Friday, November 16, 2018

Corporate Day of Service; SAMSUNG Gives at Lorimer Nature Center


Franklin Lakes, New Jersey – New Jersey’s Audubon’s Lorrimer Nature Center was a host site for Samsung’s 8th Day of Service on Friday October 12th, a national program where 4,000 employees across the U.S. are given the day off to make a difference in their communities. Coordinated through the Bergen Volunteer Center, over 20 employees from Samsung Electronics America’s NJ office helped ensure that trails stay safe and are accessible to handicap visitors. Volunteers shouldered shovels and rakes; hauled, dumped and spread over 21 tons of trail stone, driveway stone, and wood chips making areas of the sanctuary safer for children and adults. Samsung volunteers are helping to ensure that all visitors, regardless of abilities, can enjoy the nature trails and participate in classes, tours, and events.

The work Samsung volunteers completed was monumental in impacting the Lorrimer’s Center capacity of serving those with impairments, disabilities, and handicaps. Carol Diveny, the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations of New Jersey Audubon was ecstatic to have Samsung volunteers spend their day at Lorrimer Nature Center. Diveny stated that, “This was all completed in one day--work that would have taken our nature center staff about 3 months to tackle. Thank you Samsung. You are Awesome!”

Interested in having your own corporate day of service? Contact Maureen Cameron at the Bergen Volunteer Center. 201-489-9454 ext. 204 or mcameron@bergenvolunteers.org

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

ALL Wrapped Up Holiday Giving Program of the Bergen Volunteer Center



“Year after year, the generosity of Bergen County residents is a wonder to behold. All Wrapped Up brings holiday cheer to those who might otherwise feel left out of the joys of the season. Join us in making our own holidays brighter, by sharing the spirit with our neighbors in need,” says Lynne Algrant, Bergen Volunteer Center CEO.

In 2017, 708 families and 1,078 individuals, referred by 28 area non-profit agencies, were "adopted.” Nearly 750 donors from the community responded with contributions of gifts, gift certificates, toys, clothing and household items, totalling more than $276,000.  

The Bergen Volunteer Center seeks participation in its annual All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving Program. Individuals, families, corporations, co-workers, civic and religious groups can be matched through All Wrapped Up to children and families in need, troubled youth, lonely seniors and disabled adults, who otherwise might miss out on the joy of the holiday season.  

Participants can choose to Adopt-a-Family, which can range in size from two to seven people.  Donors will be matched with one of the 700 families for whom agencies request assistance.  The family profile includes genders, ages, sizes and specific gift requests that could include clothes, toys, gift certificates or household items. Donors should plan to spend about $50 per family member.

Participants, who would like to focus on one person in need, will be matched with an individual through the Heart-to-Heart program. Agencies request assistance for 1,000 seniors, or disabled adults, who live alone. Donors provide supermarket gift certificates, clothing and gifts and should plan to spend approximately $50.



To participate in the program, visit the Volunteer Center’s website at www.bergenvolunteers.org, click on the tab for All Wrapped Up to complete an application form and/or contact Debbie Emery at (201) 489-9454 Ext. 202 or email demery@bergenvolunteers.org.