Friendship Circle Honored

By Levi Stein and Lauren Todaro, Mirror Newspapers

As the sun went down late Wednesday evening, the lights went up at Friendship Circle’s 13th Annual Volunteer Recognition Event. Nestled into 40 acres of protected wetlands, the Ferber Kaufman LifeTown building stood silent in anticipation of their 750 honored guests.

Classical music softly drifted from the speakers as decadent desserts and fine wine greeted all who walked through the doors. A deliciously gracious treat for those who continually give of themselves for the greater good.

As the clock ticked towards 7 p.m., the building exploded into excited chatter and greetings between friends and family. Friendship Circle’s teenage and adult volunteers walked with pride as they toured their family and friends around the expansive therapy wing and 5,000 square-foot, true-to-life Weinberg Village. It is within this one-of-a-kind facility that the lives of both volunteer and child are forever changed by the universal bond of friendship.

Downstairs in Weinberg Village, 50 elaborately designed packages sat atop linen strewn tables. From a Nintendo Wii all the way to a week-long island getaway, the crowds amassed around the Friendship Circle’s first ever Chinese Auction.

With 100 percent of the profit going directly to Friendship Circle, tickets were dropped into the auction boxes as “oohs” and “aahs” filled the gymnasium with adoration of prizes donated by local and national businesses in support of the event.

After the festivities in the LifeTown building, the crowd of nearly 1,000 gathered at The Shul for the Volunteer Recognition Program.

Bassie Shemtov, both co-founder and director of Friendship Circle said to the volunteers, “Thank you for orchestrating such brilliance! Your dedication, your heart, your unending ability to give and give has created the most inspirational song and the most amazing example of a united community.”

This annual spring event is held to honor the teenage and adult volunteers of the Morrie & Sybil Fenkell Volunteer Club. These volunteers comprise what is now an international non-profit dedicated to pairing children with special needs and volunteers . Over time, the bond between child and volunteer evolves into genuine friendship in a safe, learning environment.

Friendship Circle was founded in West Bloomfield in 1995 by Bassie & Levi Shemtov. Now, 14 years later, their once small non-profit has over 70 locations world wide and serves thousands of families of children with special needs. Not only does Friendship Circle change the lives of these children, but also the lives of volunteers who learn important life lessons during their time at LifeTown.

Teenage volunteer Max Herczeg stood proudly at The Shul podium and proclaimed to the crowd, “Friendship Circle has taught me hope. Watching children, half my age, struggling with and overcoming life’s toughest challenges has taught me to become more patient, responsible and most importantly a true believer in hope.”

In the last year alone, Friendship Circle has opened its doors to 70 schools in Michigan and over 3,000 families in Metro Detroit. As their impact spreads like wildfire across the nation, many are still surprised to learn about what started here in West Bloomfield.

Dennis Krozek, a new supporter of Friendship Circle, stood outside of The Shul after the program had ended, talking with fellow family members, “I had no idea this huge community was here. And it’s amazing how necessary and relevant this cause is. Hearing a mother so strong yet so humbled by the help of Friendship Circle, teenagers forever changed, children who feel love and acceptance. The impact was so heavily felt and it’s really quite overwhelming.”

As the evening grew dark, the warm light emanated from towering glass windows of The Shul. Inside, 1,000 community members listened intently, their hearts filled with pride, knowing that their support and time has provided the greatest example of friendships true meaning. Love, acceptance and equality. Three values exemplified by this united community that serve as an inspiration to all who strive to make a positive impact in a world so needing.