Opportunities From: Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Northern New Jersey

Children who have access to their own books and are read to as young children develop a love of reading and creates early readers.  Children who love reading do better in school and strengthens success academically.  YOU can help give local children a great start to reading and their future success!

Help United Way provide new books to children whose families are struggling financially by donating or running a new book collection drive as part of our United for Literacy program.  This is an easy way to have an impact.  Organize a collection of new children's books (for ages 3 through 10 years), that will be shared with children who do not have access to books at home through United Way's programs and our nonprofit partners.

There is an online donating option that can be shared with your friends and family, where people can purchase books online for your drive and have them delivered directly to United Way.  Here is the link:

If you need more information or have any questions, please reach out to Lisa Galonardo at lisa.galonardo@unitedwaynnj.org.

Thank you for your interest and for giving young students the tools needed to develop a love of reading!

Kindergarten is the start of a formal school environment for many children.  United Way, as part of our United In Care program, encourages school-readiness and early literacy.  Through this effort, we would like each child at one of our many partner preschools to get a card or letter of encouragement that creates excitement about entering kindergarten.

Volunteering for this project is easy and can be done by ANYONE!  Simply make a card or write a short note of support and encouragement for a new kindergartener.  You can include a favorite memory about your own kindergarten experience or perhaps the titles of your favorite children's books.  Please send your card/letter to United Way of Northern New Jersey at P.O. Box 6835, Bridgewater, NJ  08807 - Attn. Cards for Kindergarten. 

This project can be done by a family, an individual, a Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop, service club or any other type of group.  Sign up TODAY and start making a nice card to encourage continued learning for children entering kindergarten.

United Way of Northern New Jersey works to build a love of reading and early literacy among children from ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and those struggling financially.  One way we do this is providing Reading Bags to children who do not have access to books and other learning materials in their homes. 

You can help by becoming a Book Buddy and providing one or more Reading Bags for a local child.  Simply sign up, then feel free to either run a drive to collect the items needed for the bags or build your own Reading Kit(s) to donate.

Reading Bags can include: 

The Basics:  1-3 new children's books (for ages 2 1/2 to 6 years), a pack of crayons, an activity or coloring book, a bookmark, and a small inspirational card or note (no last names)

Enhancements (one or more of the following):  a small new stuffed animal or pillow, a small snack pack, flash cards with letters, etc.

Items can be shared in reusable bags, decorated canvas bags or drawstring bags.  New books in multiple languages are also welcomed.

Thank you for helping to promote early literacy and the love of reading with young readers!

VVF is looking for volunteers to participate in virtual “visits” with a nursing home resident for as little as 10 minutes. Click the link below to access our signup sheet. After you sign up, you will receive a welcome email with further instructions.

This link will take you to the registration page for this opportunity.

Every year in New Jersey, 341,000 tons of prepared food goes to waste, while nearly 1 million New Jersey residents don’t have enough food to eat. Share My Meals is closing the gap between food waste and hunger by mobilizing volunteers to recover nutritious surplus meals from commercial kitchens and deliver them to local nonprofits that support individuals in need.

About the opportunity:

Share My Meals is looking for dedicated volunteers to pick up donations from a meal donor in East Orange on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at 2pm and deliver them to an amazing nonprofit organization (Joi's Angels) in East Orange (~10 minute drive).  

In order to adhere to food safety guidelines, Share My Meals provides all necessary training and equipment (i.e. insulated bags) to transport food donations safely; volunteers track pick-up and delivery route start and end times using our smart phone app.

Volunteer Requirements:

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Parents may volunteer with their children.

Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license.

Volunteers must provide their own transportation and have the necessary auto insurance (minimum of $300,000 Single Limit or $100,000/$300,000 Split Limit auto liability limits).

Volunteers must have a smartphone with the ability to download our food donation tracking app.

Volunteers must complete Share My Meals onboarding and training before volunteering.

Please note: This is not a one-time volunteer opportunity; we are looking for volunteers who will work together to ensure the weekly route is covered. For instance, it could be that they take turns volunteering each week or decide to pair up together weekly to pick up and deliver meals.  

Sources: https://insights-engine.refed.org/food-waste-monitor?break_by=food_type&indicator=tons-waste&state=NJ&view=detail&year=2023; 

https://www-doh.nj.gov/doh-shad/indicator/summary/FoodInsecurity.html#:~:text=The USDA estimates that in,New Jersey were food insecure. 

Volunteers are needed at the Endorphin Golf Outing & Dinner at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club on Monday June 1st and leading up to the event. Need volunteers for the full time or 4-5 hour shifts. At the event help is needed with: set up, registration, selling mulligans and 50/50 tickets, giving out door prize tickets and goody bags, clean up, silent auction, etc. Outdoors, help is needed at game holes and with the photographer, etc. Leading up to the event, help is needed: hanging flyers, making phone calls, getting door prizes and silent auction items. If you are confident at selling, help is needed selling tee signs.

Greetings,

Compassus Hospice is looking for people who wish to spend a little time each week with people in the final months of their lives. You can be the light in someone’s life. You can bring peace and joy in difficult times with your loving presence. Use your wisdom and your heart to serve your community. Often volunteers spend time conversing, reading, sitting outside, listening to music, playing a game, or simply sharing their loving silence with a person in need. Do you feel called to serve in this manner? If so, please email me at yolanda.briggs@compassus.com or call me at (609) 692-8306.

Opportunities available in various New Jersey! Locations and scheduling are flexible. Training is provided. Reward your heart and your community with meaningful service.

Thank you!

Greetings,

Compassus Hospice is looking for people who wish to spend a little time each week with people in the final months of their lives. You can be the light in someone’s life. You can bring peace and joy in difficult times with your loving presence. Use your wisdom and your heart to serve your community. Often volunteers spend time conversing, reading, sitting outside, listening to music, playing a game, or simply sharing their loving silence with a person in need. Do you feel called to serve in this manner? If so, please email me at yolanda.briggs@compassus.com or call me at (609) 692-8306.

Opportunities available in various New Jersey! Locations and scheduling are flexible. Training is provided. Reward your heart and your community with meaningful service.

Thank you!

Greetings,

Compassus Hospice is looking for people who wish to spend a little time each week with people in the final months of their lives. You can be the light in someone’s life. You can bring peace and joy in difficult times with your loving presence. Use your wisdom and your heart to serve your community. Often volunteers spend time conversing, reading, sitting outside, listening to music, playing a game, or simply sharing their loving silence with a person in need. Do you feel called to serve in this manner? If so, please email me at yolanda.briggs@compassus.com or call me at (609) 692-8306.

Opportunities available in various New Jersey! Locations and scheduling are flexible. Training is provided. Reward your heart and your community with meaningful service.

Thank you!