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Bridges Outreach January 2011 Newsletter
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Newsletter January 2011
Holidays at Bridges are amazing and 2010 was not different. Bridges delivered over 3,000 gifts this holiday season to homeless in New York City, Newark, and Irvington. Many live on the street while other live in temporary shelters or in great need. The Verona Service League provided funds for 300 pairs of warm boots and “hoodie” sweatshirts; houses of worship, schools and clubs donated hundreds of other items including over 900 pairs of new pajamas and 250 toys. Additionally, Bridges purchased many new items.
We were greatly touched by the innovative ways that friends thought to include Bridges in their holiday traditions. An annual neighborhood lunch brought in over a $1,000 in gifts and donations; a book club collected over 20 instead of their usual tree ornament exchange, a company brought in hundreds of gifts from the company’s holiday party in lieu of the usual “grab bag,” a group of friends bought holiday gifts for families in need in Newark, and friends who love to bake, made and boxed over 188 boxes of cookies for distribution on one of our holiday Runs. The true spirit of giving was everywhere.
On behalf of all who received gifts, thank you.
Bridges Board of Trustees
2010-2011 Janice Beckmen, Co-chair
Kathryn Radutzky, Co-chair Bob Rowan, Treasurer
Beth Tulloch, Secretary
Alison V. Bryant John Crosby Laura Fromm
Amy Cairns Harrison Diane Hoey Frank Keller Jon Maslin
Rabbi Ellie Miller Leonard Prentice Victoria Smith Ginger Stearns
Jean Trees William “Prez” Tyus
John Vigilante Dimitri Vorona Geoff Worden
Emeritus Trustees Judy Newhouse
Sarah Rosen Susan Tully
Ginger Worden
Honorary Trustee Howard Tate
Bridges Delivers Over 3,000 Holiday Gifts
Preparation of homemade holiday cookies.
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MLK Day of Service
Martin Luther King, Jr.—Day of Service at Bridges
Monday, January 17, 2011 — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Please participate in an age appropriate activity.
Pre-K to Kindergarten – 2nd floor – decorate brown bags
Grades 1, 2, and 3 – 1st floor – wrap books and gifts for sheltered children
Grades 4, 5 and 6 – 1st floor – make quilts for a sheltered child
Grades 7 and 8 – 2nd floor – make brown bag lunches or basement to sort toiletries
High School Student and Adults – basement – sort clothing donations;
1st floor - sort toiletries;1st floor – letter writing campaign
11:00 a.m. Viewing of No Where to Go followed by a discussion with the director of the film,
Lori H. Ersolmaz of Voices of Hope Productions. Appropriate for high school and adult viewers.
No Where to Go highlights the need for, and barriers to safe, stable housing. Through testimonies of im-
passioned advocates and previously incarcerated individuals, this video presents the options of housing
including streets, shelters, transitional living facilities, family homes, and permanent supportive housing.
As formally incarcerated people are often challenged by issues of addiction, mental health, and violence,
the type of housing available to a person drastically impacts their ability to successfully re-enter society
and realize their full potential. No Where To Go provides urgent and critical insight into how we can pro-
vide the best supportive structure possible to ensure their success. Directed and produced for American
Friends Service Committee by Voices of Hope Productions. Oakes Theatre, 1st floor
10:45 and 11:15 Reading Circle – for our youngest volunteers, 2nd floor
Run Volunteer Training Video
The Bridges training video for Run volunteers is
now available on our website
(www.bridgesoutreach.org) and on YouTube:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%
2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZfM-
2XuHa1A&h=bdfc3
The film is a great way to get a good look at a
Bridges Run and the role of the volunteer group
leader for the Run as well as the individual role on a
Run. A training manual accompanies the video on
our website. It is a “must see” for all volunteers.
Donate Today!
Bridges receives its funding from foundation grants,
a biennial fundraiser, unsolicited donations and one
annual appeal. To our donors, thank you.
Donations may be made on line at
www.bridgesoutreach.org.
Anyone out there a member of
Kiwanis? If so, we need your help!
Bonnie Brae Hosts Fundraiser for Bridges
The boys at Bonnie Brae have combined the art of
making pottery soup bowls and their culinary skills
into a fundraising lunch were guests were served
homemade soup in hand made ceramic bowls.
