Paramus—The Friendship Circle of Bergen County (www.bcfriendship.com) will hold its annual NJ Friendship Walk on Sunday, September 18, 2016, at Votee Park, on Queen Anne Road and Court Street in Teaneck, Children and adults are welcome to do the one-mile walk and enjoy fun activities. The charity walk raises crucial funds and awareness for children, teens and young adults with special needs. Registration for the event is free and all those who pre-register will receive a free NJ Friendship Walk T-shirt.
On-site registration and pre-walk activities are at 10 a.m. and the walk will go from 11-11:30 a.m. The post-walk celebration and carnival will run until 1:30 p.m. and will include inflatables, bumper balls and other games, photo station, ice cream truck, trampoline show, petting zoo and face painting.
Individuals and teams are encouraged to raise funds for the non-profit organization but event coordinator Zeesy Grossbaum said the focus is on raising awareness of the support given to clients with special needs and their families by Friendship Circle’s volunteers. Online registration is available at www.NJFriendshipWalk.com.
“We expect about 1,500 people to participate and come have fun with our amazing community of volunteers and the families we serve,” said Grossbaum. “We’re looking forward to a wonderful day of festivity and unity.” Money raised at the NJ Friendship Walk will support Friendship Circle of Bergen County’s many enrichment programs.
Friendship Circle is a Jewish non-profit organization that provides outreach, programs and support to families of children with special needs. Through its inclusive approach, it brings together teenage volunteers and children with a variety of disabilities for fun and friendship, and creates an enriching experience for all involved. The Bergen County chapter helps more than 200 families with children ages 5 through 21. Its program offerings provide socialization and enrichment for clients, respite and support for parents or caregivers, and inspires area teens to share their talents and experiences with differently abled children. Approximately 700 teens volunteer with the Friendship Circle of Bergen County.
Last year, the organization launched a successful Sunday Hebrew school for special needs students; registrations for the 2016-2017 academic year are available at http://bit.ly/2aNIvwv. Classes, which are held at the Yeshiva of North Jersey in River Edge, begin on Sunday, September 11.
Area high school, religious-school or day-school students from seventh grade and up, who are seeking a community service project, are encouraged to walk on September 18 or get involved with the organization. Friendship Circle also offers several volunteer opportunities for adults.
For more information about Friendship Circle of Bergen County’s programs and volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.BCFriendship.com; to register for the fun walk on September 18, go to www.NJFriendshipWalk.com.
