The 10th Annual Walk4Friendship will be taking place at the Old Port on Sunday, Oct. 14th. The event is being held by the Friendship Circle a local non-profit that promotes friendship, support, and inclusion for young people with special needs. The 2k walk and 5k run attract hundreds of people every year. Last year there were just under 1000 participants and the organization raised $510,000. This year the group plans to do even better and has organized teams with the help of several sponsors including the Royal Bank of Canada and Yellow.
“Our theme will be “Pure Friendship”, celebrating the amazing friendship that the organization was able to create and empower for the special needs children and volunteers, ” says Communications intern Audrey Fleurot. The Friendship Circle primarily services children, teens, and young adults from the greater Montreal area although its mandate covers adults up to 40. Members have a wide range of cognitive or physical disabilities including Autism, Downs Syndrome, Development Delays, Cerebral Palsy, and visual impairment. “This year we hope to see many more walkers and runners who aren’t yet affiliated with Friendship Circle,” she says. “We also hope to surpass our last year’s goal of $500,000 which will enable us to create more friendships and inclusive opportunities in the upcoming year.”
It’s all about making our city more inclusive. Racheli the family support and program developer puts it this way: “We’re so grateful and inspired to see the community come together to walk in support of friendship and inclusion for our special friends. This walk celebrates the unique abilities of each individual and the incredible affect of inclusive friendships!”
You don’t have to walk or run to participate, you just have to show up. It’s an opportunity for people to have fun, make new friends, meet old friends, and support special friends. There will be plenty of fun activities for kids of all age groups including interactive games, face painting, tattoo art, caricature artists, virtual reality and the latest rage – ax throwing! – for those who are not faint of heart. Food and beverages will be provided which pretty much guarantees that everyone will have a grand ole time.
If you haven’t yet taken a spin on Montreal’s Observation Wheel now’s your opportunity. Like last year, La Grande Roue has generously partnered with the Friendship Circle and is offering free rides on the giant Ferris wheel for all participants following the festivities. The big wheel is 60 meters high and offers a breathtaking view of the city and mountain with a panoramic vista stretching all the way to Montee de Liesse on the South Shore. It promises to be quite the ride!
Friendship, fun, and food: what’s not to like?
