LOOKING FORWARD, GIVING BACK
Four deserving young people have won scholarships from the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF)—and the foundation has also given a grant to an organization to help with its good work: • Amber Holmes-Edgar and Sherleen Yunes, Teaneck High School Class of 2023, received $1,000 scholarships from Jannie Smith Legacy Fund, which supports students of color graduating from Teaneck High School who have been affected by a family member’s battle with cancer. • Ryan Hugerich, New Milford High School Class of 2023, was given a $2,000 scholarship from the Darren Drake Memorial Fund, which seeks to provide educational opportunities for high school graduates who pursue studies at trade schools rather than four-year colleges. • Harry Skountzos (middle), Leonia High School Class of 2023, received a $2,000 scholarship from the Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund awards scholarships to students who embody qualities of kindness, generosity and compassion. • CancerCare, Paramus, a nonprofit that helps community members manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer, received a $10,000 grant to benefit Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp, which helps families with children who have recently lost a loved one to cancer. Hackensack-based NNJCF has spent the past 25 years working with local governments, school districts, businesses, nonprofit organizations and citizen groups to improve community life. “During our 25th anniversary, we are delighted to support several organizations responding to the needs in their communities and making an impact,” says NNJCF Executive Director Leonardo Vazquez.
BRING THE FUN INSIDE
FULFILL HIS DREAM
In 55 years since his death, we are still learning lessons from Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. On Monday, Jan. 15, we celebrate what would have been the civil rights leader’s 95th birthday. It’s a national holiday, established to educate people of all ages about Dr. King’s dream of racial harmony and his peaceful approach to achieving it. It’s also become a National Day of Service, when all Americans are encouraged to volunteer in their community. In that spirit, here are some nonprofit groups that can connect folks with service projects happening in Bergen: • Bergen Family Center, Englewood, 201.568.0817, bergenfamilycenter.org. Can’t volunteer in person? The center, which provides services to individuals, families and children that enhance their ability to function independently and improve the quality of their lives, has a list of creative ways anyone can contribute virtually, such as a Zoom concert or a brunch. • Bergen Volunteers, Hackensack, 201.489.9454. Volunteers may sign up for a variety of initiatives, from the CHORE program that helps seniors and people with disabilities complete home projects to the mentoring program that connects mentors with children. • Family Promise of Bergen County, Ridgewood, 201.833.8009. Sign up for volunteer jobs such as administrative work, carpentry, childcare, résumé writing and tutoring. • Jersey Cares, Livingston, 973.533.1993; jerseycares.org. This is a statewide organization with several virtual and in-person projects for volunteers of all ages. • Table to Table, Saddle Brook, 201.944.1525; tabletotable.org. This group delivers fresh, high-quality food that otherwise would be discarded to clients across North Jersey. Individual and corporate volunteers can help “rescue” food and deliver it to those facing food insecurity. BERGENMAG.COM
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Professional athletes may brave the icy weather to train, but you don’t necessarily want your budding young enthusiast out in the cold. Fortunately, there are plenty of facilities in Bergen County that bring the outdoor fun inside: • Touch the sky at NJ Swingsets in Midland Park, an indoor wonderland of swings and slides. 59 Greenwood Ave., Midland Park; 201.670.4000, ext. 1; njswingsets.com • Hop and bounce at BounceU in Paramus, an indoor play place filled with inflatables and games. 70 Eisenhower Dr., Paramus; 201.843.5880; bounceu.com • Hit a home run at batting cages in Humdingers Paramus, an indoor entertainment center that also includes a bowling alley. 64 E. Midland Ave., Paramus; 201.701.1900; humdingersnj.com • Card a hole-in-one at Golfzon Range in Little Ferry, a virtual driving range and training space. 260 Bergen Tpke., Unit 1, Little Ferry, 201.983.0215; golfzonrange.com • Scale a “mountain” at Goat Climbing Gym in Hackensack, a climbing gym with dedicated youth hours. 77 River St., Hackensack, 201.402.9343; goatclimbinggym.com • Ski the slopes at Big Snow in American Dream, the first indoor ski park in North America. 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, 973.864.6600; bigsnowamerican dream.com
JANUARY 2024
12/14/23 10:10 AM