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Friendship Circle, an organization in Manalapan that assists families with children with special needs, will be holding its first "Walk for Friends" May 3, at Brookdale Community College.

The organization allows special needs children to socialize and interact with each other, while at the same time providing relief and support for the families.

Chanale Wolosow, the director of Friendship Circle, said the first walk was held four years ago in California. After hearing how successful the walk was Wolosow said the organization decided to hold a walk here.

"We thought it would be a great idea to help us get the word about Friendship Circle out, spread the awareness of children with special needs, and help us raise funds to keep our program going," Wolosow said. "That's why we decided this would be a great idea for us to do."

They began to plan the walk in the fall of 2008 and realized the walk needed to include the whole community and provide an opportunity for everyone to have fun and do a mitzvah. She said the walk has three goals: to raise money for Friendship Circle, to raise awareness about Friendship Circle, and to have everyone in the community show their support for families with special needs.

"It's a great cause and a great organization to be involved in, and it's going to be a really fun day for the whole family, adults teenagers, kids, everyone can enjoy," she said.

Wolosow said registration for the walk is free and no donation is required. Registrants can sign up at walk4friends.com and will receive a free T-shirt. People can register as an individual, join a team, or start a team, she said.

"After the walk, we're going to have entertainment," she said. "It's really going to be a fun family day. So, it's a fun thing that everyone can be involved in and everyone can really make a difference in their own way just by coming and joining to help a child."

Although this is the first walk, she said so far there are 200 people signed up, but they are hoping for about 500. The goal is to raise anywhere between $60,000 and $80,000, she said. She said harsh economic times shouldn't affect the amount of donations.

"I think everyone's willing to give as much as they possibly could," Wolosow said. "I think it's a time that everyone really wants to reach out and help each other. So, even though everyone's feeling it, I think everyone's heart grew a little bit more and really wants to make a difference. We're all affected in some ways, but this is a time that everyone is really looking out for each other."

Some people may only be able to give a small amount of money, but the mere fact that people came, walked, donated and supported the Friendship Circle and the children is what's really important, she said. Wolosow said a Friendship Circle committee has helped spread the word about the walk through email, flyers, schools, synagogues, the media, and Jewish community centers.

"People have found out about Friendship Circle for the first time through this walk," she said. "It's going to be a huge success. This is something that everyone can do together."

Joy Ryan, who has been involved with the organization for four years because her 12-year-old son, Jake Gitterman, has special needs, said the organization is wonderful and has made a huge difference in her family's life. Friendship Circle has allowed Jake to have fun with other children like him, and allows her family to meet other families that have children with special needs.

"It's very difficult to find activities when you have a special needs child, especially as they get older because, unfortunately, developmentally they're a lot younger, my son is, than his physical age," Ryan said. "So, activities with typical children his own age are usually pretty difficult."

The people at Friendship Circle are truly one of a kind, she said. They are caring, warm, kind, and always there for Jake, she said. The organization has not only Jake's life easier, but her life as well, she said.

"It's nice to socialize with other moms that are in the same situation that you are," Ryan said.

Her other son, Justin, who is 15 years old, is a good brother and takes great care of Jake at home. Ryan and her family plan to attend the walk and are very excited.

"I know financial times are tough right now, but we're not really asking for a lot -- even if you can give $5 it helps," she said. "Open your arms to the special needs community. All they want to do is help and help our kids."

Currently, the walk has raised more than $23,360; visit walk4friends.com to see updates on the amount raised prior to the walk.