SEPTEMBER 15 • 2022 | 19
F
riendship Circle, a nonprofit that
supports individuals with special
needs and those struggling with
isolation, addiction and other family-
related crises, celebrated its 17th annual
Walk4Friendship event on Sunday, Aug.
28. With record-breaking donations and
community turnout, this year’s walk was
the most successful yet.
The event surpassed its original
fundraising goal of $650,000 by over
$65,000, with donations totaling more
than $715,000. All the money raised at
the walk will support Friendship Circle
and allow the organization to continue
providing support through recreational,
social, educational and vocational
programming to more than 3,000
individuals and their families.
The theme for this year’s walk was
“Built on Friendship,” which represents
the foundation for everything Friendship
Circle does. Friendship Circle is
dedicated to creating a supportive
community that provides friendship to
everyone, regardless of their abilities.
In honor of this year’s theme,
Friendship Circle encouraged the
community to tap into their own circle of
friends and introduce them to Friendship
Circle and its mission. The Friendship
Circle community answered the call, as
hundreds of Friendship Circle families
and community members joined together
at Friendship Circle’s Farber Center in
West Bloomfield to celebrate the belief
that every individual deserves friendship
and belonging.
“The funds we raise at
Walk4Friendship are critical in
supporting all our programming,
which allows us to provide friendship
to individuals who need it most,” said
Friendship Circle Co-Founder Bassie
Shemtov. “This was a record-breaking
year, which wouldn’t have been possible
without our incredible corporate
sponsors, each and every donor and, of
course, our amazing Friendship Circle
families who never fail to support our
mission.”
The record-breaking fundraising
can be attributed to the dedication of
Friendship Circle top walking teams like
“The bELIevers,” who raised more than
$44,000 for Friendship Circle.
The event kicked off with an
inspirational opening ceremony hosted by
emcee and FOX 2 Detroit anchor Charlie
Langton. After the walk, participants
celebrated their success with food, family
activities, entertainment and more.
While this year’s walk is over, there
are still ways for interested individuals
to support Friendship Circle’s mission of
providing friendship to individuals with
special needs.
To learn more about Friendship Circle,
including volunteer opportunities, visit
friendshipcircle.org.
Submitted by Friendship Circle
COURTESY OF FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
Friendship Circle’s Walk4Friendship
surpasses its fundraising goal by $65,000.
Most Successful Walk Yet
Rabbi Benny Greenwald
and his daughter had a
great time at the event.
Family-friendly
activities followed
the walk.
Hundreds of families
participated in the
Walk4Friendship.