Tax Time is Coming!

Our Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) needs volunteers to help low income individuals/families and older adults with income taxes. Volunteers in Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax assistance and helps people apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Volunteers who are proficient in a second language are especially needed. AARP coordinates the training in Bergen County, which will be offered early in January. Call RSVP at 201-489-9333 or -9399 for more information.

The Record features Bergen LEADS

Today's Business section of The Record (November 27) features an in-depth article on the Volunteer Center's newest program - Bergen LEADS. Non-profit news columnist Harvy Lipman spoke with several members of the Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel about this exciting new venture and its potential to positively impact Bergen County. To read the article, click here.

Help Us Get All Wrapped Up for the Holidays

The Volunteer Center's All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving program matches families or individuals in need with willing donors who "adopt" them for the holidays. To date, 310 families and 530 individuals have been "adopted" by generous donors for this holiday season! However, there are still many people in need who have not yet been matched, so please consider donating gifts to this very special program. We need flexible donors who are willing to provide gifts for someone of any age in any location, or gift cards for senior citizens, adults, and teens. For information about becoming a donor, please contact the Volunteer Center at 201-489-9454 or visit http://www.bergenvolunteers.org.

$50,000+ in Tools for School

The Northern NJ Business Volunteer Council (BVC), which is sponsored by the Volunteer Center in partnership with Bergen County's United Way, coordinates a back-to-school supply drive early every fall. Member companies of the BVC ask employees and associates to donate school supplies which are then delivered to children from low-income families throughout the state. This year, the BVC collected more than $50,000 in school supplies for needy children. Pictured here are employees from BVC member PSE&G, which collected $15,000 of that amount. A+ for effort!

Do Good - Go Shopping!

While shopping online this holiday season, you can help the Volunteer Center with every purchase. Through igive.com, a percentage of every purchase you make can go to the Volunteer Center, or another charity of your choice. There are over 600 stores to shop from, including favorites like Target, Barnes & Noble, Gap and much more. Just go to igive.com and enter "Volunteer Center of Bergen County" in the cause keyword search. It only takes a minute to register and $5 will be donated to the Volunteer Center right off the bat if you sign up and shop within 45 days. Shop 'til you drop!

It was a Banner week!

For the last week of October, the train trestle at Franklin Avenue in Ridgewood was home to the Volunteer Center banner, encouraging all who passed by to DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD. Keep an eye out for a repeat performance in December, when the banner will grace the same spot for another week.