Kindness shines through the activities when Hoda Mezistrano and her Mercer Island family volunteer with Friendship Circle of Washington.
It’s an essential part of the human condition, Hoda said, adding that she’s grateful her three sons are learning about connecting with others through their involvement with the nonprofit organization.
Created by Rabbi Elazar and Esther Bogomilsky 20 years ago, Friendship Circle of Washington fosters lasting friendships that make a difference for children and teens with special needs and typically developing teens, according to its website. The organization is headquartered on Mercer Island and serves the King County region.
“It’s really energizing to go to these events,” said Dan Mezistrano, 18. “Walking away from a Friendship Circle event, you just feel very fulfilled and you see the happiness on your buddy’s face and the enjoyment that they took away from that event,” he added about the special needs children and teens. Dan and his brothers, Avi, 14, and Levi, 16, pair up with the kids at events like Sunday Circle and Friends at Home.
With Hoda and her husband Joel leading way with the family’s volunteerism over the years, the Mezistranos will be recognized as the honoree family at Friendship Circle of Washington’s 19th Annual Heroes Gala beginning at 6 p.m. May 22 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.
Joel Mezistrano, who was born and raised on the Island, said the family feels honored to be saluted at the “Friendship Takes Flight” gala. He’s thrilled that their kids have become involved with the organization.
“It is a big honor just because we’re very lucky in this community that there’s so many people that give and volunteer. This community is amazing and there’s just so many great causes and they’re all very well-supported,” said Joel, whose Auntie Beverly had special needs and a special and direct connection with the Bogomilskys, Hoda added. Auntie Beverly was full of warmth and had a love of life, the organization’s website notes.
The Bogomilskys praised the Mezistranos in a statement regarding their volunteerism: “We are immensely grateful for Hoda and Joel Mezistrano’s presence as Friendship Circle honorees at the 19th Annual Heroes Gala. Their entire family embodies the essence of inclusion and fosters a profound sense of belonging within our community. The Mezistrano family’s unwavering support has not only enriched our organization, but has also strengthened the bonds of unity and acceptance among us all.”
In a letter from U.S. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington’s 9th Congressional District, he said, in part, that he thanks the Mezistrano family for its hard work in bettering the community.
Hoda said the family’s Friendship Circle journey began when mutual friends pointed her toward the organization, which was also part of her niece and nephew Sadie and David Wolf’s lives.
When Dan, Levi and Avi became eligible to join the volunteer training program, they became involved with the organization and found it rewarding.
Hoda discussed the impact that volunteers make on the special needs kids at the events: “These kids have a sense of belonging through the Friendship Circle in ways that they might not ordinarily have in their lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.”
Dan said it’s nice that their buddies have a variety of activities to engage in — such as art, karate, yoga, music and more — at the two-hour Sunday Circle.
From his experience with Sunday Circle, Levi said he has gained perspective about the lives of special needs kids.
“It really helps me understand how differently they see the world and how that can make me kind of give people a second chance and not judge a book by its cover. Just kind of understand people for who they are,” he said.
Avi, who is also involved with Friends at Home to further build a friendship with his buddy, added about his Friendship Circle experience: “I feel like I’m bettering myself for volunteering and learn more things about myself and what I can do with volunteering with the buddies.”
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