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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Best Buddies nonprofit became the latest recipient of a big surprise from WSMV4′s Surprise Squad.

The organization creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“You get to meet new people like Hayden. I would have never met him unless I joined Best Buddies, and now he’s one of my best friends,” explained Sunset Middle School student Parker Woolery as he described his buddy, Hayden Waldram, to WSMV4′s Holly Thompson.

“Parker is my best buddy,” said 12-year-old Hayden.

“Nobody wants to be alone. Everybody deserves a friend,” said Abigail Hardage, Best Buddies chapter advisor and Special Education teacher at Sunset Middle.

“What we really aim to do is not only give my students with disabilities, give them equal social opportunities, but also educate all of our members without disabilities, educate all of them on how to be inclusive,” said Hardage.

Hayden and Parker were matched up one year ago in the Best Buddies program at Sunset Middle where their chapter won Best Buddies Middle School Chapter of the Year in Tennessee for the last two years.

From tackling a ninja obstacle course to shooting a basketball or trick or treating, Hayden and Parker have been learning the superpower of friendship.

“It’s helped Hayden grow in his relationship skills and his social skills of how to be a friend with somebody,” said Hardage. “It’s helped Parker learn about what somebody with a disability is like, somebody with autism and just how to be inclusive of that.”

“Friendship is this lifelong need that we all have, and we want to make sure that at any stage, that no one’s going through life alone,” said Will Macon, Best Buddies Tennessee State Director.

“We are privately funded and so we are scraping every year to hit our goals and be able to continue serving the people that we serve but also grow,” added Macon.

While serving 24 counties, Macon said there are 71 Tennessee counties Best Buddies has not been able to reach.

To help expand their program, the WSMV4 Surprise Squad surprised Macon with a $1,000 check, thanks to sponsor Bart Durham Injury Law.

“One of the things my dad told me that stuck with me is that the worst thing in life is loneliness, and so providing friendship that’s genuine for kids that can really use it, is just awesome,” said Blair Durham.

“Love Best Buddies, so happy and proud to be able to do it,” added Durham.

“Completely and utterly surprised and humbled,” said Macon. “This was a resource to get to hopefully bring Best Buddies to more people across Tennessee.”

In addition to forming peer friendships, Best Buddies helps with integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

For more information click here.