Livingston—U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) will be one of the guests of honor at this year’s Friendship Circle Annual Banquet, on Sunday, March 29. The senator’s dedication to improving the lives of people throughout the state of New Jersey is an inspiration to many and goes hand-in-hand with the Friendship Circle’s mission of bringing together children with special needs and teen volunteers for hours of fun and camaraderie.
This year’s banquet will be held at the future home of “LifeTown,” a 45,000-square-foot center that will redefine the landscape for people with special needs by providing recreational, therapeutic, educational and life-skills training facilities. The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception, followed by the awards presentation and a buffet dinner. LifeTown is located at 10 Microlab Road in Livingston.
Also being honored at the dinner are: Ilene and Lance Blake; Patricia and Kevin Cummings; Arlene and Michael Gordon; and Mara and Steven Simon.
The Blakes involvement with Friendship Circle began when their daughter Chelsea was a teen volunteer. As the president of Rotwein+Blake, Lance’s dedication to the architectural design of LifeTown is key to the project’s success.
The Cummings exemplify dedication to family and community. Kevin Cummings, president and CEO of Investors Bank, has led his company’s commitment to supporting community initiatives, including Friendship Circle.
Inspired by their daughters, Carmel and Sarah, who are long-time Friendship Circle volunteers, the Gordons are strong supporters of the organization. A partner in Gordon & Gordon Attorneys at Law, the couple is committed to helping make LifeTown a reality.
The Simons are involved with Friendship Circle on many levels. Owners of Consolidated Service Distributors, the Simons volunteer their time and their creativity, and make the Friendship Circle a very special place to be.
The Friendship Circle is a primary resource for families who have children or teens with special needs. Participants and their families benefit from a wide array of innovative respite, social and recreational programs. Friendship Circle’s distinctive approach of pairing participants with teen volunteers, motivates, inspires and enriches everyone involved.
The Friendship Circle is now creating LifeTown, a building unlike any other in the state. LifeTown’s focal point is “Life Village,” a simulated Main Street that will help prepare participants with special needs for independent living. Offering real-world scenarios in a safe and controlled environment, Life Village will empower users and allow them to reach their individual potentials.
For more information or to register for the dinner, call 973-251-0200 or visit www.fcnj.com/Banquet.
By Faygie Levy
