SERVICE UNIT 81

Acorns - Girls can collect acorns in a cap-less one-gallon milk jug to be given to a state park. The Forestry and Environmental Education Facility will grow them for 1 year and then plant them statewide. Call Flemington Agway at 908-782-5413 for drop off times from September to October 30.

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American Cancer Society's Relay for Life - Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for cancer research. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Volunteer opportunities range from assisting in set-up to helping a team during the event with face painting, crafts, etc. This event is held in June. Check the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life web page at www.cancer.org/docroot/gi/gi_5_1.asp. American Heart Association - Contact 609-280-0020

 

American Red Cross Friendship Boxes - This is for the Hunterdon Red Cross 52 E. Main St., Flemington, NJ. 908-782-4121. Friendship boxes get filled with health, educational and recreational items for children here and abroad. The boxes are available through the Red Cross. All items included in the boxes must be new. Try to fill each box completely so it doesn't crush in shipment. You decide what should go in each box, but suggestions for the boxes are:

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Educational: Pencils, erasers, crayons/colored pencils, small rulers, small pads of paper or notebooks, stickers, pencil sharpeners, pens, etc.

Personal/Recreations: Yo-yos, balls, jacks, small dolls, marbles, beads, harmonicas, whistles, kazoos, small puzzles, jump ropes, small toy cars, hair clips/ribbons, etc.

Health: Wrapped toothbrushes, toothpaste, wrapped hand soap, small pocket combs, adhesive bandages, wash cloths, pocket size tissues, etc.

Craft Items: Cards, finger puppets, small beanbags, blank greeting cards, bookmarks, postcards or photos of US, postage stamps, etc.

 

        You can also do Trick-or Treating for the Troops-collect Halloween candy for the Troops, Smiles Overseas-write letters to                   military personnel or create a set of cards to send to military personnel for their personal use, Valentine’s for Vets - create          

        valentine's for veterans, create Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day cards, That’s Entertainment Box-videos, cd’s, Hugs and Kisses-

        send handmade Valentine cards with non-chocolate candy, Host a Blood Drive, Thank a Donor-making thank you cards for    

        blood donors, Beat the Heat Safety Fans-create hand-held fans with hat safety tips, Help for Shelter Residents-assemble comfort

        kits for disaster victims. See me or call the Red Cross directly.

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America’s Grow a Row - Help those in need by planting, picking, and delivering fresh produce which is donated to  organizations and food pantries. You can adopt a garden for a week, help on gleaming days, and donate produce from your own garden. www.americasgrowarow.com or contact them at 908-331-2962.

 

Baby Quilts - You can make ABC quilts for at-risk-babies. Contact ABC quilts at info@abcquilts.com and check out their web page at http://www.abcquilts.com.

 

Briteside Adult Daycare Center - The residents love to hear troops sing Christmas carols and Girl Scout songs (they love the chicken dance). Troops can also help them complete crafts and just simply bring a snack and chat. Contact them at 908-782-8080.

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Camp Bernie Clean-Up - Camp Bernie holds a spring and fall cleanup and is looking for girls to help clean-up the camp. They provide you with food and as a thank you they allow you to stay overnight and participate in their program. This is a great opportunity for Juniors and above. For additional information contact Camp Bernie at 908-832-5315.

 

Care Wear - Sew Baby Items for Hospitals. Girls can make many things for newborn infants at hospitals. There are more information, patterns, and a list of local hospitals and their needs at www.carewear.org

 

Christmas Caroling - Choose a local senior center and bring your troop caroling. You can also try caroling in your neighborhood and call it Caroling for Cans. Collect canned goods to donate to a food pantry.

 

Clinton First Aid and Rescue - The Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad is a nonprofit organization that provides pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services and Rescue Services to Clinton, Clinton Township and Lebanon. Call 908-735-4012.

 

Cooking - Girls love to prepare food as a team. Put that desire to good use by preparing a meal for a family in need. Families with a new baby, a mom who broke a leg, someone who’s been sick or is caring for a sick or elderly person. These families will welcome the support and caring a precooked meal. Check with your local church’s clergy, social concerns coordinator or the school nurse. FYI-you can also earn a cooking badge.

 

Daisy Discovery Day - This is a program at Dewitt for Daisies. Girls can run a table as a troop or smaller group that teaches the Daisies a craft that would take 10 or 15 minutes. A troop can even run this as their silver award where each girl runs a craft station. Contact council for more information.

