Event Raises Funds to Support the Friendship Circle to Create a More Inclusive Community for Individuals With Disabilities
The Friendship Circle Las Vegas, a nonprofit organization for individuals with special needs, will hold its annual Walk4Friendship Las Vegas community fundraiser on Sunday, March 14 at 11 a.m. to raise awareness and resources to create a more inclusive community in Las Vegas that nurtures and welcomes people of all abilities.
This year, due to COVID-19, the event will be virtual. All registered walkers will receive their “Walk Kit” including their free event t-shirt in advance via delivery or at a designated pick-up location. On March 14, the event will be live streamed on The Friendship Circle’s Website, YouTube, and Facebook page starting at 11 a.m. with a video from a local celebrities. Participants are encouraged to walk their own route, in their neighborhood or at a park, and post pictures and videos while tagging Walk4Friendship. During the live streamed event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., registered participants can pick-up a free lunch and enjoy live entertainment at the Bet Yossef Community Center, 8551 Vegas Dr., Las Vegas.
“We didn’t want the pandemic to force us to cancel an event so critical to promoting inclusivity, especially during these trying times,” said Rabbi Levi Harlig, executive director of The Friendship Circle Las Vegas. “We reimagined our event so everyone can still participate but on their own, from their neighborhood or local park. While the event may look different, the purpose remains the same: to come together to help create lifelong friendships for individuals with disabilities who shouldn’t have to feel isolated and alone. Everyone is deserving of friendship, and everyone can be a friend.”
Participation in Walk4Friendship Las Vegas is free, but to meet their fundraising goal, event organizers encourage donations and pursue corporate sponsorships, which are available at various levels. Several businesses have already committed to the event, including Gold level sponsors: Albertsons, Southwest Medical, and Fields-Rayant Charitable Fund and Silver level sponsors: Smith’s and Nigro Construction.
The Friendship Circle pairs teenage and young adult volunteers with physically and intellectually challenged children, teens, and young adults who may suffer from loneliness in addition to their handicap. Through shared experiences and activities, new friendships are created and a spirit of inclusion and acceptance of everyone is fostered. To pursue this critical mission despite the pandemic, activities have been redesigned into virtual experiences or drive-by / socially distanced outdoor meetups.
Registration to participate in Walk4Friendship 2021 is now open at: www.walk4friendshiplv.com. Photos from last year’s event can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/3sso5lB. In 2020, the event raised more than $100,000 and had approximately 1,000 participants walk the 1-mile course.