Get Off Your Butt and Volunteer
Thousands throughout Maplewood already volunteer their time and energy, but for those few who haven't yet found the right fit, we have the answer!
Photos
Maplewood is a town full of volunteer spirit.
Patch has chronicled doctors volunteering to provide free dental service to those in need; local churches running rummage sales; families, faith groups and rock bands feeding the hungry; Girl Scouts cleaning up Maplewood Village; locals selling lemonade to buy books and materials for the library.
And so much more.
Still, by our calculations, there are about twelve people left in Maplewood who are not volunteering (and we're pretty sure they're all on MaplewoodOnline publishing angry screeds...).
To these few, we suggest a three-step course of action:
- Get informed (Patch is a good place to start; We've chronicled the town's and school board's budget processes, the re-examination of the town's Master Plan, plans to redevelop the old police station site and the Village post office site, updates on Springfield Avenue and other commercial district economic development and so much more).
- Get out and vote.
- Volunteer.
The Township of Maplewood has numerous active citizen-staffed committees and boards that help shape decisions about what the town will look like (parks, zoning, historic preservation, planning), programming to serve its citizens (recreation, arts, library), and how to address social issues (health, rent leveling, local assistance).
Here's the list of Maplewood Boards & Committees
Your way into these committees is through the town's Community Volunteer Resource Program, which was formed by the Township Committee "as a way to assist us in our continuing task of seeking qualified and interested citizens to serve in a variety of volunteer capacities."
And if you don't want to serve on a board or a committee, the town is also looking for residents who have expertise in or can do the following:
- write grants
- provide general clerical support
- staff a flu clinic
- volunteer with fire and police reserves, the first aid squad or the community emergency response team
If you would like to become part of the town's volunteer program, you can fill out a volunteer form indicating your interests and return it to Town Hall: 574 Valley St., Maplewood, NJ 07040.
Amy Jo Curran
12:24 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2011
HK Community Fund should be on that list! We are a grass roots non-profit in Maplewood and South Orange. Our mission is to strengthen community with our volunteer programs and community activism. We have a database of volunteers and are always looking to work as a broker to get you or your teen involved in the Community. If you or your teen would like to be involved with HK Community Fund, please contact: amyjocurran@gmail.com or go to our website http://www.hkcommunityfund.org (our new web-site is coming soon and will have a running list of upcoming community events that volunteers are needed for!)
Julie Doran
12:37 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Maplewood Village Alliance is another volunteer organization in town that is always looking for more people to get involved. Our mission is to preserve, promote and enhance Maplewood Village to keep it vital and attractive. Everything from Dickens Village and Girls Nights Out to Landscaping and Beautification efforts all stem from the work of dozens of volunteers who support our Village. The commitment of our volunteers ranges from committee and board work to flower pot plantings and marketing efforts. Our active committees include: event planning; marketing and communication, flower pot program, landscaping, design and dickens village. Any level of committment is welcome. Interested? Email me at maplewoodvillagealliance@yahoo.com
Mary Mann
3:01 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Amy Jo and Julie,
Thanks for the additions. This story is just the first of many. This story was meant to highlight the fact that citizens who have complaints about their government can actually shape their government (in face, we need to acknowledge that we ARE our government, especially on the local level).
Essex County CASA
7:28 am on Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Make a difference in the life of an abused and neglected child in Essex County by volunteering with Essex County Court Appointed Special Advocates. (CASA) Information session will be held at the Maplewood Memorial Library on Baker St at 7pm on Aug. 4, 2011. Please stop by and find out how to get involved as a 'voice for a child' in Family Court. www.casaessex.org
Philip D. Stern
1:05 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2011
I volunteer with the Maplewood Lions Club under leadership this year of our President, Karen Pisciotta. We bring you the 5K Maplewood in Motion in October and Great Chefs Night in the Spring. We know that we accomplish much more by volunteering as a group than we each could individually. We always welcome new members. We are here to serve our community.
DC Damato
2:25 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2011
i volunteer with the Maplewood Committee for Servicemen & Servicewomen which sends packages 6 times/year to Maplewoodians who are serving on Active Duty with the military, both in the States as well as overseas. Our major concern is learning about those who have grown up in town who are in the service. Anyone knowing a serviceperson who is not receiving our packages is invited to contact us at maplewoodmilitary@yahoo.com. You can also request more information. We usually have a table in Maplewood Center twice each year to publicize our Committee and have a "float" in the Memorial Day Parade