Embracing the Joy of Giving Back |
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Dear Friend,
There’s something special that happens at this time of the year. People smile more, children brim with excitement, and a kinder, more giving spirit is in the air.
Across the world, different cultures and ethnicities celebrate a time for giving and the transition from one year to another in diverse ways. In our western culture, the most prevalent tradition is Christmas, which many believe herald the birth of the Christ child on earth. Kwanzaa is an African American celebration that unites families and the community as they give thanks. Diwali is a five-day celebration of lights symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness in India.
The common component running through these celebrations is the call to share and give. There is an overarching message of unity, love, and extending oneself for others.
The holidays can be scary for many people; some battle isolation, depression, and loneliness. Others experience food insecurity and even homelessness. Thankfully, most of us will never know the uncertainty of not having a place to call home or having to wonder where our next meal will come from, but we can do something to help those who face these challenges.
To give back without expecting something in return is truly powerful. Giving back to others should not be about receiving something in return but appreciating the blessings in our lives.
Giving back should not be about getting a tax write-off or getting rid of excess clothes; rather, it should be about being our brother’s and sister’s keepers. It should be about caring when we see a child shivering in the cold. It should be about putting a smile on the face of someone else. It should be about feeding those who are hungry. It should be about a community helping each other. It should be about the strong supporting the weak, and passing along the blessings we receive.
I may be an idealist, but I believe that if everyone committed to helping just one other person in a meaningful way, we could alleviate hunger. In the words of Mother Teresa, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” We can reduce the number of homeless persons, lift the spirits of someone who feels isolated, and blaze a warm trail of unity across our community and even the world.
Earlier this year, we started a movement called Love Plainfield to remind us to take pride in our city and to show tangible actions of love to our neighbors and our environment. We can embrace this concept of showing love in all its forms and commit to giving back or paying it forward to someone who needs it this holiday season.
This holiday, I challenge everyone to embrace the essence of giving back without expectation and practice receiving with jubilation and gratitude. I encourage you to hug your families a little more this season, tell them how much you love them because giving is not just about the physical act of getting or giving presents. We have limited time on this planet; we can choose to spend our time here in an elevated state of gratitude for life and those around us. Giving is a demonstration of infinite love; giving acknowledges caring and reciprocity. Giving can serve as an important reminder that kindness embodies abundance, and to cultivate an essence of prosperity, we must fully embrace and appreciate life in its fullness. In this way, we can move away from a sense of lack and fully embrace a sense of fulfillment.
#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
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Abrazando La Alegría Retribuir |
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Querido Friend,
Hay algo especial que sucede en esta época del año. La gente sonríe más, los niños rebosan de emoción, y un espíritu más amable y generoso está en el aire.
En todo el mundo, diferentes culturas y etnias celebran un momento para dar y la transición de un año a otro de diversas maneras. En nuestra cultura occidental, la tradición más frecuente es la Navidad, que muchos creen que anuncia el nacimiento del niño Jesús en la tierra. Kwanzaa es una celebración afroamericana que une a las familias y la comunidad mientras dan gracias. Diwali es una celebración de cinco días de luces que simbolizan el triunfo del bien sobre el mal y la luz sobre la oscuridad en la India.
El componente común que atraviesa estas celebraciones es el llamado a compartir y dar. Hay un mensaje general de unidad, amor y extensión por los demás.
Las vacaciones pueden ser aterrador para muchas personas; algunos luchan contra el aislamiento, la depresión y la soledad. Otros experimentan inseguridades alimentarias y incluso falta de un hogar. Afortunadamente, la mayoría de nosotros nunca conoceremos la incertidumbre de no tener un lugar al que llamar hogar o tener que preguntarnos de dónde vendrá nuestra próxima comida, pero podemos hacer algo para ayudar aquellos que enfrentan estos desafíos.
Retribuir sin esperar algo a cambio es realmente poderoso. Retribuir a los demás no debe ser solo para recibir algo a cambio, sino para apreciar las bendiciones en nuestras vidas. Retribuir no debe ser sobre obtener una conversión de impuestos o deshacerse del exceso de ropa; más bien, debería ser sobre la oportunidad de ser los guardianes de nuestros hermanos y hermanas. Debería ser sobre el sentimiento de importancia que sentimos cuando vemos a un niño temblando en el frío. Debería ser sobre poner una sonrisa en la cara de otra persona. Debería ser sobre alimentar a los que tienen hambre. Debe ser sobre una comunidad que se ayuda mutuamente. Debería ser sobre que los fuertes apoyando a los débiles, y transmitiendo las bendiciones que recibimos.
