What's the Buzz at Bergen Volunteers? ❤️

Bergen Volunteers Buzz

December 2020

What is the Buzz?

Bergen Volunteers Buzz is our newsletter highlighting organizational news, events, updates, and volunteer opportunities. Look out for our newsletter at the beginning of every month to stay connected with your friends at Bergen Volunteers!

Note from Nina:

Welcome December!

The holiday season is quickly approaching and there are many ways to safely give back to our community through Bergen Volunteers.

Here's how you can help:

-Reach out to Bergen Volunteers and we can help you find volunteer opportunities that are meaningful to you in our volunteer database. We have hundreds of volunteer options available for you to make a difference in your community.

-Volunteer with us in one of our direct-service programs. Your committment will help Bergen Volunteers:

· Empower a struggling student with a reading support buddy

· Connect isolated individuals with cheerful visits and home repairs

· Furnish a home for a formerly homeless individual

· Supply free tax filing assistance for low-income individuals

· Send a low-income child to summer camp

· Match youth and caregivers in need of a supportive mentor

If you would like to support Bergen Volunteers through an end of the year gift please navigate here or text "BergenVolunteer" to 91-999. With your support we will continue to serve youth, families, seniors, veterans, and those that are economically disadvantaged.

Your donation, big or small will help impact thousands

of individuals living in our community.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.

Warmly,

Nina

Program Updates

All Wrapped Up

Bergen Volunteers received tremendous donor support for All Wrapped Up! We matched over 600 individuals and 400 families across 16 partner agencies. We are still in need of gift-card donations to support many of our families! For information on how you can help, please contact Debbie Emery at demery@bergenvolunteers.org

or 201-489-9454, x202 or donate here.

Bergen LEADS

The Class of 2021 was joined by Mike Maron, CEO of Holy Name Medical Center, Deborah Visconi, CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, and Donnalee Corrieri, Chief Communication and Outreach Office at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. Their discussion focused on healthcare delivery and programming through the COVID-19 pandemic. LEADERS learned about combating the rising cases and were encouraged to continue social distancing and mask wearing.

Redefining Retirement

Redefining Retirement held virtual office hours on Tuesday, November 17 and had an excellent turnout of new retirees interested in volunteer opportunities! If you want to learn more reach out to retirement@bergenvolunteers.org today!

Support Our Mentees!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Community Needs Assessment Survey. The results will help guide us as we shape the future of our mentoring programs.

If you have not taken the survey yet please complete it here!

Volunteer Opportunities

Be a helping hand for seniors in your community by joining the CHEER program!

Volunteers are matched with a local senior citizen who needs help with grocery shopping. This is a great opportunity to promote socialization for an invisible community pushed into even further isolation due to the pandemic.

For more information email successfulaging@bergenvolunteers.org or call 201-489-9454 ext. 203.

Are you handy? Do friends call on you to fix little jobs around the house? Yes?

We’re looking for someone like you!

CHORE helps Bergen County senior citizens by performing minor household repairs. This includes installing grabs bars, changing light bulbs, and minor electrical/plumbing.

For more information email successfulaging@bergenvolunteers.org or call 201-489-7790.

Agency Spotlight: Center for Food Action

The Center for Food Action provides emergency services to northern New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents. Their mission is to prevent hunger and homelessness and improve the lives of individuals and families living in poverty.

The Center for Food Action is currently in need of donations of paper products, cleaning supplies and diapers size 4, 5, and 6. These items can be donated to any of their locations in Bergen County.

For more information please contact Valerie Anderson, Volunteer & Supporter Engagement Coordinator at vanderson@cfanj.org or by phone at 201-569-1804 x15.

Food Insecurity Volunteer Opportunities

Support our Mentoring Matches!

Usually we celebrate our graduating mentoring matches at our holiday party. Due to COVID it has been cancelled this year,

so we’re getting creative!

Make an impact right now.

Every $25 donated purchases a gift certificate for our mentees and mentors to enjoy a meal together to celebrate their graduation!

Bergen Volunteers bergenvolunteers.org