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.

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/.