 

Dewitt Family Fun Day - On an early weekend in October each year is family fun day at camp Dewitt. We need troops to run booths from 11:00-3:00. Contact Marcia at 725-1226 to sign up to run a booth. Marcia has many ideas for booths, or you can come up with your own idea. Many enjoy craft booths. Patches are available for girls who participate.

 

Easter Baskets - Your troop can make Easter baskets for the food pantry. A good source of items for the baskets is the dollar store. Decorate the baskets or include Easter crafts. All candy must be in its original packaging. Donate to any food pantry. 

 

First Aid Squad - Contact your local first aid squad (or fire company) to see if they could use the girls’ help.

 

First Saturdays - Third year Juniors, Cadets and Seniors are needed to organize and Lead Daisies and 1st grade Brownies in a simple craft, etc. that will last for two hours at council. Contact Marcia at 725-1226 or mcocozza@girlscouts-rh.org.

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Flemington Area Food Pantry - The pantry accepts all food donations anytime of year. Girls can make special holiday favors, bake cookies, cakes, or bread for distribution to the clients. Located at 110 Broad Street, Flemington, NJ 08822      908-788-5568.

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Friendship Center for New Beginnings - An outreach to single mothers who appreciate and accept most everything that is new, especially diapers in sizes 4/5/6. They look for help in sorting donations and will give your troop a tour of the facility. Located at 162 Main St., Flemington. Call Jeannie Avery at 908-806-4444.

 

Girl Scouting Beyond Bars - Make lunches for fellow Girl Scouts who have monthly meetings at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility with their incarcerated mothers. The lunches should be made on the Friday before the Saturday meeting and delivered to the Service Center the following Saturday morning. Menu: 30 (or less) individual lunches in paper bags, turkey and cheese sandwich on white bread, two juice boxes, one piece of fruit, a bag of chips or two cookies, a napkin, and one small jar of mayonnaise and yellow mustard. "craft in a bag" - can be made from extra craft supplies from meetings. For more information go to http://www.girlscouts-rh.org/gsbb/gsbbintro.htm

 

Girl Sports - Run a GirlSports event for girls 5 to 8 years old. This is a great activity for service hours, leadership hours and could be a bronze or silver award project. This uses a variety of games and activities to promote fair play, cooperation, skill progression, health and fitness. It can be one session or a series of sessions spread out over a few weeks. Contact council.

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Halloween Candy Drive -Collect bags of Halloween Candy or other goodies for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry.

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Heart Gallery of NJ - A non-profit organization publicizing foster children’s need to find permanent homes. They have several annual initiatives including the “Foster Their Hearts” Duffle Bag Campaign to provide foster children with their own duffle bag filled with personal necessities (coats, scarves, gloves, hats, pajamas, undergarments, socks, toothbrushes, etc.). The Holiday Campaign collects leftover Halloween Candy. Go to their website: www.heartgallerynj.com for more info.

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Holly Trail - Bake something for the Holly Trail bake sale and deliver by Dec 2, and man the booth on Dec 3. Contact Kimberly Martino 908-735-4461 for other Holly Trail service opportunities.

 

Homesharing of Somerset and Hunterdon County - Matches people with extra room in their homes to people looking for affordable housing. They also stock a food pantry and provide fresh food for their clients at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. You can sort and organize their stock, help prepare the Holiday food packages, run a book drive, run a socks and underwear drive—that is what their clients ask for as Christmas presents. Contact Susan at 908-526-4663.

 

Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission - Help count, sort and prepare packets for distribution to school age children throughout the county and other projects throughout the year. Would appreciate help from girls 10yrs old and up. 3 Chorister Pl, Flemington 908-788-1256, Donna Jensen

 

Hunterdon County Library Book Sale - A yearly fundraiser for the Hunterdon County Library held in the spring. They usually need volunteers in 6th grade and up to help at the book drop-offs to collect, sort, price, and help setup for the sale. Book Sale Chair: Maryellen Soldavin 996-4512 or marcnmel@msn.com.

 

Hunterdon County Park System - Assist with spring planting, fall planting, garden maintenance, summer weeding, mulching, Christmas-decorating, wildlife tree, etc. 1020 Highway 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833 Phone: 908-782-1158.

 

Hunterdon County United Way - Annual Day of Caring and Week of Caring in early fall (usually early September). Check out the website to see current volunteer opportunities. http://uwhunterdon.org/volunteer-solutions.  Contact Sylvia Uriguen, Volunteer Program Coordinator at 908-782-3414 ext. 23.

