Thursday, September 28, 2017

Help Hurricane Victims with MedShare

Dear Friends and Volunteers of MedShare,

Like all of you, we’ve watched events in Texas, Florida & Puerto Rico unfold with a heavy heart and a desire to help our fellow citizens. Flooding has displaced thousands and many communities have been entirely cut off by flood waters. Clinics in the area have been cut off from supplies and support. Many hospitals have been evacuated while others are relying on backup systems. Clinics around the state have been inundated with a higher volume of patients as people leave the Houston region for safety. 

MedShare is asking for your support.  We are partnering with the Texas Diaper Bank to help families care for their loved ones, and are collecting basic care items to ship to Houston area medical organizations.  Below is a list of needed items that can be brought to the MedShare warehouse in Secaucus, NJ. 

·        Diapers sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
·        Adult diapers for senior citizens (sizes M/L and L/XL)
·        Pull-ups sizes 2T-3T, 3T-4T,  and 4T-5T
·        Wipes

We are also collecting personal hygiene items:

·        Hand Sanitizer
·        Soap
·        Shampoo
·        Toothpaste
·        Toothbrushes
·        Infant Formula (Powdered only)
·        Dressings
·        Bandages

MedShare will collect, warehouse and deliver all donated items to our partners on the ground.  So that we do not create an additional burden on first responders, we will ship all of the collected supplies based on the needs of our partner organizations. 

MedShare is also closely monitoring Hurricane Irma as it approaches Florida, and will be ready to collect items for the people of that state should they need our support. 

Items can be delivered or shipped to MedShare (701 Penhorn Avenue, Unit #3, Secaucus, NJ 07094).  Drop off hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm, and Saturdays from 9:00am – 12:00pm.

To learn more about MedShare’s current disaster response relief efforts, please click http://www.medshare.org/flood-relief/.  

If you have any questions, please email Jason Montagna, jmontagna@medshare.org.  We are grateful for your ongoing support!    

Monday, September 25, 2017

Meet the Chore Volunteers - Ed L.!

Prior to joining Chore and the Friday, Van #2 crew about  1 ½ years ago, Ed Leone was in the graphic arts business—publishing, printing and distributing trade, higher ed and college text books-- for almost 40 years.  He enjoys golf and working with his hands.  He also volunteers in his town’s Community Band, playing the trumpet, after a hiatus from playing for almost 36 years.  He says he needs a little work, but is looking forward to successfully re-mastering this instrument again this summer!  “In the short time I have been with Chore, I find it is a valuable resource for seniors and disabled persons, to be able to have repairs done, that they no longer can do themselves.  It leaves me with a good feeling that I was able to help our clients make their lives a little better.”


Support Chore and the many other programs at the Bergen Volunteer Center at our Annual Hearts of Gold Gala on Thursday, November 9 at the Stony Hill Inn. Visit bergenvolunteers.org to learn more.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Meet the Chore Volunteers - Bob, John, Lee & Elliott!

Although our name:  ChoreVolunteer Handyman Service is not an acronym, a recent client made this suggestion as to what  “Chore” stands for:  Caring Handypersons Offering Repairs for the Elderly.  What do you think?  Anyone have any other ideas?


Bob Nafash, John Tercek, Lee McQuaid and Elliott Wolk make up the Friday, Chore Van #1 crew.

Mrs. A writes: “Truck Number 1 (John, Elliott, Lee and Bob) are a blessing.  They understand what kind of repairs are important to me.  They were prepared and very helpful.  Chore Service is a gift.”


Support Chore and the many other programs at the Bergen Volunteer Center at our Annual Hearts of Gold Gala on Thursday, November 9 at the Stony Hill Inn. Visit bergenvolunteers.org to learn more.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Meet the Chore Volunteers - Mike, Pete, Tim & Tom!

The volunteers at Chore perform minor home repairs that seniors and disabled homeowners can neither do themselves, nor find anyone else to do so.  Having our clients live safely and comfortably in their own homes has always been our goal.


Mike Schear, Pete Tilgner, Tim Africano and Tom Van Hook are the Wednesday, Chore Van #2 crew.