Puedo ser un idealista, pero creo que si todos se comprometieran a ayudar a otra persona de una manera significativa, podríamos aliviar el hambre. En palabras de la Madre Teresa, "Si no puedes alimentar a cien personas, entonces alimenta a solo una". Podemos reducir el número de personas sin hogar, levantar el ánimo de alguien que se siente aislado y traer un camino de unidad en toda nuestra comunidad e incluso en el mundo.
A principios de este año, comenzamos un movimiento llamado Amo Plainfield para recordarnos que debemos enorgullecernos de nuestra ciudad y mostrar acciones tangibles de amor a nuestros vecinos y nuestro medio ambiente. Podemos adoptar este concepto de mostrar amor en todas sus formas y comprometernos a retribuir o hacerlo mismo que alguien hiso para mí a alguien que lo necesite en esta temporada navideña.
En estas fiestas, Les propongo un desafío a todos, abrazar la esencia de retribuir sin expectativas y practiquen recibir con humildad y gratitud. Te animo a que abraces un poco más a tus familias esta temporada, diles cuánto los amas porque dar no se trata solo del acto físico de recibir o dar regalos. Tenemos un tiempo limitado en este planeta; podemos elegir pasar nuestro tiempo aquí en un estado elevado de gratitud por la vida y los que nos rodean. Dar es una demostración de amor infinito; dar reconoce el cuidado y la reciprocidad. Dar puede servir como un recordatorio importante de que la bondad encarna la abundancia, y para cultivar una esencia de prosperidad, debemos abrazar y apreciar plenamente la vida en su plenitud. De esta manera, podemos alejarnos de una sensación de carencia y abrazar completamente una sensación de plenitud.
#AmoPlainfield #LovePlainfield
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The Power of Giving Back | Les Brown |
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CITY OF PLAINFIELD | Vaccine Lottery
Drawing Today And Vaccine Clinic Locations
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Stay tuned to find out who the Vaccine Lottery Winners are for the month of November. The drawing will take place this evening and will be streamed LIVE on the City's Facebook page at City of Plainfield Facebook Page at 5:30pm.
Reminder - there is one lottery drawing left for the month of December. If you haven't already received your COVID-19 vaccine please visit one of the pop-up locations throughout the City.
Tomorrow, Saturday December 11th from 11:00am - 2:00pm at the Plainfield Tower West located at 604 West 7th, Plainfield BOTH the COVID-19 Vaccines, Booster and Flu Shots will be available. Let's continue to do our part to keep our families, friends and neighbors safe everyday but especially during the holiday season.
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Congratulations to our previous winners:
October: Jose Lopez Canel, Roxana Perez, Adriel Jimenez, Daniel Wells
September: Cynise Reaves, Jose Membrano, Marco Jocho
August: Celestino Garcia, Ventura Perez Hernandez, Sergio Monvou, and Mari
Livia Finzo.
July: Jorge Ichina, Guadalupe Aguilar, Melina Coleman, Katherine Costro
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VACCINE UPDATE - For the month of October 209 individuals received the first dose and 196 individuals received the second dose of the vaccine.
Get vaccinated through the City of Plainfield, Union County, the Neighborhood Health Center, or any other approved Plainfield location for your chance to win $5,000. Plainfield residents must be 18 years or older to qualify, and proof of residency must be shown at the time of vaccination. Four winners, two who received their first dose and two who obtained their second dose, will be chosen each month until December 31, 2021.
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We are committed to keeping our residents and community safe. The below schedule highlights locations throughout the City until January 18th. Some locations will also provide flu shots. Review for the location convenient for you and your family. |
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MEDIA ALERT | Collaboration on New
Community Resource Center At Joanne Hollis Garden Townhouse Complex
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UPCOMING | City Council's December Meeting
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UPDATE | CHAP Program Still Available to Plainfield Residents
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Attention Plainfield Residents - the Comprehensive Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) still has financial assistance available to rehabilitate one, two and three family homes. The program aids in the removal of unsafe plumbing, electric, etc.
