Be the Change...

Serve-A-Thon 2008 is May 17th!

On May 17th 2008 Pass It Along will once again be holding our annual Serve-A-Thon.  This will be our 7th year of running Sussex County's biggest volunteer community service day of the year.  Last year over 220 volunteers came out for a day of service, many of them high school youth.  This year we have added a new element to our day by incorporating families with young children into the mix.  After our opening ceremony at Sussex County Community College, we will be introducing "Little Citizens Mini Serve-A-Thon" where families with young children ages 3-12 will be able to stay and work on their own service projects especially geared for little ones. 

Last year was a huge success and this year is looking to surpass last year in the depth of the projects as well as the number of projects.  A sample of some of these projects planned for this year are painting shelters to creating multiple vegetable, butterfly, and enabling gardens at various locations.  We will also be coordinating many projects involving yard work for seniors, organizing food pantries, trail work, cooking meals and mentoring children to name just a few. 

Details are now available on our website.  Each project will have a limited number of spots available.

Projects are filling quickly!  Don't lose your spot for this year, email Sue@passitalong.org now!

  We will be holding an orientation to explain your role as a Project Leader on May 1st from 7-8 pm at Sparta United Methodist Church.  Please contact Susan at sue@passitalong.org for more information.  Or you can call our office at 973-726-9777 during regular business hours.

Hunger Awareness in Sussex County

In conjunction with our Serve-A-Thon and in partnership with Sussex County United Way and their partners, we are asking individuals and businesses to conduct a food collection to help stock our local food pantries for the upcoming summer months.  In the 06/07 school year, 1,566 children received free lunch - 901 children received reduced lunch.  What will these children do for the summer?  In order to be prepared for this situation, our county food pantries need to restock their shelves.  All food collected can be dropped off the morning of Saturday May 17th under the pavillion at Sussex County Community College.  Food will then be separated by youth during the Little Citizen Academy Mini Serve-A-Thon and distributed to local food pantries that directly serve Sussex County children.

Suggested Items for Collection are:

• Canned meats such as beef stew, chili, ravioli
• tuna
• fruit juices and fruit juice boxes
• nonperishable milk
• granola bars, crackers and healthy snacks
• peanut butter and jelly
• cereal
• spaghetti and sauce
• macaroni and cheese
• spoons and can openers

For more information, please contact maria@passitalong.org or call the office at 973-726-9777

 1. Feature Events

Save The Upcoming Date!!!

     A Gathering in the Vineyard  

Saturday June 14th
7:30 - 11:00 pm
The Florentine Ballroom and The Courtyard
Perona Farms

  Platinum Pre-Event

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Champagne Tasting, early access to all wine tasting, International Cheese Tasting, Hors D’Oeuvres provided by EAT!
and raffle drawings worth over $1,000

Platinum $125 pp

Evening Highlights

7:30 - 11:00 pm

Wine Tasting hosted by The Wine Library
Epicurean Treats provided by Gourmet Thyme
Dessert Tasting by EveryThing HomeMade 
Music and Dancing with Captains of Leisure

Silent and Live Auction

Gold $75 pp

Ticket Purchasing can now be purchased online, please go to:

 http://thegathering.kintera.org/ 

All proceeds will go to fund the Charitable Efforts of Pass It Along and the communities it Serves

DINE OUT TO DONATE

Save your appetites on May 7th to help Pass It Along by eating either lunch or dinner at Applebee's in Newton from 11am to close.  You can go on our website and click a link to print out the coupon.  You MUST bring the coupon with you in order to participate.  Take out orders are included as well!  Pass It Along will recieve 10% of all proceeds from your bill to help us continue providing quality programs to the community.
 

2. Youth Council Upcoming Events

Attention High School Seniors!!!

 The Burt Brazill Scholarship is now available.  If you have volunteered your time with Pass It Along and would like to apply for the scholarship, please contact Susan at sue@passitalong.org for an application.  You can also stop by the office during regular business hours and pick up an application.  All applications must be back in our office by April 11, 2008.

Cooking for Interfaith Hospitality

We will be cooking and sharing a meal with Interfaith Hospitality Network at The Branchville United Methodist Church on April 29th from 4-7 pm.  Youth Volunteers are needed to cook, serve, and share some time with the clients of Interfaith.  For more information and to sign up, please email kelly@passitalong.org or call the office at 973-726-9777.

Partnership Celebration with Family Support Organization

On May 8th we will be partnering with FSO to create an evening celebration for teens from Sussex and Morris county through different art mediums.  This event will take place from 6 - 8 pm at Sparta United Methodist Church.  Please save the date!!

Project Leaders and Student Volunteers Needed for an Literacy Program

This will be a homework help/mentoring program that will run in several locations around Sussex County.  They will be based in Hardyston, Franklin, Montague, and Frankford.  This will be a weekly commitment and training will be provided.  Please contact Kelly at kelly@passitalong.org for more information and to sign up for the training.

Enabling Garden at Knoll Heights 

We need students who would be willing to help maintain a garden at Knoll Heights Senior Center during the summer.  This garden will be built during the Serve-A-Thon, but the seniors will need help maintaining it during the summer.  Please contact Susan at sue@passitalong.org or call the office for more information.

2008 Youth Conference Planning Committee

Planning Committee Needed to get together during the summer for planning out Youth Conference 2008 which will be held on September 25th at McNeice Auditorium.  Get involved and be a part of the Youth Conference Committee!!!  Please contact Susan at sue@passitalong.org today!

  3.Volunteer Opportunities

Walk-A-Thon/Sport-A-Thon

Committee members are needed for Walk-A-Thon/Sport-A-Thon in the fall.  Please email Kelly at kelly@passitalong.org to become a part of the planning process for this important fundraiser for Pass It Along programming. 

Shopping for the Elderly
Brookside Terrace in Newton has residents who need help with grocery shopping.  The lists and funds are provided - all you have to do is shop!  If you can help please email Janell at  cjanell@gmail.com.

Pet Therapy
Join us the last Wednesday of each month at the Homestead Nursing Home with your well-behaved pet!!  The seniors get a thrill out of meeting the animals and their owners.  Take this opportunity to help an elderly person feel love and compassion.  The group meets at either 2 pm or 6 pm.  Please call Pat Bailey at 973-729-5015 for more information and to sign up.   

Skilled Volunteers Needed