By Tanya Buresh-Werby, Assistant Director, FCVA
Friendship Circle of Virginia demonstrated the power of community, exceeding its fundraising goal during its annual Charidy campaign, raising an incredible $165,125 from over 550 donors and 52 fundraising teams.
A Community United in Giving
This year’s campaign was a testament to the generosity and dedication of the FCVA family. With the support of matching donors, every contribution was doubled, inspiring more people to give and making a lasting impact. FCVA extends heartfelt gratitude to its matchers:
- Allen & Hannah Cohen
- Barbara Fried
- The Galpern Family
- Brian & Sally Kaplan
- Sarah & Yoel Kranz
- Yoli Kranz
- Judith & John Levy and
Family
- The Lipsker Family
- Wendy & Tom Rosenthal
- Lynn & Jay Schwartz
- The Walker Family
- Carole & Marcus Weinstein
- In memory of Cyrel
- Anonymous x 3
Every Donation Makes a Difference
At Friendship Circle, we’ve often heard, “Because your events are so well done (which we truly appreciate!), you must be doing just fine with fundraising and don’t need many donations.” However, nothing could be further from the truth.
As a nonprofit that relies heavily on community support, every dollar matters and plays a vital role in our success. We are deeply grateful for every contribution made during this campaign because each donation directly helps create more opportunities, experiences, and support for our families and community members.
No matter the size, every single donation has played a vital role in helping Friendship Circle of Virginia grow and expand its programs. These funds will directly support five exciting new initiatives:
- Senior Circle – fostering social connection for seniors in the community,
- Sibling Circle – provides support and programming for siblings of individuals with disabilities.
- YAD- Young Adult Division – Fostering social experiences for young adults.
- Parent Support – programming and camaraderie
- Increased Jewish programming and increased partnerships with Jewish organizations throughout Richmond – Creating more opportunities for Jewish connection and celebration.
More Than Just Fundraising
This campaign was about more than just reaching a financial goal—it was about fostering friendship, inclusion, and support for individuals with disabilities and their families. Thanks to this campaign, FCVA can continue its mission to create meaningful connections and enhance the lives of those it serves.
The success of the campaign was also driven by the dedication of our team fundraising captains, who worked tirelessly to spread the word and encourage community participation. Their leadership played a pivotal role in reaching—and exceeding—the goal.
Still Time to Give!
Gratitude and Celebration
“We did it—together!” said FCVA representatives. “This achievement is a testament to the incredible generosity of our community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed, volunteered, and championed this cause. Your support makes a real difference, and we are honored to continue this important work.”
Visit FCVA.org to learn more about how Friendship Circle facilitates friendships and social opportunities for people with and without disabilities via their free programs enriching lives and building an inclusive community one friendship at a time.
