metro

Walk4Friendship

Annual fundraising event for Friendship Circle draws nearly 5,000 participants.

A

t the opening ceremonies of
this year's Friendship Circle
Walk4Friendship on Sept. 1,
Bassie Shemtov, Friendship Circle execu-
tive director, introduced Felicia Bowers,
who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheel-
chair. Bowers delivered her motivating
speech to participants using a computer
device targeted by her eyes.

The walk began at Friendship Circle,
and the more than 5,000 walkers had
their choice of a 5k or a 1-mile family
walk, both ending on the grounds of the
nearby Jewish Community Center in
West Bloomfield.
Attendees then participated in games,
played laser tag, went on horseback
rides, played in bubbles, sampled deli-

cious food and watched some incredible
entertainment. This year, the Chicago
Boyz Acrobats, semi-finalists (at press
time) on America's Got Talent, enter-
tained the crowd.
Channel 7 News Anchor Diana Lewis
served as emcee this year and was intro-
duced by Oakland County Treasurer Andy
Meisner.

Rabbi Tzvi Schectman sounds the shofar in
anticipation of Rosh Hashanah.

Friendship Circle has been providing
assistance and support for more than
3,000 families and children with special
needs since 1994. Most of the organiza-
tion's work takes place at the Ferber
Kaufman Life Town building on Maple
Road. This year, the walk helped
Friendship Circle come close to reach-
ing its fundraising goal of $600,000.

❑

Hannah's Heroes from Livonia pose on the steps of
the Berman Theater for a picture.

Volunteer Steve Hertz of Milford takes Tehila Zuroff, 12,
of Southfield for a ride on a horse named Chrome.

Walkers get under way near the start of the walk.

10 September 12 • 2013

Sami Jackson, 12, of Commerce sprays Joy Alekman of
Farmington Hills with some water after she finished the
walk.

Delia Bechmann of Commerce with her dog, Soup