Following the success of last year’s fundraising efforts, Friendship Circle of Virginia (FCVA) is gearing up for its 2026 Friendraiser on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17–18.
This 36-hour campaign will rally the community to celebrate the power of friendship and raise essential funds to support FCVA’s free, inclusive programs serving individuals with disabilities, teens in the community, and their families.
Friendship Should Never Come With a Price Tag reflects the heart of FCVA’s mission. Every contribution during the Friendraiser directly fuels opportunities for connection, belonging, and community, ensuring that finances never stand in the way of friendship.
Supporting a Growing Community
FCVA continues to expand its reach with new programming, increased event participation, and growing demand from families across the region.
Hundreds of families and thousands of community members benefit annually from FCVA’s initiatives. From Friends at Home visits and Birthday Circles to inclusive holiday celebrations, adaptive community events, teen leadership opportunities, and the new Senior Circle program, FCVA is positively impacting the lives of so many in the community.
As participation rises, so does the cost of providing these meaningful experiences. Our annual Friendraiser ensures FCVA can keep every program free of charge, allowing families, many facing financial and medical strains, to experience joy, connection, and community without additional burden.
In 2025, Friendship Circle welcomed 102 new families into our circle, and our community events doubled in size, all while keeping programs free of charge.
We also expanded our impact with new programs for seniors, teen-specific activities, Moms’ Nights, and the development of a young adult program, and collaborated with multiple Jewish organizations to offer enriched Jewish programming. These small, intentional actions, program by program, relationship by relationship, are what build a lasting culture of friendship and inclusion.
One parent shared: “Each birthday has been a huge success. Volunteers are so amazing. My son is so very happy during these get-togethers. His social skills improve a little each time.”
Join the Friendraiser Team
Supporters are encouraged to join the Friendraiser effort by:
- Volunteering at the Friendraiser Call Center
- Helping fundraise by reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues
- Create a Friendraising Page - encourage your friends to donate to your personal fundraising effort on behalf of Friendship Circle - no fundraising goal is too small!
- Spreading awareness and sharing the campaign online
- Encouraging others to give and be part of this community movement
Every participant—whether making calls, fundraising, or spreading the word—helps build momentum and maximizes the impact of the campaign.
The Power of Friendship
At the core of every FCVA program is the belief that true friendship is built through small, consistent actions—not grand gestures. Every dollar, every share, every connection contributes to creating a community where friendships thrive and individuals with and without disabilities can experience belonging, understanding, and shared joy.
For many families of children with disabilities, day-to-day life revolves around appointments, therapies, and medical needs. Community events often become out of reach emotionally, logistically, or financially. FCVA changes that reality.
One parent reflected, “Because Friendship Circle programs are free, we can try new activities without worrying about having paid and needing to leave immediately. If our child is overstimulated or not feeling well, we can stay for a few minutes, or leave early. That flexibility has made Friendship Circle invaluable, opening the door to experiences and opportunities we otherwise would never have been able to try.”
Another parent shared “Through Friendship Circle, my daughter has had the opportunity to form meaningful, lasting friendships that reach across distance and time. Watching her reconnect in person with friends she’s known for years reminded me just how powerful these connections are. Moments like these truly bring everything full circle, showing the impact of friendship and the sense of belonging it creates.”
Become a Matcher or Supporter
This year, FCVA is seeking Friendraiser Matchers willing to commit $1,800 or more, helping amplify every gift and inspire the community to participate. Others can contribute by donating, volunteering at the call center, or sharing the campaign within their networks.
Donations can be made at Charidy.com/FCVA.
Mark your calendars for February 17–18 and join Friendship Circle of Virginia in supporting friendships that uplift individuals, strengthen families, and enrich the entire community.
A Reminder: The Disability Expo Is January 18
FCVA will host their 3rd Annual Disability Expo on January 18 at the Dewey Gottwald Center. This is a free community-wide resource fair connecting individuals with disabilities and their families to organizations, providers, and businesses offering support across all stages of life.
With 80 exhibitors and hundreds of attendees each year, the Expo remains one of the region’s largest and most trusted disability resource events. To register for free or learn more, visit FriendshipCircleVA.org/disability-expo
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.