West Bloomfield Beacon | Published July 13, 2023
Registration open for Walk4Friendship
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Registration is now open for the Friendship Circle’s 18th Walk4Friendship fundraiser, which is scheduled to take place Sunday, Aug. 27, at Friendship Circle’s Farber Center, located at 5586 Drake Road in West Bloomfield.
Registration is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., with the walk starting at 11:45 a.m.
The fundraising goal for this year’s walk is $750,000, according to a press release.
Walk4Friendship is a 1.7-mile-long community walk that raises funds for the nonprofit’s vital recreational, social, educational and vocational programming, according to the release.
Fundraisers like Walk4Friendship allow Friendship Circle to continue its mission of providing friendship and inclusion to nearly 3,000 individuals with special needs, the release states.
“At Friendship Circle, we open our doors and hearts to anyone and everyone who comes here,” Friendship Circle Co-Founder Bassie Shemtov stated via the release. “Those with special needs, like everyone else, need a supportive community they can lean on without judgment and people who accept them for who they are. Thanks to our supportive community, we’ve been able to host the walk for 18 years, and with the funds raised from the walk, we can continue providing individuals with special needs with the best programs and services to make them feel included.”
To register, visit walk4friendship.com/Account/Register.
‘Golf Fore Change’ scheduled for August
WHITE LAKE — The Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency is scheduled to host its fifth annual Golf Fore Change Aug. 11 at White Lake Oaks in White Lake.
Registration is set to begin at 7:30 a.m., with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.
OLHSA’s Golf Fore Change proceeds directly benefit critical emergency services for families in Oakland County, including shelter, food and utility assistance, according to a press release.
The registration cost before July 31 is $400 per foursome or $100 per person. After July 31, the cost is $500 per foursome or $125 per person, according to the release.
“Sponsorship opportunities that can help companies with brand awareness and community goodwill start at $250,” the release states.
In 2022, $19,829 was raised by the Golf Fore Change fundraiser, according to the release.
“OLHSA is excited for its 5th year hosting the Golf Fore Change,” Susan Harding, OLHSA’s CEO, stated in the release. “The fundraiser offers a fun-filled day to community members while raising necessary funds to help those seeking OLHSA’s services in Oakland County.”
To register or sign up as a sponsor, visit fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/FORE. Sponsors must sign up by July 14 for full benefits, according to the release.
Zekelman Holocaust Center selected as grant recipient
FARMINGTON HILLS – The Nissan Foundation has named the Zekelman Holocaust Center a 2023 grant recipient to help fund the planning, implementation and delivery of its Holocaust Education Summer Academy, which provides teachers with content knowledge and pedagogical techniques to use in teaching about the Holocaust, according to a press release.
Registration is now open for the Summer Academy, which runs Aug. 7-10.
For information on how to enroll in the Summer Academy, call Rick Schaffner, manager of education outreach, at (248) 556-3663.
Jewish Family Service offers free workshop, receives money to support Holocaust survivors
METRO DETROIT — Jewish Family Service is scheduled to offer a free workshop titled “The Powerful Impact of Music on the Brain” on Zoom 1-2:30 p.m. July 19.
“This presentation will provide insight into the fascinating ways music influences our brains and behavior,” a press release states. A music therapist and a DSO musician will share expertise and perform.
To enroll, contact MindU@jfsdetroit.org or 248-788-MIND.
JFS of Metro Detroit also recently announced support for Holocaust survivors.
“The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) announced the results of its recent negotiations with the German Federal Ministry of Finance: approximately $1.4 billion in compensation and social services for Holocaust survivors,” a press release states. “Of that, Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit has received $14.5 million.”
The importance of the money was explained in the release.
“Every year these negotiations become more and more critical as this last generation of Holocaust survivors age and their needs increase,” Greg Schneider, the executive vice president of the Claims Conference, stated in the release. “Being able to ensure direct payments to survivors in addition to the expansions to the social welfare services we are able to fund is essential in making sure every Holocaust survivor is taken care of for as long as it is required, addressing each individual need.”
JFS provides services to over 400 survivors in metro Detroit. JFS also facilitates and pays for home care for over 200 survivors in a nine-state region who don’t have access to an organization like JFS, according to the release.