Across the state today, thousands of volunteers will brighten dull walls with fresh paint, restore structures damaged by Hurricane Sandy and serve hot meals or collect winter coats for the homeless. And it’s all in honor of a civil rights pioneer.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, organized by Jersey Cares, will bring together an estimated 2,000 volunteers for 40 service projects in 14 New Jersey counties.
“Strengthening our communities through volunteer work is a wonderful way to honor Dr. King’s legacy,” said Brian Dean, executive director of Jersey Cares.
As part of its mission, the nonprofit group also organizes donations; one of its longest-running and most successful events is the Jersey Cares coat drive. Organizers hope to collect at least 60,000 coats this winter through the annual drive.
Jersey Cares partners with local nonprofit organizations and schools throughout the year, training volunteer leaders to address the most urgent needs in communities across the state. Volunteers have clocked thousands of hours of service by mentoring troubled teens, restoring the environment, visiting seniors, assisting those with special needs and tutoring school children, according to Sherry Lynn Fazio, senior director of external affairs.
Last year, volunteers created sensory activity kits for students with learning disabilities.
“These projects embody Dr. King’s vision and bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, and bridge social barriers,” Dean says.
In most cases, volunteers must be at least 4 years old to work on site. Event sites are closed after the volunteer need is met. Volunteers are advised to wear clothes they feel comfortable getting dirty and to call ahead for the availability of events.
A sampling of events is listed below. For a complete list or more information, visit jerseycares.org.
Let us know how you’re serving your community today in the comments below, and use the hashtag #MLKdayNJ to tweet pics of your volunteer efforts!
Volunteers paint a mural at Rafael de J. Cordero P.S. 37 in Jersey City last year, at a Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event.
Sort It Out in Paramus
Jersey Cares Coat Drive Container Site, Paramus Catholic High School, 425 Paramus Road, Paramus. Volunteers will sort and distribute coats to partner agencies in the surrounding community. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Site captain: Heather Messer, (201) 788-5413.
Moving on up in Newark
Jersey Cares Storage Space, 1448 McCarter Highway, Newark. Volunteers will help organize Jersey Cares supplies, which have been used across the state for Hurricane Sandy relief and other volunteer projects. 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m. Site captain: Kaitlyn Brady, (732) 331-8093.
Brightening Lives Brightening Walls in Jersey City
Rafael de J. Cordero Public School No. 37, 158 Erie St., Jersey City. Volunteer will paint murals and the school’s kitchen, create no-sew fleece blankets, bake cupcakes, assist students in creating “I Have a Dream Pillowcases” and assemble welcome home painting kits to be donated to families still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. 9 a.m. to noon. Site captain: Ian O’Loughlin, (908) 216-3717.
Sort It Out in Belmar
Jersey Cares Coat Drive Container Site, Belmar Borough Hall, 601 Main St., Belmar. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Site captain: Sherry Lynn Fazio, (973) 964-9693.
Hurricane Sandy Recovery in Union Beach
Gateway Church of Christ, Union Beach Borough Hall, 650 Poole Ave., Union Beach. The Gateway Church has been integral in assisting home owners affected by Hurricane Sandy throughout Monmouth County, providing home repairs. 9 a.m. to noon. Site captain: Sherry Lynn Fazio, (973) 964-9693.
RELATED COVERAGE:
• MLK Day of Service in NJ: How are you helping?
• Celebrating MLK’s message: NJPAC marks activist’s life
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