The flagship branch of the Friendship Circle organization was informed Wednesay it won $25,000 from an online contest sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank.
The West Bloomfield, Michigan-based organization is one of the 100 winning organizations in Round 1 of the Chase Community Giving program.
Trailblazers in the field of assistance for children with special needs, the Lubavitch charity was voted in by Facebook users.
“We would like to thank everyone for helping out and making this Kiddsh Hashem,” Rabbi Levi Shemtov, co-founder of the suburban-Detroit group turned national network, told COLlive.com.
Shemtov said he hopes the win will also raise awareness for families with ‘special children’ and the teenagers who volunteer to befriend them.
COLlive.com readers were encouraged to vote for the organization.
Asked about the future – round 2 of the contest – Shemtov said they are developing a plan that will involve local chapters across the U.S.
In round 2, beginning January 15, 2010, Facebook users will have the opportunity to cast up to 5 votes for the charities of their choice, but only one vote per charity.
The eligible organization receiving the most votes and meeting program requirements will earn a $1 million grant from Chase. Five additional charities will each receive a $100,000 grant towards their cause.
Chase-Facebook Contest:
+ Friendship Circle at #35
+ The Things I Did Today
+ Your Chabad Can Win $5M
GO BASSI AND LEVI! JOB WELL DONE!! FROM ALL THE WAY IN NY!
dear COLlive readers
thank u all for voting! r u in to help us take this to the next level? do u want to b part of an exciting campaign over the next 6 weeks? email us today chase@friendshipcircle.org to sign up. please include a short paragraph to describe in what capacity u can be helpful. THANKS!
wow! I hear Rabbi shemtov does amzing work there! May this grant help him further his outstanding work!
MAZAL TOV AND CONTINUE DOING ALL THE GOOD WORK YOU DO!
yay! so happy it worked out b”h! you deserve it the most, only hatzlacha!
What a kidush hashem!