Contact Donna Morris with the Community Development Division at donna.morris@plainfieldnj.gov or 908.753.3377 for eligibility requirements and additional information.
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THE SENIOR CENTER IS OPEN |
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SEASON OF GIVING | Emergency Food Distribution |
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#LOVEPLAINFIELD | #AMOPLAINFIELD
SPOTLIGHT
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Welcome to the City of Plainfield! Our annual Fall Newsletter has been mailed to all households. To view click the below image.
#LovePlainfieldNJ #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
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UNION COUNTY: Celebrate the Holiday Season with Model Trains and Food Trucks
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COVID-19 safety protocols apply at this event |
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Model train lovers in Union County can once again enjoy a beloved seasonal tradition, as the Model Railroad Club opens its doors for the new Holiday Train Show and Open House series beginning on Friday, November 26.
Featuring an elaborate, multi-track HO layout and much more, the shows will take place at the club’s headquarters and workshop, the A. Paul Mallory Model Railroad Center, located at 295 Jefferson Avenue in Union Township behind the Home Depot off Route 22 East.
For the first time, food trucks will be on site during the holiday shows, offering a variety of meals and snacks for purchase.
“Sharing the holiday season with the Model Railroad Club has been a favorite family activity in Union County and beyond. We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the new train shows and learn more about the art and craft of running model railroads,” said Union County Commission Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
The 2021 Train Show and Open House series begins Friday, November 26 and continues for the weekends of November 27-28, December 4-5, and December 11-12. Hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.
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FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Making More Families Eligible for the State's Child and
Dependent Care Tax Credit
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TRENTON, NJ - As part of his continued commitment to help working families recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S4065/A6071) that will make significantly more New Jersey families eligible for the state’s Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. The legislation will make taxpayers with incomes of $150,000 or less per year who incur expenses for childcare and other household expenses eligible for the credit for starting in tax year 2021. Under current law, only taxpayers with incomes of to $60,000 or less are eligible. The expanded state credit is based on the federal credit which underwent a significant expansion for tax year 2021 through the American Rescue Plan.
“The COVID-19 pandemic led many working parents—and working mothers in particular—to leave the workforce due to childcare challenges,” said Governor Murphy. “This legislation will help ensure affordable access to childcare, a critical part of getting hardworking New Jerseyans back into the workforce and reversing the ‘she-cession’ caused by the pandemic.”
The bill also revises the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit so it is refundable in 2021 and removes the current caps of $500 for employment-related expenses paid by the taxpayer for one child or dependent and $1,000 for employment-related expenses paid by the taxpayer for two or more children or dependents.
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FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
The Biden-Harris Administration is Taking Action to Restore and Strengthen American Democracy
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From the first day in office and every day since, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken decisive action to restore and strengthen American democracy, from cracking down on corruption and promoting transparency to taking critical steps to ensure the federal government works for every American — no matter what they look like or where they live. This cause will be a guiding principle throughout the President’s time in office, and that includes prioritizing the fight to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect the sacred right to vote in free, fair, and secure elections.
Sustaining democracy is also a shared challenge and commitment for our allies and partners overseas. Against the backdrop of a rise in authoritarianism and increasing threats to democracy around the world, President Biden is convening world leaders for a Summit for Democracy to provide an opportunity to listen, learn, and share how governments and non-governmental actors can strengthen their commitment to democratic principles and practices, and their responsiveness to the people they serve.
As President Biden made clear in his first Address to the Joint Session of Congress on April 28, 2021, “We have to prove democracy still works — that our government still works and we can deliver for our people.” Demonstrating that democracy can deliver to improve people’s lives and address the greatest challenges of our time — and that we, the people, can work together to address the threats facing our democracy — is at the heart of the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to Build Back Better.
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Issue or Concern ? Report it |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate city department, and the city will work to resolve the issue or complaint.
You have the power to be the eyes and ears of our city! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in Plainfield. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with Report It.
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As we navigate these uncertain times please know that everyone at City Hall is working to ensure that you are safe, secure and healthy. If you need anything addition please contact us at 908.753.3000
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Please have family and friends sign up to receive these important weekly updates. They can sign up by calling 908.753.3015 or emailing communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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One Plainfield. One Future |
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