What's the Buzz at Bergen Volunteers? ❤️

Bergen Volunteers Buzz

November 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:

Thank you to everyone who attended our first ever virtual annual gala on October 20th. In an effort to be as safe as possible, we transitioned the gala to a virtual setting. Even though we weren’t together in person, we shared quarantinis, wonderful music, and lots of inspiration. If you were unable to attend and would like to support our programs click here. Your gift makes a lasting impact on our community and helps us continue to provide important leadership and direct service programs and volunteer opportunities.

Your support is needed now more than ever. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the New Jersey state budget crisis, the state funding for our mentoring programs was eliminated effective October 1, 2020. In order to keep the programs running through December 2020, we have set a fundraising goal of $44,000 to make up the shortfall.

As need rises, we continue to provide our services to the community while implementing safeguards, social distancing, and strategies to ensure the safety and comfort of our clients. Join us on our Get Connected database for volunteer opportunities, our All Wrapped Up holiday gift giving program, or sign up to visit a homebound or isolated senior. Let’s let the spirit of giving propel us to build a better tomorrow.

Program Updates

All Wrapped Up

All Wrapped Up is a holiday gift giving program serving nearly 4,000 low income individuals and families in Bergen County. We are matching donors to people in the community who rely on this program for their only source of holiday gifts. Matching will officially begin on November 9th! Sign up here to become a donor.

Bergen LEADS

Bergen LEADers hit the ground running. Class of 2021 received their project information and met with local and county government leaders. This year's class project will focus on food insecurity in Bergen County. Interested in joining the Bergen County Food Insecurity Task Force? Click here.

Census 2020: Bergen Counts!

The 2020 Census is now over! Thanks to you, Bergen County's self response rate was 76%, which is larger than the national average of 66.8%! Your responses help Bergen County be accurately counted which leads to federal funding for public education, roads, bridges and more!

Making-It-Home

Over the past few months Making-It-Home has collected dozens of beautiful furniture items from 42 generous donors. With their donations we furnished apartments for 38 families. A sincere thank you to our Program Manager, Tim Franco and our reliable volunteers who, in spite of the COVID-related challenges, have helped make all this possible!

Redefining Retirement

Redefining Retirement will host virtual office hours for retired volunteers who are looking to use their expertise and skills to give back to local nonprofits. The Zoom event will be on Tuesday, November 17, at 11:00 am. A presentation will be followed by Q and A. To register email retirement@bergenvolunteers.org.

Support Our Mentees!

We are in the process of evaluating and visioning our mentoring programs. We formed a Mentoring Task Force and are creating a survey to help assess current mentoring needs in Bergen County.

Please be on the lookout for a future email containing our survey. Your insight and participation are strongly appreciated.

If you would like to learn more about how you can help, please email Kimberly at kmalone@bergenvolunteers.org.