Ways to give locally
This is the time of year when we show generosity to one another with gifts, our time, even a meal. It's also a great time to help the many nonprofits in our towns. Listed below are some great organizations that would welcome your donation.
Achieve Foundation
Eileen Collins Neri, Executive Director
The Achieve Foundation promotes high-quality education that prepares South Orange-Maplewood School District students for the future by supporting our district's students, families and educators, and by addressing inequities, inspiring innovation, and fostering community. Donate at achievefoundation.org
CHS Scholarship Fund
Madeline Tugentman, President
The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund is a need-based scholarship program that awards scholarships to CHS seniors and graduates. Awards can be used toward any kind of post-secondary education, including graduate school. Donate at chssf.org
CivicStory
Susan Haig, Founder
CivicStory is a solutions-based news site focused on environmental health, justice, and sustainability. It advances news and information needed to build vibrant, inclusive communities. Donate at civicstory.org
Durand Hedden House & Garden Association
Gail Safian, President
Durand-Hedden House and Garden is Maplewood’s historic house museum that finds interesting ways to bring history to life by exploring our community's fascinating past – through nature, architecture, music, food, social life, local and regional history, reenactments and participatory activities – and to spotlight the "treasures" in our own backyards. Donate at durandhedden.org
Food Bank News
Chris Costanzo, Founder and Editor
Food Bank News creates a community where those working in hunger relief can gain access to news, information, and resources to help them achieve the goal of eliminating hunger. By promoting best practices in hunger relief via an independent, national news source, Food Bank News aims to generate more effective and lasting solutions for the 40 million Americans suffering from food insecurity. Donations made between now and the end of the year will be doubled. Donate at foodbanknews.org
Friends of South Orange Public Library
Anne Marie Maini, President
The Foundation for the South Orange Public Library helps the library fund capital and special projects so it can meet the diverse community needs of today, tomorrow and decades to come. Donate at soplfoundation.org
Girls On The Run
Sydney Davis, Executive Director
Girls on the Run inspires confidence and compassion. Trained volunteer coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build lifelong skills in girls. Donate at girlsontherunnj.org
JESPY House
Audrey Winkler, Executive Director
Located in South Orange, JESPY House supports 260 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, age 18 and older. JESPY’s programs assist clients in maintaining independent lives and provide support in the areas of employment, athletics and fitness, residential options, recreation, activities of daily living, and clinical and behavioral health. Donate at jespyhouse.org
Maplewood Library Foundation
Ben Cohen, President
The Maplewood Memorial Library Foundation project "Writing a New Story, A Library for the 21st Century" is raising funds for a total reconstruction of the main library. It welcomes your support of this town-wide fundraising drive. Donate at maplewoodlibraryfoundation.org
Maplewood South Orange Troop 5 Boy Scouts
Roger Brauchli, Scoutmaster
Troop 5, BSA, is a Scout-led organization designed to develop leadership skills and self confidence through working together, community service and adventure. Donate at troop5.us
Meadowland Park Conservancy
Matt Glass, President
The Meadowland Park Conservancy partners with the South Orange Village to reimagine and redesign the open spaces of the park as well as bring benches, furniture, signage, and schedule public events and programs that enrich the lives of people in our community. All donations go toward improving South Orange's largest and most visited park. Donate at meadowlandpark.org
Memorial Park Conservancy
Deborah Lyons, Chair
The Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy works in partnership with the Township of Maplewood in caring for, restoring, and improving our local gem, Memorial Park, a 25-acre oasis in the center, and at the heart, of town. Donate at memorialparkconservancy.org
MEND
Robin Peacock, Executive Director
Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND) is an interfaith network of 22 member food pantries throughout Essex County. MEND strengthens and supports its network by providing supplemental fresh and healthy food, funds, volunteers, and a monthly forum for collaboration, and by advocating for policies to improve the lives of patrons. MEND also partners with local organizations to provide free fresh food markets and home deliveries for those who cannot visit the food pantries. Donate at mendnj.org
Rent Party
Chris Dickson
Rent Party presents live music events to raise money to fight hunger in our community with shows featuring original music by various NJ, NY and national bands. Donate at rentpartylive.com
SOMA Action
Ritu Pancholy, President
SOMA Action is a grassroots organization in South Orange and Maplewood, focused on driving progressive change. Donate at somaaction.org
SOPAC
Dee Billia, Executive Director
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is an accessible cultural destination that presents diverse, world-class concerts, comedy shows, dance performances, family productions and more in an intimate and welcoming environment. Donate at sopacnow.com
South Mountain YMCA
James Goodger, District Executive Director
The South Mountain YMCA enriches the lives of children, families, and individuals in our community through programs that build spirit, mind, and body. Our YMCA branch offers a diverse array of programs for people of all ages including child care, theater, gymnastics, summer camps, wellness, teen, and before/after school programs. Donate at metroymcas.org
South Orange Rescue Squad
The South Orange Rescue Squad needs donations to purchase and maintain ambulances and medical equipment it uses to serve South Orange and the neighboring communities it helps. The pandemic highlights the importance of the South Orange Rescue Squad in our community. Donate at southorangerescuesquad.org
South Orange Symphony Orchestra
Susan Haig, Conductor
The South Orange Symphony presents three free concerts per season of the most wonderful and cherished orchestral works. Its members are a diverse mix of amateur and professional local musicians. Donate at southorangesymphony.com
South Orange-Maplewood Adult School
Liz Herring, Managing Director
The South Orange-Maplewood Adult School is a place where the community can gather to learn, stay informed and be entertained. The school offers over 150 classes and lectures in the fall and spring with a modified schedule in the summer as well as a popular Children's Summer Program. Donate at somadultschool.org
South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race
Nancy Gagnier, Executive Director
The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race works to build a community that is racially, culturally, and socially integrated and truly inclusive, where there is equity and equality for all. Donate at communitycoalitiononrace.org
Valerie Fund
Barry Kirschner, Executive Director
The Valerie Fund provides individualized care to children at medical centers close to home, to heal children emotionally, socially, developmentally, and medically. It also operates Camp Happy Times, a free summer camp for children with cancer as well as a scholarship program to encourage young adults to continue their education after high school. Donate at thevaleriefund.org
YouthNet
Diane Malloy, Executive Director
YouthNet serves the children of Maplewood and South Orange by developing and incubating programs to meet their identified needs including enrichment, clubs, mentoring, and community programs. Donate at somayouthnet.org
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