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Like many friends, Kulveer Parhar and Lawrence Lam spend a lot of time watching and talking about sports. Kulveer is a self-described sports nut who “loves everything to do with a puck or a ball.” But, unlike most friends, Kulveer and Lawrence met through the Best Buddies program at the University of British Columbia.
Thanks to this involvement, the pair recently had the opportunity to go on “the trip of a lifetime”, as they were whisked away to Toronto for an overnight stay and to attend the Air Canada Centre as the Toronto Raptors faced off against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday February 7th.
 In December, Best Buddies launched a contest, giving its volunteers a chance to be flown out to a game and help sell 50/50 tickets. Kulveer and Lawrence jumped at the opportunity.
“Lawrence and I watch a lot of sports on television but we always hear that there is an extra special added element when you are physically at the game,” said Kulveer. “What makes this opportunity even more amazing is the fact that we will be able to fundraise for Best Buddies at the same time. We know how important a program such as Best Buddies is and the funds raised would make sure that it sticks around for a very long time.”
The pair spent the night at the Cambridge Suites Hotel and enjoyed some of Toronto’s  sites. While at the game, the pair helped sell 50/50 tickets, had to the chance to meet the Raptors’ Mascot, the “Superfan” Nav Bhatia and the team’s owner Larry Tanenbaum. They then watched the game’s conclusion from the press box at the Air Canada Centre.
The pair met three years ago, when Kulveer was a freshman at UBC. Upon coming to school, he said he “…was determined to become a part of my new Vancouver community. I saw a poster for Best Buddies and was immediately attracted; this opportunity was exactly what I was looking for. I was matched up with a great buddy  and we have been part of the program and friends ever since. Meeting Lawrence and participating with the Best Buddies program has provided me with the sense of community that I longed for. We both think that Best Buddies is one of the best organizations out there and are thankful that it gave us the chance to become friends.”
Kulveer and Lawrence were overwhelmed by the experience, and had a fantastic day.  “Best Buddies flew us out to Toronto, put us up in a beautiful hotel downtown, and gave us an amazing experience at the Raptors game! We are extremely grateful for all the work the Best Buddies team did in order to give us the trip of our dreams,” said Kulveer. “Words cannot express how much fun Lawrence and I had and how we were able to grow closer as friends on our journey.”
Check out their winning application.
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