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THE

CHARLES
BRONFMAN
PRIZE

Special Event

Do you know a worthy

Friendship Circle to host
sensory-friendly skating party.

NOMINEE?

The call for nominations from around the world is open

NOVEMBER 1, 2013 TO JANUARY 15, 2014.

THE CHARLES BRONFMAN PRIZE celebrates the vision and endeavor

of an individual or team under fifty years of age whose

humanitarian work, combined with their Jewish values, has

significantly improved the world. Its goal is to recognize dynamic

humanitarians whose innovation, leadership, and impact provide

inspiration for the next generations.

An internationally recognized panel of judges selects the Prize

recipient(s) and bestows an award of $100,000. For information

about the nomination process, including guidelines and forms,

please visit www.TheCharlesBronfmanPrize.com

2004-2014

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF JEWISH VALUES MAKING A GLOBAL IMPACT

Jonathan and Jen Lovy with their children, from left, Evan, Noah and
Jessica

FOR
SALE

sorrillin

13

27522 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield, MI

_2 • J.,

27122 _

T

Purchase with or without microbrewery and cigar license

Jonathan Brateman
Properties, Inc.

Jonathan Brateman (248) 477-5000

www.bratemanproperties.com

QUALITY KOSHER

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TURNING MOMENTS INTO

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14

November 7 • 2013

JN

Lauren Toldaro

Special to the Jewish News

o plan the best birthday party
for her son, West Bloomfield
mom Jennifer Lovy contacted
the Friendship Circle with a unique
request.
Evan, who is about to turn 8, asked
for a roller skating party. However,
what seems like a typical request for
a kid's party had strings attached.
Because Evan has autism, he asked for
a sensory-friendly party.
For Evan, sensory-friendly skating
means no loud music, no dark skating
rink and no flashing lights. Because
these features are part of the ambiance
skaters expect from a roller rink, a
skating party was not a viable option.
"The Lovys wanted to give Evan
the party he requested so they asked
us to help them in a way that could
benefit not only their son but others
with special needs or sensory issues:'
said Bassie Shemtov, director of the
Friendship Circle, a nonprofit organi-
zation offering a variety of programs
and services to children with special
needs and their families.
On Sunday, Nov. 10, the Friendship

Circle will host the area's first sensory-
friendly roller skating party from
6-8 p.m. at BonaVenture Family
Skating Center, 24505 Halsted Road,
Farmington Hills. The event is open
to all children with special needs.
Admission and skate rental is $10 per
skater in advance or $13 at the door.
Skate trainers will be available, giv-
ing new or unsteady skaters something
to hold on to while skating. Parents
and caregivers do not need roller
skates to accompany skaters on the
rink.
More and more entertainment
venues are offering sensory-friendly
options for families who would other-
wise not be able to enjoy a typical fam-
ily outing, according to Lovy.
"Evan has been skating before, but
the loud music and dim lighting really
bothered him. After actually enjoying
a sensory-friendly movie, Evan asked
if he could have a sensory-friendly
skating party:' Lovy said.
Find registration and additional
information at www.friendshipcircle.
org/events .

❑

Lauren Toldaro is the assistant to the

director of Friendship Circle.

