“If it weren’t for the most phenomenal organization The Friendship Circle, I wouldn’t be standing here tonight or worst yet, Effy, my dearest little friend, would never have been a part of my life. And I can tell you this much, my life has never been the same since I’ve met him,” says Sarah Eckstein a 10th grade volunteer of the Friendship Circle of the Five Towns.
The Friendship Circle pairs volunteers in the community with children with special needs. On May 28 they celebrated an Evening of Friendship, an evening to honor and recognize its members.
The event took place at The Jean Fishchman Chabad Center, with Master of Ceremonies Mr. Rob Kurtz beginning the evening. Five Towns Shliach Rabbi Zalman Wolowik shared a few words, and then 9 year old Shoshana Simon spoke about her experience with the Friendship Circle. She compared the volunteers to Har Sinai – who was humble. Mr. Benjamin Weinstock represented the City Village of Cedarhurst and presented The Friendship Circle with an Award.
Rabbi Matisyahu Friedman addressed the audience on half of the families. He expressed his appreciation for all the Friendship Circle volunteers have done for the community.
The highlight of the evening was the award ceremony were all the volunteers were called up on stage and presented with an award as well as a beautiful towel embroidered with the Friendship Circle logo. Volunteers that are graduating were given a handy arm band phone case.
Guest speaker Mrs. Chava Willig Levy enthralled the crowd with her personal journey. She’s a writer, editor and lecturer who zips around in a motorized wheelchair to shatter stereotypes about people with disabilities, enabling people to view disability with pride, not prejudice.
“When you join the Friendship Circle, you’re part of a really large community and you feel that you’re not alone, and you feel supported and loved,” says Mrs. H. “I think it’s all about making the world a kinder place that’s more accepting of diversity and it happens one person at a time.”
To help support the Friendship Circle, so we can continue to offer and expand our programs please consider making a donation at www.fc5towns.com/fcdonate
For more information to join, volunteer or get involved call 516-295-2478 *13 or visit www.fc5towns.com
YAY UNCLE ZALMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
amazing Job
sara eckstein and prager you r awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 (just letting u know… 😉
I <3 YOU!!
Yay! Go sara eckstein, chana and sara preger! You guys rock!
I never met an individual so graceful and poised as Ms. Sarah Eckstein. I hope one day my children grow up to be just like her.
What an amazing young lady.
Keep up your great work, we are all so proud of you.
Go Mushky Levitin!!!