We
are so excited about the success of our first Veterans Resource Fair, held on
April 20th. The collection focused on spring/summer supplies and clothing
needed to help out the needy and homeless veterans of Bergen County.
This
project was a partnership with the Bergen County Bureau of Veterans Affairs and
Ashley Crawley, high school student and candidate for the Girl Scout’s most
prestigious honor, the Gold Award. Volunteers from BCB Bank, Suez, Five
Star Premier Residence, Backpacks for Life, and Atlantic Stewardship Bank were
also on hand to sort items, serve food, offer financial literacy lessons and
provide “personal shopping” for each of the veterans in attendance.
“It
was a heartwarming experience spending time with the Veterans who attended the
Bergen Volunteer Center Veteran's Resource Fair,” said Paul Van Ostenbridge,
President and CEO of Atlantic Stewardship Bank.
“I had the opportunity to assist one of my new friends in preparing for
a job interview and it left us both feeling extremely positive. Another Veteran shared with me that he was in
Vietnam and when he returned to the states, there were no programs like this
one. He was sincerely grateful for the
care and friendliness shown during his visit to the Resource Fair.”
Individuals,
families, civic groups, faith-based organizations, our non-profit partners and
our corporate neighbors supported the event through donations of much needed
toiletries, new clothing, and gift cards.
“This
event was an uplifting opportunity for volunteers to give back to people who
have served our country. We look forward to hosting this event in the
future. Working together, we know we can
accomplish so much for these deserving men and women who have supported our
country,” remarks Debbie Emery, Director of Community Engagement for the Bergen
Volunteer Center.
A
very special thank you to our sponsors of the Veteran’s Fair: BCB Bank, Five Star Premier Residence, and the
Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce.
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