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BY GRANT MILLERPublisher
My brother Michael and Irecently participated inWalking 4 Friendship, a 3kwalk and carnival that benefit-ed the Friendship Circle ofMiami.
This was the sixth year ofthe event and it’s one we wouldn’t miss. Morethan 1,000 children, teens, parents, grandpar-ents and supporters came together on theFriendship Circle campus to walk and raiseawareness and money for this program thatoffers recreation and services for children,teens and young adults with special needs.
Each year, the walk and carnival get biggerand more money is raised. Through email andsocial media, through “friends askingfriends,” the impact of this event goes beyondour community. More than 1,160 donors fromall over the world donated $127,000, and thatfigure continues to rise. It’s important to rec-ognize and thank the top fundraisers Todd andLiz Ruderman and Joe and Aida Roisman.
The Friendship Circle team of NechamaHarlig, Jessica Szmuler, Linda Woodson andRabbi Yossi Harlig deserve thanks for organ-izing Walking 4 Friendship, and so do themany volunteers. Volunteers are key to theFriendship Circle’s success and they were cer-tainly key to this event. The program’s teen,young adult and parent volunteers along withvolunteer groups from many area schools
made it all possible. “It was such a powerful day, the communi-
ty’s response validated the program and theefforts of the supporters and volunteers whoso generously give of their time,” saidNechama Harlig. “The children with specialneeds and their families were overwhelmedwith the outpouring of support. They simplybeamed with pride.”
The day was full of smiles and laughter.Children enjoyed carnival rides and crafts.
Families enjoyed a performance by theGreater Miami Symphony, martial artsdemonstration by Kia Kidz and presentationby the American Sign Language Club fromKillian High School. Jack Ruderman playedthe piano and the children of the FriendshipCircle’s Music, Guitar and Hip Hop programsalso gave memorable performances. MayorCindy Lerner was there lending her supportand the Miami-Dade Police Departmenthelped keep everyone safe.
It was great to see several local organiza-tions joining the Pinecrest Tribune as spon-sors of the event. Among the supporters wereWings Beachwear, Ruderman FamilyFoundation, Ralph Maya & Co., Bayfront
Dental, Value Store It, Perry EllisInternational, Danny Berry Diamond BacksBaseball Academy, KW PropertyManagement, Evensky & Katz WealthManagement, Bank United, Palace Group,Fairholme Foundation, Clayton FeigMemorium and the Moshe Sholom Ben YudelDovid-Dr. Morry Fox Memorium.
The money raised is vital to continuing thisgreat program and donations can be madethroughout the year. To learn more or donate,go to <[email protected]> or call305-234-5654.
Rabbi Yossi Harlig with top fundraisers Joe Roisman (left),Todd Ruderman and his son Jack.
Friendship Circle Director Nechama Harlig received aproclamation from Mayor Cindy Lerner.
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Teen volunteers are the lifeblood of the Friendship Circleprograms.
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More than 1,000 people participated in this year’s Walking4 Friendship.
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