Celebrate this Summer and Take Action...VOLUNTEER!

Each year on or near June 21, United Ways across the country organize a community-wide day of service called United Way Day of Action. With more daylight hours than any other, the summer solstice is the ideal day to let your actions speak louder than words. It’s the perfect way to show what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Take Action for ALICE^®

United Way of Northern New Jersey is focusing our 2026 Day of Action efforts on helping local ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and their children in our region.  You likely interact with many ALICE individuals every day – community members who are working hard, but still struggling to afford the basics. United Way Day of Action is the perfect way to show your support for these community members.

Join us to help ALICE families this summer to be able to access the basic necessities through one of the projects offered below.  

Volunteers are asked to choose an opportunity to help, including:

- create "Essentials Kits for Essential ALICE" to provide personal care, healthy foods, feminine hygiene products or baby care items to assist ALICE families.

- "Summer Literacy Kits" for preschoolers and younger elementary school students. The kits will include: 2-3 age-appropriate books, a bookmark, pencil, box of crayons and an inspirational card.

- participate as a Book Buddies virtual volunteer and submit a recording of yourself reading a favorite story for early readers (ages 2-6 years).

-create children's food packs that include an assortment of healthy snacks and easy-access meals for children struggling with food security over the summer. 

-participate in Foodstock, collecting critical food and other essential items for families in need.

OR

- kick off your team's participation in the 2026 Tools for School back-to-school program.

For corporate groups looking to participate, United Way will work with you and your team to set up a project that meets your needs.  When registering, please indicate if you are representing a company interested in participating.

For more information, contact Lisa Galonardo at Lisa.Galonardo@unitedwaynnj.org.

Thank you for taking action for ALICE and for Volunteering United!