Every kid knows “BFF” means Best Friends Forever – and now it can also stand for “Best Friend Fundraisers” supporting Friendship Circle of Greater Miami’s mission to unite special needs children with teen volunteers sharing the power of true giving that can generate a lasting impact on the direction of their lives.
BE A ‘BFF’ BY VOTING ON FACEBOOK
“Friendship Circle is competing with charities nationwide for grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 from the Chase Community Giving program,” explains Charity Director, Mendel Dechter.
“The community can help ensure our success by voting for Friendship Circle through the Chase Community Giving program on Facebook.
Visit www.Facebook.com /ChaseCommunityGiving to cast your vote now.”
BE A ‘BFF’ AT THE 1ST FUNDRAISER, NOV. 8
Friendship Circle is inviting existing and prospective new “BFF’s” to attend an inaugural fun, fundraising/awareness evening on Nov. 8 in Golden Beach “During this event, we want to help parents and teens understand what differentiates our unique non-profit program,” Dechter said. “While many others address the issues of children with special needs, most are focused on goal-oriented therapeutic care. Friendship Circle embraces an added dimension by offering unconditional love. By having this love flow from the youthful spirit of wellguided teenagers, its effectiveness has proven to be remarkable.
“Our teen volunteers have been able to reach children in ways that professionals, or even family members, have not. Friendship Circle has also had a profound effect on the teens themselves, instilling within them the values of giving and gratitude. At this pivotal stage, when the world worries about bullying in the classroom, a program like Friendship Circle shows teenagers the importance of giving to others and builds a foundation of acceptance.”
BE A ‘BFF’ BY VOLUNTEERING
Local middle and high school students already volunteering to be “BFF’s” are helping special needs kids benefit from positive and meaningful interactions with their peers. Just some of the proactive Friendship Circle programs include weekly home visits, cooking programs, sports leagues, holiday events, field trips and other enriching, entertaining and educational activities. “Being a Circle volunteer is a great way to give an extraordinary gift to an extraordinary kid,” Dechter said. “Teen volunteers can also build friendships with lots of other teens discovering that giving to others can make you feel better about yourself and the world!”
BE A ‘BFF’ ONLINE
Simply by clicking on FCMiami.org and Facebook.com/FriendshipCircleMiami, you can become a “BFF” and learn more about volunteer opportunities, upcoming special events and fundraisers. Helpful parenting tips, resources and photo albums capturing joyous and memorable Friendship Circle moments can also be viewed.
“At Friendship Circle, we do our best to provide programs and support for children with special needs while simultaneously working to ensure teens in our community can do positive work and make the world a better and more accepting place,” Dechter emphasizes. “But without ‘BFF’ partners, we would be unable to continue our work.”
For more information about Circle of Friendship, phone 305-735-9686, visit www.FCMiami.org and www.Facebook.com/ www.FriendshipCircleMiami. To help Friendship Circle receive up to $250,000 through the Chase Community Giving program, visit Facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving to cast your vote.
