Community Corner

10 Ways to Volunteer in Bergen County

Gain valuable experience and meet new people through service to others.

Let's face it – we've all got some time to give if we just prioritized differently.  And many people, animals and causes could benefit from just a few hours of our time. 

With that in mind, here are some ways to volunteer some (or a lot) of your time close to home this holiday season and beyond:

Bergen County Volunteers
The Holy Grail of finding a Bergen County volunteer opportunity on the web.  Have handyman skills?  They can hook you up with someone who could benefit from them.  Feel the urge to mentor teens?  They've got you covered.  Yoga teacher looking to build your resume?  Try teaching yoga classes for seniors.

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bergen Family Promise
Help our homeless, hungry, or otherwise needy community members get back on their feet by supporting various aspects of BFP's organization. Take photos, make videos, help families move, provide support to adults in transitional housing, and much, much more.


Want to learn more about Bergen County's history? There's no better way than to help BCHS maintain its historic New Bridge Landing site, lead tours, staff the gift shop, or even just change lightbulbs. You're bound to hear a few stories along the way.

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New Jersey Metro Chapter of the MS Society
Wish you could volunteer more but can't leave the house to do it?  The NJ chapter of the MS Society has opportunities that you could do from home.  And if you see a future for yourself in the nonprofit sector, you can get your feet wet with fundraising and committee meetings with them.

Center for Food Action (CFA) New Jersey
CFA provides Bergen County with emergency supplies of food, counseling, and even occasional rental or utility assistance.  They can always use administrative support, warehouse work, and people to initiate food drives.

YWCA of Bergen County
Help out with swimming programs for physically and mentally challenged teens, join special events planning committees, or provide support to the rape crisis center.

Special Olympics New Jersey
We've all heard about it but only a few of us have actually been there.  They hold events throughout the year so are in constant need of volunteer coaches, healthcare volunteers, and volunteers at large.

Jewish Family Service Bergen County
From Adopt-a-Bubbe to Kosher Meals on Wheels, Jewish Family Service has an opportunity for those looking for something that helps promote Jewish culture.

Become a Fort Lee Volunteer Firefighter
The Fort Lee Fire Department needs dedicated men and women to help protect borough residents. The department is all volunteer except for the Fire Prevention Bureau, with four firehouses covering the entire borough.

Fort Lee Voluteer Ambulance Corps
The FLVAC provides EMS coverage between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends and is always open to new volunteers, who are "expected to commit with some flexibility to a minimum of one shift a week with an opportunity to ride more frequently as their schedule permits."


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