Thursday, December 20, 2012

Season's Greetings

Happy Holidays
from the Volunteer Center of Bergen County
 
 
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday and new year.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Giving good makes good things happen.

Good things happen every day because of the Volunteer Center...

A woman who is elderly, low-income and lives alone is going through chemotherapy.  The Chore Service volunteers installed a grab bar in her bathroom and made other repairs so she can live safely in her home.  She calls them her "angels".
 
A young woman who escaped an abusive relationship is raising three teenagers on her own, on very limited income.  With the support of her Mentoring Moms mentor, she was able to get a scholarship to attend college with a major in Finance, and is due to graduate this year.
 
A young boy with severe learning disabilities is cared for by his elderly grandmother because his parents are not able to be in his life.  Thanks to 7 years of love and guidance from his Mentoring Youth mentor, the boy is able to succeed in school and is now attending a technical high school to learn a trade so he can live independently as an adult. 

This holiday season you, too, can make good things happen.  Support the Volunteer Center of Bergen County with a general donation, a donation to a specific program, or by giving the "gift of good" - a donation in honor of someone special.    
 

Click here to donate now.
Do Good.  Feel Good.  Give Good. 

 Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

500 gifts still needed for All Wrapped Up

The All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving Program still has 500 people in need of gifts for the holidays. Many of these people are adults with disabilities, seniors with very little income, and families trying to make ends meet.  The program is due to close on Friday, December 14 so gift cards will help make sure each person receives a gift.  Gift cards in demolitions of $ $10, $20, or $25 to stores like Target, Kohls, Dunkin' Donuts, and Shoprite are most helpful.

Gift cards can be dropped off at the Volunteer Center through Friday between 9:00am and 4:00pm.  Gift cards can also be mailed to 64 Passaic Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.  If you would still like to adopt a family please call Debbie Emery at
201-489-9454, ext. 118.  Visit us on our website to learn more about All Wrapped Up.

Friday, December 7, 2012

BoardLink: Connecting Leaders with Non-profit Organizations


BergenLEADS, Bergen County’s premier civic leadership program that is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, will present an evening workshop on board service for individuals who wish to serve on a non-profit board or for those already engaged as a board member.
 
“Serving on a non-profit board can provide recognition, visibility, networking, career enhancement and the ability to effect change by addressing important social needs,” says Amanda Missey, Director of Bergen LEADS.  “But along with the benefits comes responsibility to help the organization accomplish its mission and achieve its goals.”
 
BoardLink will be presented on Wednesday, January 23, from 3 pm to 9 pm at IKEA, 100 Ikea Drive in Paramus, directions/parking information will be provided upon registration.   Cost to attend is $100 per person, which includes dinner and all course materials.  A group rate of 3 registrations for $175 is also available to agencies that are members of the Volunteer Center.  Pre-registration is required for this limited-seating program.  Registeron-line here or call 201-489-9454 Ext. 119.
 
New Jersey is home to more than 31,000 non-profit organizations, with 3,600 in Bergen County alone. These organizations employ 10% of the workforce and spend more than $38 billion annually, constituting a significant portion of the state’s economy.   A non-profit organization is only as strong as its leadership, and local non-profit boards are eagerly seeking skilled and knowledgeable volunteers to help guide their organizations.
 
For more information about Bergen LEADS, or the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, visit www.bergenvolunteers.org, or call 201-489-9454.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Want to Make a Difference? Put Time and Talent to Good Use!

Thousands of people —families, the elderly, veterans, kids and more—rely on non-profit agencies to provide important services year round.  Non-profits improve the quality of life by supporting the arts, animal rescue, and the environment as well.  Volunteers’ interests and unique skills can help deliver vital services during a time when many non-profit agencies find their resources stretched by declining revenue and increased demand.
 
To get started, the Volunteer Center of Bergen County offers a powerful online database that links prospective volunteers with volunteer jobs at agencies that need help.  Check it out!
 
Individual volunteer opportunities, group projects, at-home projects and family friendly volunteering -- as well as volunteer positions for students and youth groups – all are easily accessed through the website.
 
For further information about volunteering, call the Volunteer Center at (201) 489-9454, email info@bergenvolunteers.org or visit www.bergenvolunteers.org.