To the Editor:

Volunteers have a huge impact on our communities. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, 61.8 million individuals contributed 8 billion hours of volunteerism, generating an economic value of $162 billion nationwide.

VolunteerConnect recognizes the importance of volunteers through its annual Impact Award. This year, we are proud to honor Anne VanLent, NRG Energy, and Habitat for Humanity of Trenton for their dedication to volunteerism and their impact in Central New Jersey. The three recipients were recently recognized at a cocktail reception, The Story of Volunteering, at Labyrinth Books in Princeton.

It is with great appreciation that I would like to thank the award winners for allowing VolunteerConnect to publicly recognize their efforts. In addition to our award, the honorees graciously received a State Joint Resolution by State Senator Shirley Turner, State Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, and Assemblywoman Elizabeth Muoio acknowledging the commitment and impact their volunteer efforts have made in the State of New Jersey. We are extremely thankful that Senator Turner, Assemblyman Gusciora, and Assemblywoman Muoio took the time to acknowledge and highlight the dedicated pro bono work that our awardees have contributed to the State and our communities.

The Board and Staff would also like to express our gratitude to Dorothea von Moltke of Labyrinth Books for opening their doors to allow us to tell our “Story” in the perfect setting. In addition, we’d like to thank the committee and event volunteers that helped to make the evening a success. We were also able to exceed our event financial goals with support from our major event sponsors, including, NRG Energy, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP, Novo Nordisk, Gil Gordon, Investors Bank, Heidi Joseph, Primed Associates, Pidgeon & Pidgeon, Robin Fogel & Associates, and Taft & Partners.

The success of this event will help VolunteerConnect support the strategic needs of Central New Jersey nonprofits by training future and current board trustees, connecting them with skills-based volunteers and providing professional development opportunities for their staff. Please visit VolunteerConnectNJ.org, call (609) 921-8893 for more information.

Amy Klein, 

Executive Director, VolunteerConnect