New Jersey MENTOR and REM New Jersey Participate in The MENTOR Network’s Third Annual National Volunteer Day
05/28/2015
Employees, individuals served, family members, and friends of REM New Jersey and New Jersey MENTOR came together on Saturday, April 25 to participate in The Network’s third annual National Volunteer Day. Over 130 individuals volunteered their time to make a difference at Lawnside Borough Park and The Community Food Bank of New Jersey. Those at the park raked leaves and cleared trails of sticks and debris. Others assembled 1,500 snack packs for the Boys and Girls Club. The group at the food bank sorted and packed 224 food boxes.
“We were pleased to have the opportunity for New Jersey MENTOR and REM New Jersey to come together to serve the communities where we live and work,” said Joanne Kirk, Executive Director of New Jersey MENTOR. “This year we had teams at two service locations including a Union County Food Bank and a local Camden County park. At the park, employees spruced up the grounds and also assembled snack packs to benefit the children of shore area Boys and Girls Clubs. Our employees work hard every day making a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve and I’m thrilled by how many joined us for this event to make a difference for the community at-large.”
As activities were going on in New Jersey, there were also over 2,000 others from across The MENTOR Network simultaneously completing 50 service projects in 16 other states. All four operating groups of The MENTOR Network were represented: Redwood, Hastings, CareMeridian and NeuroRestorative. Employees from the corporate headquarters and Shared Service Center in North Andover also participated.
Some projects included painting and gardening projects, sorting food donations at food banks and Goodwill stores, helping at charitable fundraisers and thrift stores, serving meals at soup kitchens, participating in food drives, and cleaning up at various Boys & Girls Clubs.
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the great success of The Network’s third annual National Volunteer Day,” said Bruce Nardella, President and CEO of The MENTOR Network. “It’s inspiring to see so many of our employees excited about giving back to the communities in which we live and work, extending our mission of service to the community at-large by taking time to volunteer along with family members, friends, and consumers we serve. I’m proud to work alongside such dedicated individuals, and look forward to seeing how far this event will grow in the future!”