Friendship Circle Annual Banquet: Filled With Joy, Laughter, Hope

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun 09, 2009 -
CONTACTS:
Eli Laber                                  
The Friendship Circle            
818-865-2233               
818-422-4770 (cell)               
elaber@gmail.com         

Diane Rumbaugh
Rumbaugh Public Relations
805-493-2877
rumbaugh@earthlink.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   June 9, 2009

Friendship Circle Annual Banquet: Filled With
Joy, Laughter, Hope

   AGOURA HILLS, CALIF.--"Moving," "inspirational," "special" and "inclusive" were some of the adjectives to describe the Friendship Circle Annual Banquet, held at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel. More than 250 guests came to honor the contributions of teenage volunteers and their work with special needs children and their families. The evening also included a video presentation of this year's Friendship Walk, which attracted more than 1,200 people and raised funds to help support Friendship Circle programs.

    The teen volunteers have given more than 8,600 hours of friendship and support this past year. In addition to being a source of comfort and companionship to children and families, the teen volunteers reap the vast rewards derived from giving of themselves.  

   Courtney Frohelig and Becca Hirsch are teen volunteers and Friendship Circle presidents. “I speak on behalf of all the teens in the program. We get so much more than we give," says Hirsch. "You can’t ask for any greater reward than the love we get in return from these very special angels--the children of the friendship circle.”  

   Says Frohelig, “I see the Friendship Circle as a way to give these children opportunities to excel in areas they would otherwise never think to explore while creating an environment of encouragement, unconditional love and support. It is my hope that a changing attitude towards disabilities may foster a new wave of thriving individuals who can succeed on their own terms in their own element, and with programs like the Friendship Circle, we are well on our way.”  

   The highlight of the evening was a Friendship Circle children presentation. “For awhile I did not have many friends and no one wanted to play with me," says Noah David, age 8, who participates in Friendship Circle activities. "With the Friendship Circle, I feel at home. I feel comfortable and happy. And there is always someone who wants to play with me.”  

   Jamy Auerbach, age 8, and Jonah Felton, age 11, took the stage and wowed the crowd with their own rendition of Bach. The children learned how to play the piano at the Friendship Circles' “Making Music” program.

   Special tribute was given to Maury and Lisa Friedman and Renee Overton for their commitment and generosity in supporting the Friendship Circle.

   The evening also looked forward to the work that still needs to be done. Eli Laber, director of the Friendship Circle, announced the Friendship Circle’s new initiative for the 2009-2010 year--a new division that will cater to teens and adults with special needs set to begin with a pilot program in fall 2009.

   To contribute to this year’s campaign, you can do so by visiting www.FriendshipCircleCA.com/donate.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10253943/1