Berkeley College students, faculty, staff and alumni supported the good works of more than 20 nonprofits and community organizations in New York and New Jersey during the College’s 12th annual Community Service Week earlier this month.
Volunteers delivered meals, stocked food pantry shelves and painted playground equipment during the college’s largest annual service initiative, which since 2010 has contributed more than 15,000 hours of service.
Berkeley College also offered a Learning Service Day on June 6, where organizations participated in virtual workshops about professional networking, branding and social media, and mindfulness.
“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits that were already operating at a deficit are in need of our support more than ever,” said Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College, who joined a team of volunteers placing American flags at the graves of veterans at East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton. “Berkeley College is proud to support these organizations and the important work they do in our communities.”
In addition to on-site service activities, a Berkeley College team knit more than 250 hats and blankets for newborns at Hackensack Meridian – Mountainside Medical Center in Glen Ridge.
Community Service Week, which this year was held June 5-10, is an initiative of BerkeleyCares, which throughout the year assists charities in the critical areas of food, shelter, health and student success. The event supports the mission and values of Berkeley College, exemplifying that teaching and learning take place both in and out of the classroom.
In New Jersey, Berkeley College partnered with Alzheimer’s New Jersey, the Arthritis Foundation, the Borough of Woodland Park, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest New Jersey, the Center for Hope and Safety, the City of Clifton Recreation Department, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Father English Food Pantry, George Washington Memorial Park, Good Grief, Greater Bergen County YMCA, Middlesex County Recreation Council – Kiddie Keep Well Camp and Nutley Family Service Bureau.
In New York, volunteer organizations included Citymeals-on-Wheels, the Food Bank for New York City, Gilda’s Club Westchester, Materials for the Arts and the New York Public Library – Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library. Amodio’s Garden Center, Nursery and Flower Shop in White Plains, NY, donated the flowers and plants for Gilda’s Club Westchester.