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Hunterdon Developmental Center - State run facility, which serves approximately 600 adults with Developmental Disabilities. There are a lot of opportunities to serve organization. Our contact is Cathy Walker at 730-1377. Be sure to coordinate what you are planning with her. They appreciate: wash cloths, bibs (the size of hand towels), wheelchair bags (sized to fit a few notebooks). They love seasonal decorations that can be hung from the ceiling and on walls, collages, mobiles, small pillows, holiday decorations, or table napkins, center-pieces, and laminated seasonal place-mats. They can always use cassettes, CD's, picture books, wooden puzzles (with big pieces), shape games and homemade musical instruments. Avoid small beads, glitter and glass items.

 

You can also:

        Wrap presents - wrap Christmas gifts at the center (Register early!). Other holiday ideas: host a party, Christmas caroling (before Nov. 1), make Christmas centerpieces, place-mats, banners, etc.

        Create a "birthday party in a box” in a large Rubbermaid bin - decorate goodie bags and party hats and put them with plates, napkins party favors, cake mix etc. The box can also be decorated and you can make a centerpiece, decorate cups or make fancy place-mats or napkin rings. Make stationary with rubber stamps for the residents.

        Work at the center - Activities include planting flowers, summer weeding or hosting a cottage birthday party for 33 residents and anything else you might want to do.

        Run a Personal Care Drive - collect cosmetics, nail polish, soap, shampoo, disposable razors, toothpaste, etc.

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Hunterdon Hospice - Hospice is care designed to treat people in the final phase of a life-threatening illness. They can use administrative help and they welcome donations of decorated plastic drinking glasses, flower bouquets for bedside tables, patient kit (small soaps, shampoos, toothbrush, etc.), small wrapped cookie bars, and Valentine or Easter greeting cards. Call Joyce Trunk at 908-788-6600. www.hunterdonhealthcare.org/services/home_care/hospice.asp

 

Hunterdon Interfaith Hospitality Network - Churches in Hunterdon County take turns housing homeless families. Collect Toiletries or school supplies, prepare meals, collect videos and board games. Assemble small boxes/bags with small toys, playing cards, yo-yos, jacks, silly putty, crayons, small cars, jump ropes, etc. Older girls might appreciate nail polish, hair accessories magazines, etc. The contact for Interfaith Hospitality Network is Tammy LeBar (908) 782-2490. She can put you in touch with whichever church is hosting families when you want to volunteer.

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Hunterdon Medical Center Volunteer - Girls who are 14 or older can volunteer their time at the Hunterdon Medical Center. Volunteers must attend an orientation and commit to work a minimum of 100 hours. Visit http://www.hunterdonhealthcare.org/services/volunteer.asp for service opportunities for younger girls or call (908) 788-6140 for more information.

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July 4 Parade - Coordinate our Service Unit marchers. Plan a theme and create a float, put together music and songs, or ask everyone to wear matching clothes and order flags or hats for everyone to wear. Registration forms get to the service unit in the spring.

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KIDS CONNECT - Support Group at the Wellness Community of Central NJ in Bedminster-founded by Dawn Peragallo. It is a program for children ages 7-12 who have a parent with cancer. Children have the opportunity to understand what is happening and communicate feelings. Children enjoy working together on creative activities supervised by trained professionals. Service opportunities for troops may include VCR/DVD and book drives, assisting the staff with prepping crafts for a meeting. If interested, please call 908-658-5400.

 

Libraries - Girls of all ages can volunteer at their local library or school library. 

 

Loaves of Love - The food pantry at the United Methodist Church in Lebanon is looking for canned and non-perishable food items. Contact: Sandy Daab 236-8157.

 

Make a Difference Day - October 24, any service that is done on or around that day can be reported to them. Register your idea before September 10 and you could win a grant or supplies to support your project! http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/ for service ideas. This site also allows you to order "Make a Difference Day" patches.

 

Mom’s Club of Pittstown - Has several community service efforts year round. Contact Richelle Newsome at 908-238-0086.

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Mt. Carmel Group Home For Girls - Group home for girls of Native American Heritage who have been battered, neglected, or abused. They are collecting any items that a teenage girl would need. NEW ITEMS ONLY. You can mail the items to:

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Mt. Carmel Group Home for Girls

300 Mt Carmel Avenue

Gallup, NM 87301

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Mr. Fixit - This program has volunteers help senior citizens with small in home repairs and yard work. They want older girls to help with various household tasks (gardening,leaf raking, etc.). Contact Ann L. at 788-1358 if you are interested.

