Dessi Tzankova and Renee Ringel’s soft chatter bubbled into fits of giggles while the two carefully thumbed through pictures of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

“My favorite songs of his are ‘Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog‘ and ‘Jailhouse Rock,‘“ said Ringel, a 45-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, blushing at the thought of Elvis Presley’s looks. “I like him because he is a good singer and I think he is cute.”

Tzankova, a Westland junior, and Ringel met three years ago through CMU’s Best Buddies program, affiliated with the Volunteer Center.

Tzankova, president of CMU’s Best Buddies chapter, still remembers the shyness in Ringel’s eyes when they first met. Their friendship has grown through Ringel’s struggles with breast cancer. They plan on being buddies for life.

Ringel, who is developmentally disabled, has a quick laugh and speaks softly whenever she talks about Tzankova.

“She is a good listener and a good friend,” Ringel said.

Tzankova calls Ringel loving and optimistic.

“(Renee) is resilient and so strong — she is my hero,” Tzankova said. “Everywhere we go, someone knows her name.”

A bigger program

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that allows students to form friendships with those who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tzankova became president of the program last year and has many visions for its future.

“People should join because you get more out of it than you put in,” Tzankova said. “When you see your buddy, your worries fade.”

Best Buddies holds monthly meetings, along with a recruitment at the beginning of the fall semester.

“We like to recruit people by September, and it’s difficult if a college student breaks that friendship and we have to introduce the buddies to someone new,” Tzankova said. “They notice when they are being neglected, and that is why I stress that this is a friendship.”

There are 100 involved in CMU’s program — 50 students and 50 “buddies.” Students in the program must have one-on-one outings at least once a month and make contact with their buddy once a week by phone, e-mail or through the mail, Tzankova said.

If students are unable to fully commit to a buddy, they can become associate members who plan events, coordinate and brainstorm ideas, Tzankova said.

Tzankova was an associate member during her first year in the program and connected with different buddies.

“You have a unique friendship and you learn a lot from them,” Tzankova said.

Inspiration

Ringel recently went through chemotherapy treatment after a bout with breast cancer. She said Tzankova’s presence made a difference.

The two would do everything from eating at Dragon Express, 314 West Broomfield St., to playing basketball.

“She inspires me, and we’re really good company,” Tzankova said.

Saginaw junior Katie Boshans is another volunteer with the program.

“I know a lot of people who are really uncomfortable around the disabled … that is why I joined Best Buddies,” Boshans said. “The experience has been really great because my buddy, Heather, is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.”

A fundraiser benefiting Best Buddies takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Culvers, 1021 E. Pickard Street.

E-mail the author: Sherri Keaton