Party Hearty at the Volunteer Center!

Several Volunteer Center programs enjoyed recent festivities, with volunteers and sponsors making merry in myriad ways.

A luncheon honored 35 volunteers with our Chore Service for their dedication and hard work. This amazing crew does home repairs that keep the elderly and people with disabilities safe in their homes.

More than 100 Mentors and kids in our Volunteers in Protective Services (VIPS) program had a great time rocking around the Christmas tree with DJ Scott Reddin and enjoying goodies from Inserra Supermarkets. Gifts for kids were donated by Quest Diagnostics, Benjamin Moore & Co. and Hunter Douglas, a volunteers from Bergen Community College, Fairleigh Dickinson U. and NYU assisted with a multitude of tasks. VIPS mentors help kids who have experienced abuse or neglect see and take steps to achieve a brighter future.

Mentors, moms and their families associated with our Mentoring Moms program -- more than 200 people! -- enjoyed a delightful breakfast with Santa. Numerous groups dished out delicacies, coordinated crafts projects, and provided every child and mom with a gift: Capitol One, Eisai, Inc Information Technology Department, 'energy', Church of the Atonement, Holy Trinity Church, Quest Diagnostics, Mocha Moms, Costco, Christ Lutheran Church, TD Bank, UPS, Bethel Ministries, Consolidated Dairies and Whitney H. Roddy Inc. Tara Perino, of KPMG, was our fabulous DJ and many other individuals helped with the party. Mentoring Moms volunteers help overwhelmed mothers who seek guidance in parenting and life skills and in moving from welfare to work.

The Alumni of Bergen LEADS toasted the season at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, where they also collected toys, gifts and gift cards for families in need. Recruitment for the 2011 Bergen LEADS class begins just after the New Year.

The elves staffing our All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving Program continues to work fiendishly, matching donors from the community with individuals and families who need help this holiday season. We need more donors! Contact Debbie Emery at 201-489-9454, ext 118, or email demery@bergenvolunteers.org if you want to help!