Cleveland Jewish News
Photo: Bob Jacob - Cleveland Jewish News.

1,200 Walk for Friendship Circle in Ohio

About 1,200 people took part in Friendship Circle of Cleveland’s fourth annual ‘My Walk 4 Friends.’

Mother Nature cooperated to help make the two-mile walk up and down Old Brainard Road in Pepper Pike a success, as skies were sunny and temperatures were in the high 70s and low 80s. The walk started and ended on the Friendship Circle property.

“A wonderful cross-section of the Jewish community participated,” said Rabbi Yossi Marozov, executive director of Friendship Circle of Cleveland. “It was very energetic, with a strong sense of unity, and a great liftoff of our second decade of programming.”

“Take Flight 4 Friendship” was the theme of the event, the major fundraiser for Friendship Circle, which provides programs for children with special needs and their families in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs. Teen volunteers engage the children in social activities.

A highlight was the landing of a helicopter, owned and piloted by Patrick Finley, on the Friendship Circle grounds about 20 minutes before the walk began.

“The helicopter landing mesmerized children and adults alike,” Marozov said.

Finley, of Bentleyville, allowed children to get a closer look at the helicopter and to sit inside it after the walk.

There were also grand-scale remote-control airplanes on display, compliments of the Alliance Balsa Bees, and flight simulators for all ages to experience RC flight throughout the event.

Carnival rides, inflatables, face painting and other activities made it a fun day for children. The concession stand kept busy with sales of barbecued hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken wings.

Marozov said as of Sept. 1, $313,000 had been raised for the walk. Last year’s walk raised $260,000, and the goal this year was $360,000.

“We’re not finished yet,” he said. “People can still donate on the website for about another two weeks.”

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