The Friendship Circle, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for and supporting children and adults with special needs, is hosting their annual “Walk4Friendship” walk at Pine Trails Park on March 2. The goal for the walk is to raise money to continue the program, show support for the community and convince more people to volunteer during the year at events.

The charity was founded in 1994 with a mission to create social inclusion and friendship for children and adults with special needs. The walk did not begin until 2006, and since then over 79 communities around the country have walked for friendship.

In Parkland, The Chabad of Parkland provides activities and events to pair volunteers with their special needs buddies. Throughout the year director Chana Etta Reicher, manager Nina Zuroff and board members plan the walk, including entertainment, food and merchandise.

“I joined Friendship Circle my freshman year, and it has helped me be more aware of my actions and words, especially doing the walk because I walk for my buddy,” senior Taylor Bretz said. “I try to go as much as I can, especially being in my senior year and this most likely be the last walk I’ll be able to go to.”

Friendship Circle participants created a page for contributors to donate money to the cause before the walk. The donations help the Friendship Circle continue giving back to the community and educating the general public about the disabilities their participants have, such as having parent and professional speakers.

The Parkland Friendship Circle has many branches, which help to include as many people as possible. These groups include a bakery, where twice a week young adults can bake and sell their creations, a moms only group, where moms can relate to and find support with each other, a newly created girls group and more. Without the annual walk, many of these programs would not be possible.

“For the parent of someone with ‘unique abilities’ or someone who is ‘handi-capable’ as I like to call it, finding a place where my daughter feels not just accepted or tolerated, but celebrated is transformative,” parent Samantha Brand said. “If I could tell my six and a half year younger self one thing, it would be that life will be so much more enjoyable once you’re introduced to, and adopted by the Friendship Circle.

The walk’s mission to create inclusion and friendship, as well as to educate the public about special needs, has succeeded and the organization has grown tremendously. The walk begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts until 1:00 p.m.