VMCNJ

Pick Your Cause for the Month of May and Let it Fully Blossom!

Arthritis Awareness Month: Spearheaded by the Arthritis Foundation, Arthritis Awareness Month aims to make people more aware of arthritis and the issues involved. Arthritis Awareness Month is a time to motivate Americans to get up and get moving, while raising funds for arthritis research, support and advocacy. Arthritis Walk events take place in hundreds of communities throughout the United States.  Learn more about arthritis and upcoming events by clicking here.

Better Hearing and Speech Month:  Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) was founded in 1927, by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).The aim of BHSM is to raise awareness about hearing and speech problems, encouraging people to analyze their own hearing and speech, and to take action if they think there might be a problem. Treatment can then be given to improve the quality of life in people with communication problems. Click here to visit the BHSM website for free resources.

National Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month:  Designated by the American Academy of Dermatology, National Melanoma Skin Cancer Prevention Month aims to raise awareness about skin cancer, increasing the chances of early detection so treatments can be given early.   In the United States, both the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute provide information about skin cancer.  May 7 is Melanoma Monday.

Clean Air Month:  Supported by the American Lung Association, Clean Air Month educates people about the impact clean air can have on their lives. The Clean Air Act came into force in 1970. This Act has been successful in reducing air quality related health conditions and premature death. Clean Air Month is a time for many states to celebrate the impact the Clean Air Act has had on the way people think about the environment and on the overall health of its people. Click here for more information.

ALS Awareness Month:  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disease which destroys the ability to walk, speak, eat and breath.  ALS is sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named for Lou Gehrig, the famous baseball first baseman, whose career was stopped in 1939 when he developed ALS at the age of 36. Help raise ALS awareness by participating in ALS Across America or Walk to Defeat ALS. Click here to learn more.

For volunteer opportunities in any of the above causes, click on Looking for a volunteer opportunity? in the blue box in the upper right and search by location and key word.  Or contact Leslie Lebow at 973-538-7200 ext. 13 or email her at llebow@vmcnj.org for further guidance. 

A special thank-you goes to the many agencies that have responded to our 'gift' of an easier and more personalized volunteer-matching system.  The feedback has been positive, the transition smooth, and the matches ongoing.

Our goal is to keep the momentum going so we are asking you to continue sending us your opportunities by using our new, streamlined Volunteer Opportunity Form, found in the yellow box to the right.  Simply fill out and return by email or fax and we will post your opportunities for you, and send all volunteers' names and contact information as they come in.  If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Lebow at 973-538-7200 ext. 13 or email her at llebow@vmcnj.org.

The need for volunteers doesn't stop so let VMC make it easy for you!

Connect to the heart of volunteerism through VMC

Your gift helps us...

Comfort a homebound senior.  For 20 years and counting, our Friendship at Heart volunteers bring much needed companionship to our elderly with frequent visits and phone calls.

Encourage a young student to give back to the community.  Students from grade school through college are sorting and distributing at food banks, cleaning up rivers and parks, tutoring young and old, assisting in animal shelters, and so much more. VMC’s comprehensive Youth Directory is a vital resource to parents, schools, youth organizations, and scouting groups. Our group placement advisor adds that personal touch to make perfect matches!

Connect local nonprofits so they can share knowledge, better business practices, useful tools and services. Their shared successes, challenges, and needs bring improved community cooperation and collaboration.

Teach nonprofit board leadership—from policy implementation and roles and responsibilities to fiscal planning and fund raising—so agencies are better prepared to face the 21st century.

 Whatever your cause, your dollars go a long way at VMC

to help repair the world and build community.

Please make your donation today.

Young Volunteers Wanted!

Are you looking for something beyond the textbooks and the classroom?  Why not volunteer your time and talents!  Take on new roles and responsibilities, gain workplace experience, demonstrate initiative for college applications, and make a difference in your community.

VMC's Youth Directory lists 55 nonprofit agencies that welcome young volunteers.  Whether you're 6 or 16, VMC has a volunteer opportunity for you!

Click here for our Youth Directory.

   Agencies Wanted!

Are you a nonprofit agency in need of volunteers?  Why not tap into the wonderful talents and enthusiasm of our youth?  Simply register your opportunity with VMC and we will do the rest to help engage young people who are eager to explore career paths, develop leadership skills, and give back to their communities.  Everyone will benefit and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that these young volunteers could be tomorrow’s leaders.  Please tell us about your volunteer project by registering under Agencies in the yellow box to the right. For more information or if you are interested in becoming a part of our Youth Directory, please contact  Leslie Lebow at (973) 538-7200 ext. 13 or email her at llebow@vmcnj.org.

Changing Nonprofits - Are You the Missing Link?

VMC works to change the way non-profits do business through our CHAIN program, that links charities serving similar causes. The CHAIN program helps nonprofits maximize their resources (especially skilled and leadership volunteers) and minimize their expenses.

Our Healthy Living and Women's Health and Safety CHAINs are up and running, and we are looking forward to building CHAINs for environmental groups, youth at risk, immigration,affordable childcare, hunger, homelessness, education alternatives...and more. Call or email us to find out how your company can sponsor the CHAIN of your choice.