is one incredible human,” said Recreation Director Jen Zeisler. “Her heart is enormous and her kind, positive energy is contagious. She is an inspiration to my own daughters and to all the kiddos in this town. We are so lucky she is part of this community.”

Best Buddies is an international organization and global movement creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Hodgson was introduced to the organization sophomore year after getting involved with the Unified Basketball program, where for kids with and without intellectual disabilities to play basketball together. There she met a teammate named Olivia Ebert.

“We became close really fast, bonding over things like television shows and a love for Dunkin,” Molly said. “She is spunky, funny and the most honest person I know.”

Hodgson said she then joined Best Buddies and became Olivia’s “best buddy,” which led to going on three years of special get togethers in and outside of school. Hodgson said she sat with Ebert every day at lunch for two years, until Ebert grew out of the school program. Even so, the pair still get together routinely. Ebert now is 21 and participates in Saratoga Bridges, a supported employment program for those with disabilities. Ebert has been working at places like the Stewart’s Shops plant, Hannaford, Saratoga Hospital and others.

The experience impacted both girls, inspiring Hodgson to decide she wants to become a pediatric occupational therapist, a healthcare professional who helps optimize function for people with disabilities.  Hodgson is applying to more than ten colleges this fall and credits her entire sense of academic direction on her involvement with Best Buddies.

“I love being a part of a movement that makes a difference to so many people,” Hodgson said. “My goal is to continue sharing this message.”

Hodgson said the Best Buddies Club at Saratoga High School is incredible to get involved with. Best Buddies gets together two to three times each month, attracting about 70 high school members. The meetings feature game playing, crafts and sometimes parties for different holidays.

“It is unlike any other club or organization at the high school because there aren’t cliques and no one feels out of place no matter their differences,” she said.  “There is no drama. I just love all the people I have met through this organization.”

Hodgson is an impressive teenager. She is a high-honor student who has twice received a “Blue and White Award” for academics and character. She recently was accepted into the New Visions program, a rigorous one-year program for college-bound seniors that includes an academic and clinical curriculum at Saratoga Hospital. She is a officer of the Best Buddies Club, serving and public relations coordinator and is a state ambassador for the program. She works as a salesperson at the toy store G. Willikers in Saratoga, at Greenfield Summer Camp, as an artist at the Art Bucket doing airbrush tattoos and hair decor at fairs and events around the region, and as a babysitter. Hodson also loves to ski and bake.

You can donate to help Molly win Champion of the Year.

• Link here to pay online
• Link here to Molly’s Venmo
• Write a check to Best Buddies NY. (it can be dropped to Town Hall to the Rec Department).

Hodgson will be recognized at the Best Buddies Champion of the Year Gala on Friday, Nov. 14 at Brown’s Revolution Hall in Troy, N.Y.  She is the only Saratoga High School student that was nominated. She will compete with seven other nominated people in the Albany region.