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Volunteer Solutions
- Volunteer Center of
Hunterdon County
Volunteers are always needed for many projects throughout the county.
That's why we are so happy to feature "Volunteer Solutions",
an interactive tool that allows you to search a database of local volunteer
opportunities in our community.
Click
Here to View the Current List of Volunteer Opportunities
United Way Needs Your Help
There are more than 1,400 independent and autonomous United Ways in the
United States. Although many United Ways employ at least one full-time
staff person to operate year-round, all United Ways are basically volunteer
organizations. It is local volunteers who:
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Serve as directors, legally responsible for
the organization's affairs.
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Conduct the annual fund-raising campaign. |
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Make planning and fund distribution
decisions through a volunteer committee process.
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If you would like to more information,
please call 908.713.1555 or contact us via email at volunteer@uwhunterdon.org
Caring Connections
Employee groups looking to offer their time and energy turn to United Way for
dozens of local volunteer opportunities. Our Caring Connections
program offers flexibility in choosing from several types of community impact
projects. For more information please call 908.713.1555 or contact us via
email at volunteer@uwhunterdon.org
Basket of Caring
Basket of Caring is an annual project coordinated by the United Way offering
Merck & Co., Inc. employees an opportunity to contribute to those in need in
Hunterdon County.
The United Way works with their 26 partner agencies to discern specific needs
and then in turn works with the Basket of Caring Committee at Merck to meet
those needs. The baskets are filled with back-to-school supplies, household
items and much more. The committee includes Merck volunteers who solicit
donations to the baskets from within the company. Basket of Caring has been an
on-going project with Merck & Co. Inc. and the United Way of Hunterdon County
for more than 10 years. This program has resulted in the dispersal of more than
1,100 baskets over the years.
Day of Caring
On a Friday each Fall, United Way of Hunterdon County sponsors its annual Day
of Caring event. Day of Caring is a unique opportunity for members of the
community to go to local United Way health and human service member agencies to
work on various community service projects. By providing community service
opportunities each Day of Caring, the United Way of Hunterdon County is
enhancing the local spirit of volunteerism and helping to build a caring
community. We are linking those who CAN help with those who NEED help. The
volunteers from local corporations, organizations, and schools are able to help
the member agencies in a substantial, physical way, while being able to
experience the atmosphere of agencies that benefit from the annual United Way
Campaign.
Day of Caring is also the kick-off event for the Annual United Way Campaign.
It begins with a complimentary breakfast hosted by a local company. Invited
guests include all Day of Caring volunteers, as well as local campaign
coordinators, company and community leaders, United Way fund distribution
volunteers, the United Way Board of Trustees, and of course, the United Way
Campaign Team.
On this day, a variety of projects take place - many volunteers will be
painting walls, cleaning windows, landscaping and winterizing the grounds at
various locations. From manicures and musical performances at local Adult Day
Care Centers to spending time with developmentally disabled clients to working
on craft projects with the children at a local day care center, our Day of
Caring volunteers are out in the community with enthusiasm and gusto!
Holiday Hands
A Caring Connections Program
This program started in 1998 as a Caring Connections project that BOC Gases
called “Helping Hands”. The program has continued to grow over the years as
more and more companies, organizations, schools and individuals become
involved.
For this project, now known as “Holiday Hands,” a request is sent out to
agencies to provide the United Way of Hunterdon County with a list of clients
and a suggested/ requested gift that the client would like for the holiday
season. Once the United Way starts receiving the requests, the staff begins
sending the names out to the companies (as well as organizations, schools,
individual donors, etc.). Each company can then personalize how the program
will be run in their office.
As an example in the first year of the program, BOC Gases wrote the names of
the clients with the requested gift on a tag. The tags were then chosen by
employees who purchased and wrapped the gift. Confidentiality was protected by
only identifying the receiving agency by color of the tag, which was assigned
and kept confidential by the United Way of Hunterdon County. A date was then
arranged for agency pick-up of the gifts from BOC Gases.
The program has evolved, but continues every year in the same basic format.
The United Way of Hunterdon County staff matches local companies with agency
clients. Then, the companies distribute the client names for the employees to
purchase, wrap, and bring their gift back to their office. Finally, a date is
set for the agency to go to the company and pick up all of the wrapped gifts
which are brought back to their agency and distributed to their clients in time
for the holidays!
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