Highland Park Buddy Ball

All photography provided by Reiko Schnetzer

Highland Park (HP) Buddy Ball was founded and started operations in the Spring of 2009 by Harry Landis and his family. Based upon other Buddy Ball programs, HP Buddy Ball has a simple mission. That is, to give all children an opportunity to play sports regardless of physical or mental disabilities. 

At HPBB, children with disabilities (Buddies) are matched with Middle and High School student athletes (PALS) to learn and play soccer in the Fall and basketball in the Spring. The PALS gain as much from the program as the Buddies and often develop relationships between families. 

Buddy Ball has become part of the fabric of Highland Park.