 

NJ Special Olympics - This organization frequently needs volunteers. Their web site is http://www.sonj.org

 

Nursing Homes - Any you’d like to visit but I have used and heard of good results with:

        Rolling Hills of Hunterdon Care Center, 16 Cratetown Rd, Lebanon, NJ 908-236-2011

        Independence Manor, 188 Rt. 31, Flemington 908-788-4893

 

Suggestions for service include: Visit in Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat from room to room. Sing seasonal songs (time spent practicing counts as service too), do a craft project, organize a Bingo game, or put on a talent show.

 

One Warm Coat - Provides coats to needy people for free. To start a collection visit http://www.onewarmcoat.org and view the guidebook. Marcia at council is our coordinator for this service project.

 

Open Cupboard Food Pantry - Collect non-perishable foods and deliver them anytime of year. Call if you’d like to do more (Adopt a Family, Halloween candy drive, supply clothing, etc.) 1 West Main St, High Bridge (same complex as the Chinese Restaurant next to the First Aid Squad). Jan Stalnaker 908-638-6007.

 

Operation Blessing - Create disaster relief kits to provide basic toiletries. Fill 1-gallon Ziploc bags with a washcloth, hand towel, bar of soap, comb, nail clipper, pack of dental floss, toothbrush, travel size toothpaste, travel size shampoo, small packet of tissues, small package of adhesive bandages—these must all be NEW and unused items. Send to: Disaster Relief Kits, Operation Blessing International, 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463. For more information go to www.ob.org/programs/disaster_relief/projects/disaster_kit.asp

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Operation Christmas Child - Volunteers put together a shoebox filled with small gifts, which are sent to children in need around the world. Boxes can be wrapped or decorated (top must open). You can enclose a letter and a self-addressed envelope. Perhaps you'll get a note back! Visit www.samaritanspurse.org for more information.

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Operation Shoebox - Support US armed forces deployed overseas. Collect sunscreen SPF45 or higher, bug spray, chap stick, feminine products (including sports bras-all sizes), ear swabs, laundry detergent, bug wipes & bug strips, wipes-travel size, razors, toilet paper, eye drops, spices, tea bags, coffee, small drink mixes, clothes line & clothes pins, snack food, hard candy, gum, paper, pad, pencils, pens, batteries-any size, calling cards. Rod Hirsch at 908-698-0333 or www.opshoeboxnj.org.

 

Pedals for Progress - This is program collects bicycles and delivers them to third world countries to provide people with personal transportation. Located in High Bridge and their number is 908-638-4811. Website: www.p4p.org

 

Printmaking Council of New Jersey - Looking for Cadet and Senior Girl Scouts to help on the weekends and the summer. They hold printmaking classes for Girl Scouts and other groups. They are located on 440 River Road in Somerville. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Stephanie at (908) 725-2110.

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Project Linus - Collects “blankies” and other handmade baby things for infants and ill children. They are located in NJ and need quilts, stuffing and craft supplies donated. Visit http://www.blankiedepo.org for information and patterns. They have a program where they come to your meeting and help you make a 45 minute quilt-mural to hang in hospitals! Materials and instructions are provided with a 15 min. presentation on the benefits on kids through your volunteering.

 

Raritan Valley Community College Theater - Usher for the RVCC weekend children’s performances. Receive hands on training and a tour of the theater. On the weekend, usher the first show, watch the performance, and usher the second show! Contact Cindy Alexander 908-526-1200x8801.

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Ronald McDonald House - Collect the tabs off beverage cans for Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey. Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for families whose children are suffering. They collect the tabs because they’re made of pure aluminum and they get 35-50 cents per pound. You can drop it off at the House if you collect fifty pounds. 609-966-HOME (4663). If you don't collect fifty pounds, then deliver them to the Clinton McDonald's as they will take any amount, any time.

 

SAFE in Hunterdon - Supports women and their children who are unsafe in their own homes. They are always looking for specific donations. Call them (908-788-7666) and they will gladly give you more ideas of things the girls can do. Reach them at 47 East Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

 

School Supplies - The Open Cupboard Food Pantry in High Bridge is always in need of school supplies. Get the supplies to the Open Cupboard Food Pantry before school starts!

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SHIP - The Samaritan Homeless Interim Program provides meals for homeless people in Somerville and surrounding areas via their mobile soup kitchen and their facility (87 East High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876).

