New Jersey Helping Hands

Charities, volunteering and nonprofit organizations in NJ

Lumberton, New Jersey - January 6, 2009: The American Red Cross of Burlington County is the beacon of hope for Burlington County residents in times of disaster. In the last month, the American Red Cross of Burlington County has helped to meet the immediate emergency needs of residents affected by seven home fires. The fourteen adults and six children who were victims received direct financial assistance for food, clothing and shelter following the fires.
Gayle Lynch, Emergency Services Director for the American Red Cross of Burlington County says, "Until you are homeless after a disaster without a place to sleep and worried about getting food and clean clothing for your family, you don't understand the relief our victims feel when the American Red Cross stretches out a hand with compassion and help." Ms. Lynch and the Disaster Action Team volunteers are always ready to reach out to individuals and families in need following a home fire or any disaster that effect our neighbors living within the Chapter's jurisdictional area of Burlington County.
The American Red Cross of Burlington County helps families who are burned out of their home with (depending on the amount of damage) assistance for lodging, food, and clothing. The Red Cross assists active duty military and their families with both emergency communications and referrals for financial assistance. The community and families are taught how to prepare for disasters with preparedness and prevention education, and the collection of blood, the gift of life.
Contributions to help the American Red Cross of Burlington County continue its humanitarian work can be sent to: American Red Cross of Burlington County, 1632 Route 38, Lumberton, New Jersey 08048. For further information, call (609) 267-9595, ext. 105.

Lumberton, New Jersey - January 6, 2009: The American Red Cross of Burlington County is the beacon of hope for Burlington County residents in times of disaster. In the last month, the American Red Cross of Burlington County has helped to meet the immediate emergency needs of residents affected by seven home fires. The fourteen adults and six children who were victims received direct financial assistance for food, clothing and shelter following the fires.
Gayle Lynch, Emergency Services Director for the American Red Cross of Burlington County says, "Until you are homeless after a disaster without a place to sleep and worried about getting food and clean clothing for your family, you don't understand the relief our victims feel when the American Red Cross stretches out a hand with compassion and help." Ms. Lynch and the Disaster Action Team volunteers are always ready to reach out to individuals and families in need following a home fire or any disaster that effect our neighbors living within the Chapter's jurisdictional area of Burlington County.
The American Red Cross of Burlington County helps families who are burned out of their home with (depending on the amount of damage) assistance for lodging, food, and clothing. The Red Cross assists active duty military and their families with both emergency communications and referrals for financial assistance. The community and families are taught how to prepare for disasters with preparedness and prevention education, and the collection of blood, the gift of life.
Contributions to help the American Red Cross of Burlington County continue its humanitarian work can be sent to: American Red Cross of Burlington County, 1632 Route 38, Lumberton, New Jersey 08048. For further information, call (609) 267-9595, ext. 105.

The United Way of Warren County has awarded a $20,000 grant to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen and NORWESCAP to help families in need with energy and housing costs.

This is an urgent request for you and your organization to sign on to a letter to President-elect Obama and Congressional leaders to invest in service and the non-profit sector as part of the upcoming stimulus package.

Because of the fast-moving nature of the stimulus package, it is important that we submit our letter of support with as many signatures as possible no later than January 8, 2009.

Bud Glick/Heart GalleryKevin, DOB: 10/91, and brother Shaquille:, DOB: 9/93

Kevin has spent 12 years in the foster care system.

He likes basketball and football and is planning on going out for the soccer team at school. When he's not in school, he and his friends like to go to the park and ride their skateboards.

In school, Kevin enjoys science and history, but especially science.

"You can find out about how so much stuff is made, " he said.

With the hospice care volunteer work she's done in Belize, Kara Pennino is one of those millions of youngsters challenging the myth of the selfish teenager.

But while the Rochester, N.Y., high school senior always figured her service work might impress a college, she never imagined it could help make college more affordable.

So she was stunned earlier this month when she got her acceptance letter from Drew University in New Jersey. She stopped reading after "Congratulations" to celebrate with her teary-eyed mom. It was mom who noticed the second letter -- telling Kara she'd won a new community service scholarship Drew was offering that would cover her full tuition, which runs just under $36,000 this year.

Christopher Barth/For The Star-LedgerFrom left: Raymond Vella and his nominator Angela Salazar

Raymond Vella is a 2008 New Jersey State Jefferson Award recipient. He was nominated by Angela Salazar, who wrote the following essay describing his service background.

When I think about a recipient of the Jefferson Award, one person comes to mind. Raymond Vella a 32-year-old resident of Elizabeth, who was born and raised in New Jersey. He has always been a family-oriented, hardworking, charismatic individual that always stood out from the rest.

Whether it's hosting a charity event or donating to a charitable cause, he always seems to put the needs of others first. From a young age he has had a dream that is now a reality and continues to grow, that is to form an organization.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is a member of Feeding America

We distributed 23,000,000 pounds of food ...

We served 64,000 meals to children in after school programs through our Kids Cafe program...

Have you received two or three of the same item for the holidays or something you already have or don't need? Instead of waiting in those long lines to return it donate it to the ReStore!

The Morris Habitat for Humanity ReStore opened in May 2007. We sell home improvement supplies and furnishings to the public. All of our items have been donated and all of the proceeds are used to fund Morris Habitat's mission of providing decent, affordable housing.

We have recently expanded into selling on eBay, under the ID "morrisrestore973" http://tinyurl.com/ebaymorrisrestore
We are very flexible in what we can accept in this drive just as long as the donations are new, we'll accept nearly anything that isn't perishable or subject to government regulations.

If you have any questions reguarding regift to the restore please email Anne Schwab or call 973-336-3357.