That lunch raised over $1,000 to Bridges. Read
this heartening story at:
http://baskingridge.patch.com/articles/bonnie-
brae-bisque-helped-raise-funds-to-feed-homeless
Bridges is honored to be the recipient of
containing support from the students at Bonnie-
Brae, a residential school for boys in Basking
Ridge. The boys and staff regularly go on Runs to
New York with Bridges and answer our calls for
volunteer help from time to time.
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Friday Volunteer Opportunity
We are looking for individuals who are
interested in a meaningful and regular volunteer
opportunity. Bridges is forming a core group of
volunteers, perhaps 20 to 25, who would rotate one
week a month and go out on the Friday night Run
to New York City once every 4 or 5 weeks.
Your volunteer role will be social and
interactive. You will not be asked to bring lunches
or other items. We are asking you for your time,
friendship, and compassion.
Quilters, Sewers, Crafters Needed
In preparation for the MLK Day of Service, we need
volunteers to cut fleece for blankets that we will be
making to give to shelters. Join us on January 4th,
5th, or 6th, between 10 a.m. and noon at Bridges,
120 Morris Avenue. Bring a pair of cutting sheers!
If you can’t join on these days and times, but would
like to help, call Lois at 908-273-0176.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Save the date: Monday, January 17, 2011,
Bridges will be participating in Summit’s 13th annual
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. Bridges will
be offering volunteer opportunities for all ages.
Point in Time Count
HUD’s mandated Point in Time Count (PITC) is a
one-day count of the number of individuals living on
the streets, in emergency shelters and transitional
units. The PITC is important. It is the basis for
services, funding and housing for homeless in
Newark and Essex county. Volunteers are needed
for any time during the 24 hours of January 27,
2011.
Teens Tackle Homelessness
The first student high school steering committee for
Teens Tackle Homeless will take place the last week
in January. All high school students are welcome to
become part of this steering committee. Teen
Tackle Homelessness is a conference on
homelessness for high school students.
Service Fair
Students: represent Bridges at a service fair on
Sunday, January 30, 2011. Two hour shifts
available. Great way to earn community service
hours and share your Bridges experiences.
Sorting Donations
We receive literally tons of donations every year.
All items need to sorted. Volunteers may join in the
Focus Group Meeting
On December 9th, thirteen people who meet our
New York Run each week and who have personally
experienced homelessness came to Bridges in
Summit for a holiday lunch and focus group
meeting.
The lunch was a good opportunity get to
know these friends away from the street and to
seek their opinions on how we can improve our
New York Runs. Some have become our partners
on the Run, assisting volunteers and our Run
Coordinators.
Save the Date: Bridges Brown Bag Bash – May 14, 2011
Planning has begun for biennial fundraising event,
the Bridges Brown Bag Bash to be held on May 14,
2011, at the Morris Museum in Morristown.
Catering by David Ellis Caterers. Entertainment?
You just never know at a Bridges Brown Bag Bash.
To join the planning committee, contact
lois@bridgesoutreach.org.
NO CLOTHINGN DONATIONS
BETWEEN TUESDAY, JANUARY
18TH AND MARCH 1ST. This will give us an opportunity to distribute all
donated winter clothing and prepare for spring.
Thank you for your generous donations.
Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities
continued
sorting any Tuesday between 9 and 3 and/or
Fridays between 9 and 6. Home from college, stop
by!
Food Drive
Watch for details of February food drive to benefit
neighbors in Summit and Irvington.
For more details and to register for volunteer activities, contact Craig Prince, Volunteer
Coordinator at volunteerbridges@gmail.com.
Events and Announcements
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Volunteers in Action
Paramus Catholic High School students and faculty prepare for and go on a Bridges’ Run to New York City.
Employees at NuStar Energy in Linden collect over 100 pair of pajamas for Bridges.
Thanks to the good folks at
L'Oreal in Clark and Edison
NJ for the donation of 6,400
(over 1000 pounds) tubes of
shampoo. Pictured with the
waist high box of shampoo is
Craig Prince, Volunteer Coor-
dinator.
Teri Lusty organized friends to make 188 boxes of homemade holiday cookies for the Bridges Christmas Run.
Thanks to the Cornerstone Kindergarten class for making and delivering lunches to Bridges .
The Bridges Board, Staff, and friends of Bridges
wish you and your families a happy and healthy 2011.
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