Charity begins at home. It’s not what you do in life… it’s what you do for others.

Andrea Greenberg, Westport, CT

Hi, I’m Andrea Greenberg and I’d like to bring another perspective to Circle of Friends as a mother of two teenage boys who have volunteered in the program over the past 3 years.

“Charity begins at home.” “It’s not what you do in life….. it’s what you do for others.”

These are philosophies that I have taught to my children. When I was first approached by Freida to see if my boys were interested in volunteering I immediately thought “sure, I think my boys could definitely help out with your program. I think they would enjoy helping other children in the community with special needs.”

I felt that in a community where children’s lives are so privileged and center primarily around them that it would be a good idea to have them think about and help out someone else.

It has resulted in so much more. Instead of what they thought would be helping out a less fortunate child they have found out how much they have really helped themselves. They have gained an appreciation of life as a teenager that they would never have realized without this program. Things that they had always taken for granted before was no longer the case. They now take a moment before they ever complain about school, friends, or not being good at something.

Unlike other activities when they say “Do I have to go?” “Can I skip just this week?” They never question going. They understand how important it is when their special friend, who cannot even speak, waits for them by the door and smiles from ear to ear when he sees them. They appreciate how tough it is for Brian every single day of his life. They would never think of disappointing him. There is no amount of education that could ever teach my children what they have learned through this program.

I am so proud to be a member in this Jewish community because of what Jewish organizations have accomplished. Funding for this organization would not solely benefit the special needs children but the teen volunteers who participate in it. I think you’ll agree that this organization is one that the Jewish community would be proud to call their own!!