Mrs. M writes: “I am elated that I can finally use my garden hose without looking like I just came out of the shower! Water was squirting all over the place and ME, until your crew readjusted the hose connection.  The gentlemen who came to assist me were knowledgeable and so polite.  God bless them.  I know it was just a hose, but to me—it was like getting a diamond ring!


Support Chore and the many other programs at the Bergen Volunteer Center at our Annual Hearts of Gold Gala on Thursday, November 9 at the Stony Hill Inn. Visit bergenvolunteers.org to learn more.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Meet the Chore Volunteers - Mike C!

Mike Conlon has been a part of the Friday, Chore van #3 crew for the past 5 years.  Before retiring, he was a heating and air-conditioning engineer with the New York Board of Education.  In his spare time, likes to play golf and enjoy his 19 grandchildren!  “I enjoy meeting all the clients and being able to help them.  I also enjoy interacting with the other Chore volunteers.  This is a valuable service for senior citizens and disabled persons.”


Support Chore and the many other programs at the Bergen Volunteer Center at our Annual Hearts of Gold Gala on Thursday, November 9 at the Stony Hill Inn. Visit bergenvolunteers.org to learn more.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Helping to Destigmatize Recovery from Addiction

The New Jersey Recovery Advocates will be holding their annual event at Liberty State Park on Saturday September 16, 2017 with a walk at 10 am and a concert at noon.


The event will feature bands, food trucks, vendors and speeches surrounding the reality of recovery.

NJ Recovery Advocates is a  grassroots organization that hopes to eliminate the isolation, shame, stigma and discrimination associated with addiction.


Heroin addiction is a growing epidemic, permeating every county. Addiction to opiates, alcohol and other substances are threatening our families, schools, and communities. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding this deadly disease often prevents individuals from seeking the treatment they so desperately need.

Amongst our entertainment, NJRA will feature a salsa band to better attract the marginalized Hispanic community who have been isolated by cultural and language barriers. The festival is free and open to the public.

With the New York City skyline as a backdrop and, most fitting, the Statue of Liberty standing tall and strong, this event will celebrate freedom from addiction. Join New Jersey as they form together to remove the barriers who seek healthy and productive lives in recovery.

The @BCVolunteers and @BergenLEADS are proud to support and promote the work of New Jersey Recovery Advocates. Let's all work together to support those in recovery stay healthy and strong!

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Mentoring Moms Takeover the Parision Beauty Academy for Back to School Makeovers!




Areli and her children from the Mentoring Moms program show off their new stylish haircuts after their appointment at Parisian Beauty Academy. 

Every summer for the past 8 years the Parisian Beauty Academy, a Paul Mitchell Partner School in Hackensack, has invited the Mentoring Moms families to their salon for a private event.  This annual event is a family favorite for mothers who often struggle to make ends meet and can’t afford routine haircuts in a professional salon. The cosmetology students, instructors and staff at Parisian offer free haircuts so that every mom and child who attends the event leaves the salon with a clean haircut, a smile on their face and ready for back to school.

Thank you to the staff of Parisian Beauty Academy for your continued effort to help others in the community.

Monday, September 4, 2017

Meet the Chore Volunteers - Andy!

Andy McDonough has been with Chore for 8 months, as part of the Friday, Van #3 crew.  He worked right out of college for a large construction company in Pennsylvania as a carpenter framing houses.  For most of his career, he was a university professor teaching human anatomy and related subjects to physical therapy students at New York University. In addition to being an adjunct professor at over a dozen schools in the New York-Metro area, he also taught in Taiwan and Russia.  He enjoys woodworking and is a semi-professional photographer.  He also volunteers with Meals on Wheels. “Volunteering with Chore provides me with a chance to help people in the community and spare them some of the expense of hiring carpenters, plumbers and electricians.”


Support Chore and the many other programs at the Bergen Volunteer Center at our Annual Hearts of Gold Gala on Thursday, November 9 at the Stony Hill Inn. Visit bergenvolunteers.org to learn more.