'Circle Of Friendship' Party Brings Two Communities Of Kids Together

Submitted by the Western Springs-OTSC Circle of Friendship.

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — On Saturday, March 11th, more than 200 grade school children from Western Springs and Off the Street Club will gather at the Lyons Township High School Corral from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for the annual Circle of Friendship Party. During the party, each child from Western Springs is paired up with a child of the same grade/gender from Off the Street Club (OTSC). The event offers two communities of children, who might not otherwise meet, the chance to get to know each other a little bit and to take in the lessons of character and friendship that the "Circle of Friendship" offers.

There are plenty of fun activities planned for the pairs of buddies: a Cookie Walk, face painting, friendship bracelet making, inflatable obstacle course, a treasure hunt, games, pizza, ice cream and much more. More than 60 adult and teenage volunteers from Western Springs schools and churches will also be on hand to help. I know this party would make a great photo opportunity and story for The Western Springs Patch.

Off the Street Club, the oldest boys and girls club in Chicago, is a home away from home for more than 3,000 children ages 4 through 18 from the West Side. The Club offers a safe haven from the violence and drugs endemic to the neighborhood. At OTSC, kids work on homework in the Computer Center, play basketball and board games, and, most importantly, they can relax and just be kids.

The party's "Circle of Friendship" name refers to the reciprocal, 20 year+ relationship enjoyed between Western Springs and Off the Street Club. WS families visit the club for monthly "Third Thursday" events, when the Club hosts fun activities such as pumpkin carving in October or a roller skating night at its in-house roller rink. OTSC also hosts WS families at an annual family picnic at the Club's summer camp in Wheaton. In addition to hosting the annual Circle of Friendship party, WS organizes local collections for the Club including school supply donations and summer camp essentials.

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Image via WS-OTSC Circle of Friendship