BACH REINVENTION—Musician Jonah Felton, 11, wows the crowd at the Friendship Circle annual banquet with is own rendition of Bach. "Moving," "inspirational," "special" and "inclusive" were some of the adjectives used to describe the Conejo Valley Jewish Friendship Circle annual banquet at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza.

More than 250 guests came to honor the contributions of teenage volunteers and their work with special needs children and their families.

The event also included a video presentation of this year's Friendship Walk, which attracted more than 1,200 people and raised funds to help support the group's programs.

The teen volunteers have given more than 8,600 hours of support this past year in providing companionship to special needs children and families.

Courtney Frohelig and Becca Hirsch are teen volunteers and Friendship Circle presidents.

"I speak on behalf of all the teens in the program. We get so much more than we give," said Becca. "You can't ask for any greater reward than the love we get in return from these very special angels, the children of the Friendship Circle."

"I see the Friendship Circle as a way to give these children opportunities to excel in areas they would otherwise never think to explore while creating an environment of encouragement, unconditional love and support," Courtney said. "It is my hope that a changing attitude towards disabilities may foster a new wave of thriving individuals who can succeed on their own terms in their own element, and with programs like the Friendship Circle, we are well on our way."

The event featured a Friendship Circle children presentation. "For a while I did not have many friends, and no one wanted to play with me," said Noah David, 8, who participates in Friendship Circle activities. "With the Friendship Circle, I feel at home. I feel comfortable and happy. And there is always someone who wants to play with me."

Jamy Auerbach, 8, and Jonah Felton, 11, performed their own rendition of Bach. The children learned how to play the piano at the Friendship Circle's "Making Music" program.

The banquet paid tribute to Maury and Lisa Friedman and Renee Overton for their commitment and generosity in supporting the Friendship Circle.

Eli Laber, director of the Friendship Circle, said that the group's new initiative for the 200910 year will be a new division for teens and adults with special needs. A pilot program is set to begin in the fall.