Friendship Circle Walk Inspires Community

LIVINGSTON, NJ [CHI] — Last month’s surprise snowstorm wreaked havoc in the northeast. It brought down trees and power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents in the dark and cold for days. It also pushed off the much anticipated 5th Annual Friendship Circle Walk, originally scheduled for October 30. On Sunday, November 13, the walk finally took place, with a record number of more than 1,500 men, women and children, joining together to walk in support of children and teens with special needs.

The walk took place at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and was organized by the Friendship Circle, a Livingston based organization, serving families with children with special needs. The scores of walkers were decked out in matching t-shirts with the walk logo and the words “Givin’ it your Heart and Sole” emblazoned on the back. They were kicked off by live music and a word from Councilman Gary Schneiderman who commended the Friendship Circle for their incredible work: “Today, Livingston thanks you not only for what you do for children with special needs, but also for teaching our young adults how to volunteer in our community.”

Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, founding director of the Friendship Circle, commented on the huge crowd, despite the date change. “It’s so amazing to see how much of the community have come out to show their support. This is another example of how people have been there for the children with special needs and their families.”

The participants trekked down the 1 mile and 5k trails to raise funds for Friendship Circle’s many programs, proudly carrying hand-colored signs that proclaimed their team names, some in honor of their friends and family member with special needs “Sam’s Friends” and “Jaron’s Joggers”, while other teams represented various community organizations.

While the day was dedicated to the Mitzvah of helping others; hundreds of attendees put on Tefillin, received Shabbat candle kits and the children made their own charity boxes. The families who attended the Friendship Circle Walk were also treated to a lively fair complete with an acrobat show, rides, food and petting zoo.

David Goldberg, dad of 16-year-old Friendship Circle member Jaron, talked about moving to New Jersey five years ago, where he didn’t just find a community with the Friendship Circle, but a family. “When we got here, it was just my wife, Jaron and I, but through the Friendship Circle we have build out our family. My wife now goes out with other Friendship Circle moms once a month, and Jaron’s got Evan,” Goldberg said, referring to Evan Klein, a Friendship Circle teen volunteer who has been visiting with Jaron weekly for the past three years.

Debbie Prince, mom of 8-year-old Sam, described how her son recently received a heart transplant. “This is the first year Sam can walk, last year he was in a stroller,” Prince explained, “We’re so proud that we can be here to support the Friendship Circle and raise money for other children with special needs.”

“Take a look around at how many people showed up today,” said Doron Barness, another Friendship Circle parent, “The Friendship Circle have not only included these children in our community, they’ve showcased them. They’ve monumentally changed our community for the better.”

Lori Klighoffer, President of the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, spoke on the same theme of community development, “This is what community is all about,” she said, “We’re so proud to be a part of your accomplishment, and have a lot to learn from the Friendship Circle about reaching out and building communities.”

For more photos of the event, please visit www.FCwalk.com.