Bais Menachem Chabad group aims to helps special needs children

Samuel Haberman with two friends, Brittany Johnson and Mandolin Daniels Bais Menachem Chabad in Tampa is preparing to launch the 2010 Friendship Circle Club, which again will bring together special needs children and teen volunteers.

The group, which will meet July 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Bais Menachem Chabad, is expecting six or seven children and about 10 teen volunteers, said Rebbitzin Chana Rivkin.

“The children and the volunteers come from all over the community,” she said. “Everyone is welcome.”

Based on the Biblical commandment to love your fellow as yourself, she said the Friendship Circle hopes to engage, inspire and support not only the special needs children, but their parents and the volunteers as well.

“We just had our weekly visit with Samuel’s new friends – Brittany and Mandolin. They are such sweet girls and played with him non-stop for 90 minutes,” said Gina Haberman following a previous Friendship Circle session. “I had a chance to talk with their moms while the kids played trains and games. It was nice to socialize for me, too.” For information on the program, call (813) 375-9799.

Bais Menachem Chabad is located at 8913 Eastman Drive in Tampa.