Crystal Brooklier, a longtime member of Oakland University’s Best Buddies chapter, was named State Champion at the 2025 Champion of the Year Gala on Nov. 14 after raising more than $26,000 to support programs that foster friendship, leadership and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Brooklier, who was born with trisomy 18 – a condition that resulted in developmental and health challenges – is the first OU representative to win the statewide fundraising honor.
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization that provides essential social opportunities for people with IDD through leadership development, integrated employment, inclusive living, and family support. Chapters exist in schools, universities and communities across all 50 states as well as 46 other counties. OU Best Buddies brings students together with individuals with IDD from the Rochester area for participation in social events, one-to-one buddy pairings and community involvement.
Champion of the Year is the organization’s largest annual fundraising campaign. Each fall, the organization selects champion candidates – community members with or without disabilities – from among program participants, who work from August through late November to raise money and awareness for the program. At the campaign’s close, each state holds a Gala with a silent and live auction, after which the top fundraiser is named that year’s state Champion. 2025 marked Oakland’s third year of participation in the fundraiser.
Brooklier’s victory, announced during the Champion of the Year Gala at Lovett Hall in Dearborn, followed months of creative local outreach efforts conducted by Brooklier, her family, and her own Buddy, Faith Peña. She was joined at the Gala by Peña, former Best Buddies at OU President and Champion candidate Payton Bucki, current President Maggie Quinn, and other friends and family who have supported Brooklier during both the fundraising period and over the past four years of her Best Buddies involvement.
“Crystal has raised more money than any of our previous Oakland candidates have raised combined,” Bucki said. “It really showed that Crystal can do whatever she sets her mind to.”
Crystal Brooklier’s sister, Kara Brooklier, is a neuropsychologist who specializes in neurodevelopmental disorders. Having supported Crystal Brooklier as a campaign manager alongside their mother and Crystal Brooklier’s niece, she said Crystal Brooklier embraced the competition with enthusiasm, particularly enjoying the campaign’s opportunities to meet people and promote the group that has supported her.
One of Crystal Brooklier’s most successful efforts came during the Arts & Apples Festival in Rochester. With help from her niece and sister, she held a bake sale for nearby festival attendees, raising $750 from passersby who stopped for the baked goods and stayed to learn about Best Buddies.
“Crystal was an intensely good ambassador for Best Buddies,” Kara Brooklier said. “She greeted everyone, shared what the program means to her, and did a phenomenal job.”
The family also visited stores in downtown Rochester to gauge interest in donations for the gala’s auctions. Their efforts secured items including a David Yurman bangle bracelet from Tapper’s Jewelry, a dental health package from a local orthodontist, and gift cards for businesses such as Detroit’s Soak Spa. Kara Brooklier said her colleagues in Michigan’s medical communities also contributed after she reached out through her network.
“A lot of it was connecting with people that we knew and sharing the mission,” Kara Brooklier said. “We got a beautiful response from physicians, psychologists and other professionals.”
The fundraising season concluded at the Champion of the Year Gala, where supporters from across the state filled the historic ballroom to place bids and celebrate the fundraising efforts.
“She was nervous, but definitely excited,” Kara Brooklier said. “When they announced her as the winner, she loved all of the applause and excitement.”
Quinn said Crystal Brooklier’s recognition reflects both her enthusiasm for the program and the impact she has had on OU’s community.
“Crystal just brings sunshine everywhere,” Quinn said. “She’s so deserving in representing not only Best Buddies International, but also our own OU chapter. I could not think of someone more deserving of the award than Crystal.”
Kara Brooklier expressed pride in Crystal Brooklier’s commitment to fundraising and the importance of the unique opportunity to see her shine.
“It was wonderful to celebrate the organization and all the joy Crystal brings to this world,” Kara Brooklier said. “We really appreciate all of the Oakland University students that get involved in Best Buddies and invest their time and energy into making some magic happen.”
As the semester winds down and OU Best Buddies prepares for a new semester, chapter leaders envision Crystal Brooklier’s achievement encouraging more students to get involved.
“Best Buddies impacts the lives of people with and without disabilities,” Bucki said. “Crystal’s story shows just how powerful that impact can be.”
Best Buddies at OU is always looking to raise awareness for the inclusion of people with IDD through their variety of social activities and programs. For more information and updates on events and campus involvement, visit the OU Best Buddies Facebook and Instagram pages.