Consider having your troop make casseroles - lasagna, baked ziti, macaroni & cheese, franks & beans, sliced ham, chicken, roast beef, etc. Please place in 10”X12” aluminum trays. Side dishes, salads, dressings, bread, fresh fruit, peanut butter (4-5 jars), jelly (2-3 jars), and desserts. You can support them by providing: 60 sandwiches in individual brown bags marked: HC-Ham & cheese, B-Bologna, TF-Tuna, T-Turkey, A-American cheese, and 20 PB&J sandwiches marked PJ. Each bag should contain a piece of fruit, a juice box, and a snack item (chips, cookies, a donut, etc.) and a napkin. Make the sandwiches dry (you can supply a jar of mustard and mayo). They also want younger girls to decorate place mats and make centerpieces for holiday meals (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Easter).  Place mats must be bigger than 8 1/2 x 11 is better) and don't put your names on them, they should have a holiday theme. Drop these off at their location in Somerville. SHIP is always in need of utensils wrapped in napkins. Wrap a plastic knife, fork and spoon in a paper napkin. You might consider using mailing labels printed with troop number and a message to hold the napkin closed. To find out more and make arrangements to deliver your food, contact Tom O'Leary at (908) 393-9545.

 

“Sight Night”/Eyeglasses - "Sight Night" is where children ask for old eyeglasses & sunglasses when they are out trick-or-treating. The glasses will go to people in countries that cannot afford eyeglasses (Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand, and Morocco). Bring the glasses to a Lens Crafters store or to a Lion's Club location. If you are interested in participating, call 1-888-935-4589 or visit http://www.sightnight.org. Eyeglasses can be collected any time of the year.

 

Somerset County United Way - Coordinates many service projects in our area. Two annual fall programs include Youth Make a Difference Day where projects are offered on a first-come first-served basis in mid October at nonprofit agencies throughout central NJ. Typical projects include helping with office tasks, food drives, landscaping, assisting with arts and crafts, etc. All youth must be chaperoned by an adult. Check their website for a list of agencies and their needs. The other fall project is National Family Volunteer Day usually held in November of each year. Contact Yvette Choma at 908-253-6513 or ychoma@uwscty.org.  Their address is P.O. Box 6835, Bridgewater, N.J. 08876. For general information on other events, reach them at 908-725-6640, Fax: 908-725-5598 or www.SomersetOnline.org 

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Thinking Day - Our service unit has an event in the middle of February every year. You can run the entire program and select a theme, date, location, etc and offer space to troops who will each create a booth to go along with your selected theme. This requires an early start and lots of advance planning but is a well-attended. Contact the service unit manager.

 

TLC Angels - This is an organization for creating handmade items for preemies, infants and children in need. Visit www.tlcforangels.com for more info. They choose 4 hospitals annually to receive their donations. One recent hospital was St. Joseph's Hospital in Patterson NJ. They have suggestions for crafts including projects for children. See http://tlcforangels.tripod.com/kids.html. One of the projects is a get-well card that can be printed and then decorated. Once you have completed a project, there is a certificate to print out making the girls "TLC Cherubs". You can also make an "Angel Cache" which is a box filled with stuff for the mom and baby - see http://tlcforangels.tripod.com/TLCbox.htm

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The Valerie Fund - Provides state of the art centers for children with cancer or blood disorders. You can collect small toys and such as bubbles, toy cars, paddle-balls, stationary supplies, nail polish, hair accessories, cute hats, disposable cameras, etc. You can also put together tote bags to entertain the newly diagnosed children and their siblings during their first hospital stay. These should contain coloring books, crayons, small toy cars, small stuffed animals, craft sets, small dolls, small puzzles, activity books, hand puppets, etc. Visit www.thevaleriefund.org or call 973-761-0422.

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Troop Sponsor Thank You - Each Troop should provide annual service for their Troop Sponsor (where you have your meetings). Ask what they can use help with! 

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Whitemore Wildlife Sanctuary - Need help planting their bird and butterfly gardens, building birdhouses, trellises, benches, etc. Located at 7 Rockaway Rd Oldwick. Contact Judie McGrory at 908-439-0022x724

 

Woodlands Wildlife Refuge - Rehabilitation facility dedicated to the care and release of orphaned and injured wild animals. The staff and volunteers at Woodlands are trained in animal care and are educate people about their wild neighbors' habits and habitats. Located in Alexandria Township, Hunterdon County 5 minutes past Walmart; they handle 400-500 native wild animals each year. The release of healthy well functioning animals is their goal. They may need volunteers and they are looking for supply donations. Contact Tracey at 730-8300.  http://www.woodlandswildlife.org.

 

YMCA North Hunterdon Senior Center - They serve over 1200 seniors per year in the north end of Hunterdon County. Would love to have girls visit and do crafts, sing songs, play games, etc. Located at 285 County Rd. 513, Glen Gardner, N.J. Call Beth Wolfmayer at 908-638-6515