Thursday, December 13, 2007

A Merry Mentoring Moms Party


Over 30 families enjoyed good food, good music and lots of fun at the Mentoring Moms annual holiday party on Saturday, December 8th. The Volunteer Center's Mentoring Moms program provides mentors to overwhelmed mothers in need of guidance and in moving from welfare to work. North Jersey Media, Energy Wellness and Fitness and Holy Trinity Church provided food for the party and gifts for all the moms and children. UPS employees and congregants from Bethel Total Man Ministries helped serve food (pictured at right) and students from Hackensack High School helped the children at the party with crafts and activities.

Rockin' Around the VIPS Holiday Party


The Volunteer Center's Volunteers in Protective Services (VIPS) program holiday party was held on December 8, 2007. VIPS recruits, screens, trains and supervises caring adult volunteers who mentor abused, neglected and troubled children ages 3-18. We had a full house with 88 mentors and mentees attending. Scott Reddin, a long time VIPS mentor, was our DJ and had everyone rockin'! The children had a great time dancing, playing games and laughing at Scott's antics. After an hour or so of fun, Dave Hertzel of Quest Diagnostics ( a.k.a. Santa) made his arrival amid the chanting of the children "Santa, Santa, Santa". PTK student volunteers sprung into action, assisting Santa in handing out gifts and encouraging the shy children to say hello. A wonderful time was had by all. Many thanks to Quest Diagnostics for sponsoring the party; Inserra Supermarkets/Shop-Rite of Hackensack for donating sandwiches and brownies; Pompei Little Market (Tony Camptiello) for providing hot food at a great rate and Quest Diagnostics, Hunter Douglas and Benjamin Moore for generously providing gifts for each child in the VIPS program.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

BVC Hosts Night at the Races


The Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC) recently held its sixth annual Night at the Races at the Meadowlands Racetrack. More than 150 people attended the event, which raised $10,000 to support the BVC’s efforts on behalf of needy children and families. Most guests brought new board games for children at the YCS Holley Center in Hackensack, a residential treatment center for children who have been abused and neglected. Pictured here collecting the games are: Janet Sharma, executive director of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, Ruthie Harper, YCS, Adrienne Zuendt, Hudson City Savings Bank and co-chair of the BVC, Robin Peck, YCS and Amanda Missey, BVC Manager.The BVC is an alliance of 30+ companies whose employees participate in strategic initiatives that benefit children and families. Since its launch in 2000, the BVC has generated nearly $900,000 in resources to help those in need.

Attention Golfers: Save the Date!


The 11th Annual Bergen County Golf Classic will be held on Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Ridgewood Country Club. Proceeds benefit the Volunteer Center of Bergen County and Bergen County's United Way. For more information on sponsorship or attending the event, please call Amanda Missey, Tournament Coordinator, at 201-489-9454, ext. 119 or visit http://www.bergengolfclassic.org/.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Tax Time is Coming!

Our Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) needs volunteers to help low income individuals/families and older adults with income taxes. Volunteers in Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax assistance and helps people apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Volunteers who are proficient in a second language are especially needed. AARP coordinates the training in Bergen County, which will be offered early in January. Call RSVP at 201-489-9333 or -9399 for more information.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Record features Bergen LEADS

Today's Business section of The Record (November 27) features an in-depth article on the Volunteer Center's newest program - Bergen LEADS. Non-profit news columnist Harvy Lipman spoke with several members of the Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel about this exciting new venture and its potential to positively impact Bergen County. To read the article, click here.

Help Us Get All Wrapped Up for the Holidays

The Volunteer Center's All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving program matches families or individuals in need with willing donors who "adopt" them for the holidays. To date, 310 families and 530 individuals have been "adopted" by generous donors for this holiday season! However, there are still many people in need who have not yet been matched, so please consider donating gifts to this very special program. We need flexible donors who are willing to provide gifts for someone of any age in any location, or gift cards for senior citizens, adults, and teens. For information about becoming a donor, please contact the Volunteer Center at 201-489-9454 or visit http://www.bergenvolunteers.org.

$50,000+ in Tools for School


The Northern NJ Business Volunteer Council (BVC), which is sponsored by the Volunteer Center in partnership with Bergen County's United Way, coordinates a back-to-school supply drive early every fall. Member companies of the BVC ask employees and associates to donate school supplies which are then delivered to children from low-income families throughout the state. This year, the BVC collected more than $50,000 in school supplies for needy children. Pictured here are employees from BVC member PSE&G, which collected $15,000 of that amount. A+ for effort!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Do Good - Go Shopping!

While shopping online this holiday season, you can help the Volunteer Center with every purchase. Through igive.com, a percentage of every purchase you make can go to the Volunteer Center, or another charity of your choice. There are over 600 stores to shop from, including favorites like Target, Barnes & Noble, Gap and much more. Just go to igive.com and enter "Volunteer Center of Bergen County" in the cause keyword search. It only takes a minute to register and $5 will be donated to the Volunteer Center right off the bat if you sign up and shop within 45 days. Shop 'til you drop!

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Wednesday, November 7, 2007

It was a Banner week!


For the last week of October, the train trestle at Franklin Avenue in Ridgewood was home to the Volunteer Center banner, encouraging all who passed by to DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD. Keep an eye out for a repeat performance in December, when the banner will grace the same spot for another week.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Bergen LEADS

The Volunteer Center, in partnership with other non-profit and government organizations, businesses, communities of faith and educational institutions, is developing an exciting new program - Bergen LEADS. The goal of Bergen LEADS is to develop strong, visionary leaders in Bergen County by engaging emerging and existing leaders in a variety of learning situations that focus on community issues, leadership skills and trusteeship. The project is being guided by an advisory panel of distinguished community leaders.

The Redlich Horwitz Foundation has offered The Volunteer Center a challenge grant. They will match dollar for dollar all donations up to $31,250, which represents half of the start-up costs. For more information about the program, funding, or participating in the class of 2008, please contact Amanda Missey at amissey@bergenvolunteers.org.

Gear Up for All Wrapped Up

All Wrapped Up, the Volunteer Center's holiday giving program, matches families or individuals in need with willing donors who "adopt" them for the holidays. Forms are on their way to previous donors and we will begin matching donors with those in need on November 5th. For information about becoming a donor, please contact the Volunteer Center at 201-489-9454 or visit http://www.bergenvolunteers.org/holiday-2007.htm.

Banner Graces Ridgewood


Starting on October 29th, be on the lookout for a big and beautiful Volunteer Center banner gracing the Ridgewood train trestle at Franklin Avenue. The banner marks the debut of our new catchphrase, Do Good. Feel Good. Got your camera? Submit your photo of the banner to mailto:blog@bergenvolunteers.org - most creative one gets featured here on our blog!