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Volunteer Opportunities Available at Easter Seals
Volunteerism and Charitable Service Making a Difference in the Lives of People with Disabilities
In an effort to encourage everyone to volunteer and engage in charitable service to reignite a spirit of unity, service and compassion nationwide, September 11th was officially established as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Because of difficult economic times, acts of volunteerism and charitable service mean more now than ever before.
 At Easter Seals New Jersey, volunteerism and charitable service from community organizations play an integral part in achieving our mission.
Humanitarian service is synonymous with the Rotary Club, whose motto is “Service Above Self”.
The Rotary was established in 1905 by founder Paul Harris; he and close personal friend Edgar “Daddy” Allen, founder of Easter Seals, enlisted the participation of their fellow businessmen in performing community service. Today, the spirit on which the Rotary was founded is alive and well - evidenced by the dedication and generosity of Rotarians throughout New Jersey who partner with Easter Seals to make an impact of the lives of people with disabilities.
The Rotarians volunteer, sponsor events, and offer program support through direct grants and gifts, and funding and underwriting of programs that support camping and recreation programs such as the 123-acre Camp Merry Heart, here in New Jersey. Rotary Club District 7470 also hosts an annual event at the camp where the facility is transformed into a carnival-like setting complete with water slides and moon bounces, interactive carnival games and prizes, refreshments, and a BBQ to end the day.
Upkeep and maintenance of the many cabins, facilities and outbuildings on the campgrounds is no small feat and is provided by the Rotary Club along with corporate sponsors such as Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. Individuals and volunteers from other corporations, local businesses, and organizations undertake routine grounds keeping and periodic improvement projects all year long.
But camping and recreation aren’t the only areas where volunteerism, service and fundraising efforts make a difference at Easter Seals. Statewide, the generosity of many volunteers who have donated their time, funds or other resources further help Easter Seals New Jersey provide tangible, life changing services and solutions.
For instance, Century 21 Real Estate offices throughout New Jersey hold frequent fundraising events such as tournaments, banquets, gift auctions and raffles. Friendly’s Ice Cream Corporation raises money year and after year through its annual Cones for Kids campaign, and Genuardi’s supermarkets dedicate one month each year where customers can make a donation to Easter Seals at checkout..
A recent donation by the Rotary Club combined with generosity from a local technology business provided a computer lab for homeless mothers and their children at Linkages, a transitional housing program. And, the Junior League of Monmouth County, a group of women volunteers, hosted a music and craft workshop and provided lunch and treats for the Linkages residents on September 11th, the historic National Day of Service.
Other organizations and individuals contribute by holding fundraising events and through hands on volunteering of their time and resources for various needs throughout the programs year round.
“On behalf of Easter Seals New Jersey, and the participants it serves, we express our gratitude and appreciation for the continuous support of service organizations, individual donors and volunteers, and corporate sponsors,” said Brian Fitzgerald, ceo and president of Easter Seals New Jersey. “Because of their commitment to partnering with us, Easter Seals is able to provide the highest levels of service to our families with disabilities and special needs in New Jersey.”
You, too, can impact lives and create a positive image in your community. Please contact Easter Seals New Jersey at (732) 257-6662 to learn how you or your business can be a part of our family through volunteerism and charitable service.
Volunteering has many benefits:
- Increases self-esteem
- Helps your community
- Gain satisfaction by making a difference in the lives of others
- Meet new friends
- Acquire leadership skills
- Build your resume through experience
Many of Easter Seals New Jersey’s residential programs located throughout the state are in need of an extra hand to help out in some way. Camp Merry Heart in Hackettstown, located on 123 picturesque acres, is always in need of volunteers to help out with various projects around the campgrounds. We welcome volunteers who can spend time lending their talents and resources or even just a hand to help get our facilities in tip-top shape!
Interested in Volunteering at Easter Seals New Jersey?
Volunteering is not only an important learning experience, but a special way to lend a helping hand and more importantly your heart! Give a little, gain a lot. Volunteering Works!
If you are in a position to volunteer to help improve our participants’ quality of life, we can provide opportunities for you! Easter Seals New Jersey provides programs and services for approximately 7,000 individuals with disabilities or special needs throughout the state of New Jersey.
The mission of Easter Seals' New Jersey Volunteer Program is to enhance the quality of services provided to approximately 7,000 New Jersey individuals and their families to overcome physical, social and economic barriers through active support in services, fundraising, and affiliation in their communities. The Board of Directors and Easter Seals staff believes in the value of volunteer involvement throughout the organization.
As an Easter Seals volunteer, you will be an important member of the Easter Seals team!
- You will be carefully placed in assignments that best match your interests, skills, past experiences and availability
- Your volunteer responsibilities will be clearly defined, and you will receive the appropriate orientation, training and staff supervision for your volunteer service assignment.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities in your community, or to discuss donating goods or making a financial contribution, please contact: Helen Drobnis at (732) 257-6662, ext. 200 or by e-mail at hdrobnis@nj.easterseals.com.
(NOTE: Easter Seals seeks to ensure and provide equal opportunity to all people seeking volunteer service with Easter Seals without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran's status, national origin or disability. Community Service recipients and Service Learning students are welcome to apply.)
Check Out Some Recent Volunteer Efforts!
The Knights of Columbus of both Lacey and Toms River make every summer special for participants of Easter Seals New Jersey’s Community Support Service locations at Lacey, Lakewood and Belmar.
 For the past several summers, the Knights of Columbus have provided wonderful summer picnics consisting of a delicious BBQ buffet of hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ chicken, Sloppy Joe's, corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, assorted salads, watermelon, refreshing beverages and more.
And, what BBQ would be complete without entertainment? At one of this summer’s picnics - sponsored by the Lacey KOC - Elmo the Singing Clown joined the festivities and entertained everyone with music and fun activities. Even the Lanoka Harbor Fire Company provided one of their trucks to do a fire safety demonstration and two firefighters explained procedures and the equipment used to put out fires. The participants were also able to try on their uniforms and shoot the fire hoses to experience what it is like to be a real fire fighter.
Another picnic offered respite from the summer heat courtesy of the Toms River KOC for hosting the event in their indoor facility. In addition to the same plentiful BBQ buffet, live music, singing, dancing, and karaoke was also provided by the Knight’s Steve Kemp, who frequently lends his musical talent to Easter Seals’ celebrations throughout the year.
Everyone always has a terrific time, thanks to the ever-generous Knights of Columbus volunteers. Their continued support, hard work and dedication to our participants make these events better and better each year!
On Thursday, June 5th and Friday, June 6th, approximately 35 volunteers from M&M Mars' Hackettstown facility descended upon Easter Seals New Jersey's Camp Merry Heart and completed a thorough interior spring cleaning of all the cabins, painted the porches of the dining hall and all the cabins, and undertook various landscaping projects throughout the grounds.
The Mars Volunteer Program Day (MVP Day) takes place nationwide during the first week of June and employees at its 48 locations across the country take time to contribute to their local communities through various volunteer efforts. With volunteer efforts focused on youth enrichment, hunger relief, animal welfare and the environment, Mars’ Hackettstown, NJ facility chose to dedicate their “MVP” time this year to Easter Seals NJ’s Camp Merry Heart!
When asked what prompted Mars to choose Camp Merry Heart for their volunteer efforts, Mars employee Shelley Harvey replied that many employees at the company’s Hackettstown facility have sent their children to the camp throughout the years and that they are well acquainted with the high caliber of quality camping and recreation services provided by Camp Merry Heart. They've already told us they can't wait to come back again next year!
Volunteering Works! | 
