JLOSH President Christina Connant of Short Hills and her daughters express their thoughts on volunteering and how it makes them feel at the 4th Annual Kids For Kids Event organized by JLOSH.
From the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills:
Proving that little hands can make a big difference, more than 120 children, in addition to 40 Girl Scout members, 100 parents, and 50 Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills (JLOSH) members took part in the 4th annual Kids For Kids on March 21, 2016.
Kids for Kids a children’s volunteer event organized by JLOSH in partnership with 35 organizations.
Together, they collected over 200 toiletry bags, 55 grocery bags, 200 dental bags, and 100 camping bags for kids in need. In addition, attendees helped decorate a beautiful mural that will be displayed on the pediatric floor of St. Barnabas Hospital. On top of that, 22 no-sew blankets for St. Barnabas were also assembled.
The volunteer event took place at the George Bauer Community Center in Taylor Park in Millburn, on Saturday, March 12. In addition to collections and assembling of various bags, children were able to decorate “Send A Smile” notecards and nutritional placemats for food pantry customers, learn about eco-literacy, dental hygiene, nutrition basics and more. Attendees also participated in a photo booth that captured explanations on why volunteering is important and how it made them feel.
“What a joy to watch our members, neighbors and partners at this year’s Kids For Kids event work together and set positive examples of giving back to the community for our littlest volunteers,” said JLOSH President Christina Connant of Short Hills. “We are women building better communities, and together we continue to make a real impact by providing essential basic items for children in need.”
The event also marked the annual JLOSH Littlest Volunteers contest for children in grades 1st through 5th living in the towns of East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Orange, Short Hills, Springfield, South Orange and West Orange. To further promote volunteerism, winners will be awarded a prize of $100 to put their good ideas to work to help their community. Entry forms can be found on JLOSH’s website www.jlosh.org.
The Kids For Kids event was supported by community individuals and groups including Girl Scouts of America, Essex County Prosecutors Office, Interfaith Food Pantry, Interfaith Hospitality Network of Essex County, Family Intervention Services, Robin C. Crowley Food Pantry, Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, Metro YMCA of the Oranges and JLOSH financial sponsors: Dun & Bradstreet, Saint Barnabas Medical Center and CWI.Design.
The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, Inc. is an organization of women developed as civic and community leaders creating lasting community impact. JLOSH provides service to East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Orange, Short Hills, South Orange, Springfield and West Orange, and reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. To learn more about JLOSH, visit www.jlosh.org or find us on Facebook.
