A recent Evening of Recognition at Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk honored participants in Circle of Friends, an all-volunteer organization reaching out to children and young adults with special needs within Fairfield County.
Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, spiritual leader of Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk delivered the prayer and opening remarks to a packed hall.
Hillary Koyner of Weston addressed the attendees on behalf of the nearly 100 families with children who are serviced by The Circle of Friends. The Circle of Friends is co-sponsored by the Schneerson Center of Westport led by Rabbi Levi and Chanie Stone.
This year the teen volunteers at the Circle of Friends gave in excess of 5,000 volunteer hours.
Susan Robison, teen volunteer coordinator, introduced Weston High School teens Rachel Fraade and Mia Kamisar, this year’s recipients of the Circle of Friends Weston High Fellowship Awards.
Of special note was the presence of United States Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who expressed heartfelt praise to the 130 teen volunteers for their work which children with special needs. A gold embossed Certificate of Special Recognition signed by the senator was personally presented by Senator Blumenthal to each teen volunteer present.
Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein spoke as well and thanked the teens and their parents for their strong support of the Circle of Friends.
For more information, visit circleoffriendsct.org.
