Notes by Claudia Potamkin: The Friendship Circle
The organization serving people with special needs will take its walk-a-thon virtual and publish videos
Where can you catch Miamians Jennifer Valoppi, Miami City Ballet dancers and Dave Barry on May 3rd? Well, most likely at home, thanks to Covid-19 quarantine, but they are three of the local luminaries you can find online, supporting the Friendship Circle. The community center for people with special needs is accepting videos to appear on its Facebook page the day of its virtual walk-a-thon.
Due to social distancing, the Friendship Circle’s 11th annual event will be held virtually, but it will not be canceled. In fact, the Friendship Circle has adapted much of its programming to provide kids, teens and adults with their essential connections such as virtual music lessons, yoga classes and art lessons. There’s a Young Adult program which meets online to play games together, and parents can discuss almost anything in the “Parents’ Support Meetup.” What’s more, the organization has safely delivered presents to those who’ve had their birthdays during the social distancing.
“The isolation we feel right now is unfortunately what Friendship Circle kids feel on a regular basis,” says the organization’s co-founder and director, Rabbi Yossi Harlig. “Being deprived of the most basic joys, even regular friendship and social experiences with peers.”
Virtual Walkers will also submit images and videos of themselves and their families…pets included…walking, swimming, climbing, biking,… whatever they choose. In fact, everyone is invited to send a video! Check out our Facebook page for instructions and also to watch the broadcast on May 3 will be live-streamed on the organization’s facebook page.
Claudia Potamkin began her professional career in media as a sportscaster in the late 70’s, producing sports news for News/talk radio WNWS and ABC’s Channel 10, as well as broadcasting play-by-play and color commentary for Miami Hurricanes baseball on WVUM. She has written, produced and voiced commercials and documentaries since the early ’80’s.
Claudia is a founding partner in genConnectu, a premier online educational website which connects users with over 3,000 world class experts providing courses on topics including career, finance, health, relationship, lifestyle and giving back. In addition to interviews with experts for Genconnectu, Claudia conducts author interviews at Books&Books and is a frequent master of ceremonies and moderator for various organizations.
Claudia has served on the boards of civic and charitable organizations for over 40 years. She is the proud mother of three who is pleased to fulfill her responsibilities. Responsibility = the ability to respond. Claudia feels it is a duty and an honor to respond to the needs of her local and global communities.
