7 Ways To Lend A Helping Hand

From town cleanups to home repairs to Earth Day planting, we’re always ready to support our communities and help the environment.

It feels good to do good, and we particularly remember that fact on April 20, Volunteer Recognition Day. After all, the fact that hundreds of thousands of people set aside time from days packed with work, family, chores and social obligations to make the world a little better is something worth celebrating.

Bergen County loves to give back, whether that’s through donating funds or donating goods. Feeling the urge to donate your time as well? It’s a great time of year to do it, as only two days after Volunteer Recognition Day is Earth Day (April 22). You can step up and help the whole planet!

Here are a few local organizations looking for volunteer help, with a special focus on those with an environmental impact (for a more comprehensive list of opportunities, check out the database maintained by Bergen Volunteers):

Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. If you’re passionate about animals, you can help walk dogs, socialize cats and guide those looking for a four-legged family member to their perfect match.

Bergen County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). For those looking for a more long-term commitment, CASA connects youth in the foster system with a one-on-one advocate to ensure that child stays the priority in the courtroom.

Bergen County Office of Food Insecurity. You can lend a hand at one of Bergen’s many food pantries, from sorting through donations to stocking shelves to helping patrons find what they need.

Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County. Help build, fix and restore homes in our area to fight housing insecurity.

Hackensack Riverkeeper. Dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the Hackensack River watershed, this is an organization that’s always looking for volunteers to help at neighborhood cleanups, educational events and other programs.

Master Gardeners of Bergen County. Under the supervision of Rutgers University-trained Master Gardeners, you can help maintain more than a dozen gardens and green spaces all over the county.

MEVO. The Mahwah Environmental Volunteer Organization (MEVO) brings people together for Farm Volunteer Days, where you can help a local agricultural organization weed, harvest, mulch and more.

Other ways to celebrate Earth Day? Pop by these events for resources, family fun and the great outdoors:

• April 18. In Wyckoff, Abma’s Farm holds a special Earth Day Pollinator Planting, where participants will bring home a container filled with flowers that will attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. It kicks off at 10 a.m.
• April 19. At the Tenafly Nature Center, take part in a Community Cleanup Trash-a-Thon to clean up garbage and litter found around local streets, parks and the center. The event starts at 1 p.m.
• April 22. Join the Bergen County Audubon Society at Richard DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst for an Earth Day Walk at 10 a.m. Enjoy good company and a chance to catch a glimpse of local wildlife.
• April 23. At 2 p.m., the Teaneck Creek Conservatory welcomes all to its Earth Day Public Volunteer Day. Participants will help repair, replace or expand tree cages and cut back vegetation to protect new saplings.
• April 25-26. At Van Saun Park in Paramus, the Bergen County Zoo holds its Party for the Planet, a favorite local tradition! Say hi to the animals, stop by booths for dozens of conservation organizations and check out children’s activities all day. The park opens at 10 a.m.

How are you celebrating Earth Day? Make sure you tag us @bergenmagnj on Instagram in all your best moments!