8 Ways To Volunteer In Bergen County

Be nice, Bergenites! Show each other a little appreciation on National Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Anastasiia Chokhliad,
4 Volunteer

 

New Jerseyans are known for having rough and tough attitudes, but that doesn’t mean we’re not capable of showing a little love toward a total stranger. Some of us do it daily without a second thought—holding a door open for a deliveryman or wishing a good day to a cashier, for instance—but there’s no better time to “do unto others” than Feb. 17, National Random Acts of Kindness Day.

What exactly can you do to create a kinder, gentler world—even if it’s just for one day? There are simple things: Pick up the tab for the person behind you on the Starbucks drive-through line; send flowers to a hospital and ask staff to give them to a random patient or simply leave a kind note for someone during your travels. In Bergen County, we have the opportunity to make an even bigger impact on someone’s life by volunteering with a local organization or nonprofit. Below is a list of groups where anyone can make a difference—on Feb. 17 or any day of the year:

  • Bergen CASA, 1 Bergen County Plz., Hackensack, 201.336.7520. This nonprofit supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for children in the foster system.
  • Bergen Volunteers, 64 Passaic St., Hackensack, 201.489.9454. The organization provides leadership and professional development for Bergen County residents.
  • Center for Food Action, 192 W. Demarest Ave., Englewood, 201.569.1804. This food pantry provides food packages and homelessness prevention assistance to individuals and families in need.
  • Family Promise of Bergen County, 100 Dayton St., Ridgewood, 201.833.8009. Volunteers here help homeless working families become self-sufficient.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, 121 Carver Ave., Westwood, 201.457.1020. This organization helps build affordable housing in the county and operates a new and used furniture store.
  • Pascack Valley Meals on Wheels, 100 Madison Ave., Westwood, 201.358.0050. The nonprofit prepares and delivers meals to residents in Bergen County who are home-bound or unable to shop for themselves.
  • Rebuilding Together North Jersey, 341 Ramapo Valley Rd., Oakland, 201.447.8886. Volunteers perform home improvement and neighborhood revitalization projects to promote stronger communities.
  • Table to Table, 611 Rte. 46, Hasbrouck Heights, 201.444.5500. The community-based food rescue program collects and redistributes prepared and perishable items that would otherwise go to waste.
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