'Work Out to Help Out' Fundraiser This Weekend

The New York Sports Club will hold a fundraiser to help those affected by Super Storm Sandy.

Help those most affected by Super Storm Sandy and get a workout at the same time this weekend at the New York Sports Clubs’ Work Out to Help Out fundraiser.  To kick off the season of giving, NYSC is raising money for the New York Cares Hurricane Sandy relief effort with a fundraiser at every location between Friday and Sunday. The NYSC in Livingston is located at 39 W. Northfield Ave. The Work Out to Help Out fundraiser will include:  In addition, the NYSC will provide additional special program classes at each location.  

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Livingston Residents Among the Most Charitable in NJ

See where Livingston stands in the rankings of charitable towns.

Livingston residents donate almost 3.6% of their annual income, according to a new study released Monday by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.  Livingston residents ranked 187 out of 28,725 New Jersey towns for contributions, donating $53.3 million in 2008 with an average family contribution of $4,137. Rabbi Lawrence Groffman of Temple Sholom of West Essex realizes one of the reasons his temple is so successful is because of his congregant’s generosity. “Our High Holiday campaign supports the overall day-to-day running of the temple,” Groffman said, “Our whole congregation is generous.” The study shows Essex County residents share Groffman’s assessment locally, countywide and statewide. Charitable donations for non-profits and religious …

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Did you see that kid with white hair?

Local family raises a child with albinism with support from NOAH. What do you know about albinism? Would you like to learn more?

If you ask a pregnant woman what she wants to have, you will almost always get the same answer – “A healthy baby.” We all fear the worst and hope for the best. We do the best we can to be healthy and eat and drink all the things that are good for our baby. We live for nine months with the slight fear in the back of our minds, the stories of babies who have one condition or another that can be caused by the mother doing something during pregnancy. My husband is Chinese and I am Caucasian. During my pregnancy, we dreamed of our baby. A little boy with light Asian features.  No doubt he would have black hair and dark brown eyes. Try to imagine our surprise when the big day came, we went to the hospital to have our baby and when he came out …

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Aquinas Academy Helps Others During Catholic Schools Week

Students collected canned food, clothing and raised money for children's leukemia, lupus and typhoon relief.

Students at Aquinas Academy got the chance to help those who were less fortunate both near and far during Catholic Schools Week with a multitude of activities, including reading and science programs, as well as a book fair.  The charitable work began on Monday when the children collected a bus-load of non-perishable food to donate to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, said Academy Principal Sister Lena Picillo. The students also created 150 "thinking of you" cards to distribute to senior citizens at Care One in Livingston, as well as the homeless at Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Newark and the Market Street Mission in Morristown, Picillo said.  Old clothes, household items and toys were collected on Monday and …

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Heart and Sole at Foot Festival

The Livingston Fall Foot Festival collects gently worn shoes for the needy.

The Livingston Fall Foot Festival (LFFF) volunteers have been collecting gently used and new shoes in Livingston and other nearby locations, for donation to Soles4Souls. On Sunday, they put their heart into the soles, sorting and bagging the donated shoes. Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that provides shoes to the world’s less fortunate men, women, and children. Since 2005, the group has given away more than 14 million pairs of shoes to souls in over 127 countries, including the United States. Shoes are being collected in Livingston through Nov. 30 at the West Essex Tribune, Dubrows Nursery, YMCA, and 425 Eagle Rock Ave. in Roseland. For more information, call (973) 218-2832 or visit http://www.soles4souls.org.

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Bare Necessities: Recycling Gently Used Bras

Bra Recyclers lends support to women in need.

Rebecca G. gave away a small fortune in big bras. The Essex County resident, who for reasons of modesty -- and, she laughs, “because my kids taught me the expression ‘TMI’,” -- chose to be identified only by first name. But she admits she's “crazy for bras.”  In recent weeks, Rebecca has purged her lingerie drawers for reasons personal and philanthropic. She donated more than 100 bras to The Bra Recyclers. “I don’t dress fancy,” says Rebecca. She grew up dressing modestly and, when she became an accountant, wore conservative suits almost daily. As a full-time mother, Rebecca traded business attire for what she describes as “conservative casual.” However, she indulges a “love of lace and the frills” by buying lingerie. Her collection …

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NCJW Provides Back to School Basics

National Council of Jewish Women helps kids get ready with backpacks, clothing and supplies.

Third-grader Edgar Urena was so excited about receiving a new pair of jeans and sneakers at the National Council of Jewish Women’s Back 2 School Store that he wore them home. Held inside B’nai Shalom, Edgar was one of 500 economically disadvantaged youngsters who took part in the third annual event.  “I’m really appreciative for this opportunity,” said Maria Urena, Edgar’s mother.  “It’s really a blessing. It’s funny too because when he goes to the store with me, he can’t choose what he wants. But he did so well here because his shopping guide said he has great taste.” Youngsters from 20 participating agencies showed up at B’nai Shalom in West Orange. Volunteer shopping guides greeted and escorted Edgar and every other child who took part …

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Gifts for Soldiers: To Give Is Better Than to Receive

A birthday is celebrated with gifts to send to U.S. troops.

For seven years, Livingston resident Susan Larney has been sending box loads of personal items and letters to people she doesn’t even know. This dedication is focused on the soldiers serving overseas as she supports her favorite charity, AnySoldier.com.  This year for her birthday, Larney rented out the Florham Park Roller Rink for an evening of skating and celebration, asking that in lieu of gifts, the attending families bring items that she will send to the troops. The charity provides support for military personnel stationed abroad through letters of support and items they miss from home.  As people poured in to the roller rink, the tables filled with items to be sent to deserving men and women. A poster topped the table displaying …

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Barristers Come to Bat for Fresh Air Fund

Law firms raise $100,000 playing softball at Brookdale Park.

The jury's still out on how much was raised when lawyers played ball this week for the Greater Newark Fresh Air Fund, but $100,000 was expected to be donated to help inner-city kids go to camp. Despite the humid weather, hundreds of teammates and families came out to show their support at the 25th annual Battle of the Barristers. Federal and state judges served as base umpires.  "It's a nice day," said Kevin Flynn, 42, of Sills, Cummis & Gross PC. "It could be a little cooler but it's going alright." Karim Kasper, committee chairman for the event and representing Lowenstein Sandler, was pleased with the turnout. "Great day, great event, great turnout by everybody: players, teams, judges."

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Groceries for the Hungry

A day spent at the Kosher Food Pantry, snapping (photos) and packing (food).

Livingston’s Temple Emanu-El is one of many groups that support the Bobrow Kosher Food Pantry of Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange by bagging and distributing groceries on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings.   When my friend Deb Spencer, chair of the Temple’s Social Action Committee, asked if I’d like to help out during a recent Sunday morning, I knew I would be glad to support this South Orange food distribution program that provides food to those in need.  The numbers of hungry have continued to grow in the past five years.  Hunger, sometimes called “food poverty,” is in every community.   Once inside Oheb Shalom we went past the classrooms filled with students and teachers and walked two flights down to where the Bobrow Kosher…

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