Sam Prince, a Friendship Circle (FCNJ) teen volunteer who stole the show at the NFL draft on April 28 when announcing Kayvon Thibodeaux as the New York Giants’ first-round pick, kicked off the FCNJ Banquet on Tuesday, June 21.

The banquet took place at FCNJ’s state-of-the-art LifeTown center in Livingston. The annual gala celebrates the work of FCNJ, providing support for children and teens with special needs.

This year’s event honored Andrea and Philip Bershad, Marisa and Jeffrey Bershad, Erica and Steven Gendel, and Edward Zinbarg.

Sam Prince, 19, born with multiple congenital heart defects, started as a recipient of FCNJ services in 2006. After a heart transplant in 2011 at the age of 8, he shifted from receiving to giving and became a devoted volunteer. By age13, the infectious energy and charisma that won over the audience at the NFL draft was already on display when he had his first starring appearance hosting the 2016 FCNJ Banquet.

“The gala brings together the entire community of participants, volunteers and supporters to celebrate how much we have achieved together and to be inspired to accomplish even more in the future,” said Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, FCNJ CEO.

For more information visit www.FCNJ.com.