“Thanks for including information on our Spring Basket project in your notice. It has turned out to be a valuable tool for us in recruiting donors for our programs.”

Barbara McLaughlin
Coordinator of Volunteers
Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.” - (Act IV, Scene I). Macbeth

“Wanted to give you feedback on my son's community service experience at The Shakespeare Theater. He has worked there twice and just loves the experience - he actually talks Shakespeare with me - and is also building confidence at the same time. Thank you for finding us a perfect fit.”

“As part of the social service department the volunteer programs of Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance attempt to provide supplemental services to the families known to our agency. Our major programs are providing Spring Basket, Backpack with school supplies, Thanksgiving Baskets, Holiday gifts, Layettes and Homeless duffel bags as well as Emergency Food to those in need. We have registered each of these programs with VMC and have been fortunate enough to secure donors who were interested in each.

“There is a large Spanish-speaking population that we serve, and many have English as a second language. We were interested in having our letters and notices about our supplemental programs available both in Spanish and English. We wanted to be sure that we got our information out in such a way that our clients knew and understood what was available to them.

“While we have many employees that speak Spanish there was no one who had the time available to do our translations in addition to their own job responsibilities. The agency contacted a professional service to inquire about the cost of translating our material and found that the cost would be prohibitive.

“Our need for a volunteer translator was listed.and were lucky enough to get 3 inquiries in a very short time. After additional discussion as to our needs and expectations, we were able to make arrangements with one of the individuals referred from VMC to do our translations.”

“Our volunteer has just completed the first set of letters and forms … and we are very pleased with the speed and accuracy with which she completed the work.

“Thank you for helping to locate this volunteer. You have enabled us to be more effective in our outreach.”

Barbara McLaughlin, Coordinator of Volunteers
Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance

“You are great! I really appreciate all of your help because it is a wonderful site ESPECIALLY when we have our fundraiser events or special happenings we can reach out to all volunteers!”

The Community Foodbank fights hunger and poverty by the distribution of food and grocery products, by education and training, by creating model programs, and by involving all sectors of society in this battle. Serving charities throughout most of New Jersey, the Community Foodbank is able to each 500,000 people a month.

I'm sending this to share with others at VMC, to let you know how much we at St. John's Episcopal Church appreciate the work you do to arrange meetings between organizations who need volunteers and volunteers who are seeking places to use their time and talent. Most of us can remember a time when volunteering was a responsibility and a privilege accepted by many. Our world has changed so, and alas the "many" have become the "few". But a world view in which the concept of volunteerism as one of society's great values must never be allowed to disappear. Organizations and individuals are helped immensely by those who give freely and willingly of themselves. However, just as important I think, are the moral and ethical benefits to a society as a whole, which promotes and participates in volunteerism because it is right thing to do. We are in so many ways, our brother's keeper. Thank you for the mission that you and your staff have undertaken. May God continue to bless you in this ministry of action and presence in a needy world.

In peace--Deacon Elizabeth Ostuni