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(Paramus, NJ) May 14, 2007 - Volunteers play a vital role in the success of a non-profit organization, generously offering gifts of time, dedication, and enthusiasm. To recognize these extraordinary individuals, Children's Aid and Family Services recently hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Evening in its Healing Garden, located at 148 Prospect Street.
The Healing Garden was chosen as the event site not only for its beauty, but because it was built entirely by dedicated volunteers. "The agency has approximately 700 volunteers, which is three times the amount of our staff," says Bob Jones, Ph.D., president & CEO. "These extra hands help get the work done."
Board members, staff, and volunteers from all areas of the agency gathered together to honor the following individuals and organizations: Susan Denenholz, Randy Sherry, Dr. Sari Zimmer, Papillon, and the Village School of Waldwick.
Dr. Zimmer has volunteered her professional dental services at Turrell Child Care & Early Learning Center, a division of Children's Aid and Family Services, for the past six years. She provides free dental screenings for the children enrolled at the Turrell Center. Dr. Zimmer is a member of Pediatric Dental Associates, with offices in Fair Lawn and Ridgewood.
Ms. Denenholz has been a full-time volunteer since 1998, when she began donating her time to Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, and Trinity School in New York City. She currently serves as a volunteer office assistant to Children's Aid and Family Services, where she helps with innumerable special projects. Ms. Denenholz is an attorney and a former corporate development officer at Dun & Bradstreet Corp.
Mr. Sherry has served as a mentor for Children's Aid and Family Services since 2002. He is currently mentoring a young man in the agency's Children's Haven group home in Park Ridge, NJ. He is committed to his mentee, and share shares his love of computers and basketball with him.
For the past two years, the younger students that attend The Village School of Waldwick have held a collection drive for diapers, formula and essential baby items, to benefit Baby Basics. The program, managed by Children's Aid and Family Services, provides diapers and nutritional formula to working poor families with children 2 years and under. This year alone, the children collected 53 packs of diapers, 25 cans of formula, and 40 packs of wipes, plus other desperately needed items, including baby lotion, powder, wash and shampoo.
Papillon Incorporated is a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 by a group of women who wanted to find a way to use their friendships to give something meaningful back to the community. Papillon designs and implements programs that provide enrichment and encouragement to those affected by social issues surrounding urban youth, women's health and economic development. The group has been helping the adolescent girls living in one of the agency's group homes. During the holidays, several Papillon members visited the home and brought food and gifts to the girls. They also invited the girls to attend Minority Student Day at Microsoft in New York City.
"I offer my deepest appreciation and thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers," says Bob Jones, Ph.D., president & CEO of Children's Aid and Family Services. "Our agency performs a vital role for vulnerable children and families, and we couldn't do it without our outstanding volunteers."
Children's Aid and Family Services is one of the largest, regional, nonprofit human services agencies serving northern New Jersey. The agency is fully accredited and has served our community for more than 100 years. Our mission is to preserve, protect and, when needed, provide families. Motivated by compassion for vulnerable children, young adults, frail elderly and their families, we provide high-quality and innovative services that meet their social, educational and emotional needs. For information on volunteer opportunities, contact Cyndy Mitchell at 201-261-2800 or visit www.cafsnj.org.
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