Philly Friendship Circle Competes for $50K

The Philadelphia branch of the Friendship Circle, an international network of Chabad-Lubavitch programs that pair teenage volunteers with children with special needs, is in the running for $50,000 to help pay for the coming school year.

Currently ranked sixth among 20 finalists in the Tom’s of Maine 50 States for Good national initiative, the Friendship Circle needs to finish sixth or better to receive at least $20,000. The winner of the vote-based competition will get $50,000.

“As long as we stay in the top six, we’ll get something,” said co-director Chani Baram. “First place of course would be ideal.”

Baram founded the Philadelphia branch with her husband, Rabbi Zev Baram, in 2003. Over the past year, their signature Friends at Home program – in which volunteers visit children once a week – has tripled in growth.

“We hope to continue to grow,” said Baram. “Our programs need a lot of care and attention from our coordinators, and the prize would help us pay for that.”

Votes in the competition can be made daily online by clicking here. The contest ends Sept. 13.