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A Day of Smiles and Support
October 24, 2010
By Chana Kaminker
Livingston, NJ – 1,500 people turned out in Livingston on Sunday, October 24 to show their support for children with special needs and to help raise funds for the Friendship Circle.
Decked out in bright green T-shirts, the scores of participants gathered on this unusually warm October day at the 4th annual Friendship Circle walk held at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy. The Friendship Circle, a Livingston based organization, provides children and teenagers who have special needs with the many social and recreational experiences that would otherwise be unavailable to them and to provide their families with respite and support.
The participants at the walk chose between a 1 mile and 5k trails. The walk began with live music and a word from Mayor Arlene Johnson who expressed her gratitude “to the Friendship Circle and all the volunteers for promoting friendship and inclusion to all the children of Livingston.”
Many of the participants created teams to celebrate their family and friends with special needs. Debbie Prince walked with ten others under the team name of Sam’s Friends, in honor of her five-year-old son who has Down Syndrome. Together, Sam’s Friends raised $2,500. “We’ve seen Sam thrive with the Friendship Circle,” said Prince. “We’re so happy to be here to support them.”
“We’re so thankful to the Friendship Circle and their volunteers,” echoed Barry Goldberg, a parent of another child. “They have given my son so many opportunities that he couldn’t get anywhere else.”
Rabbi Levi Grossbaum, the walk organizer, was elated with the strong turnout. “The response this year was overwhelming,” said Grossbaum. “Not only from the families involved in the Friendship Circle, but from the entire community. They showed their amazing support through their participation and generous contributions.” He further explained that the funds raised at the walk will go towards developing and expanding sports leagues and life skills training for children and teens with special needs.
The day did not only leave an impact on the parents who have children with special needs, but also on the volunteers and their parents. “Today really brought everyone together,” said Doug Klein, a parent of two teenaged Friendship Circle volunteers. “The children, their parents, the volunteers; everyone showed up for a common cause.”
At the walk’s end, participants were greeted by a lively fair complete with a delicious free food, inflatable rides, petting zoo and a performance by the Flippenout Trampoline Acrobats.
For more information on the event please visit www.FCwalk.com
