Tag Archives: volunteer

#HipNJ Cares

NJ Pediatric Dentists Provide Free Dental Care for Kids

In connection with National Children’s Dental Health Month, New Jersey’s very own renowned Family Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Cavan Brunsden, continues his 17 year quest to provide access to dental care for underprivileged children, by managing and participating in Give Kids a Smile. As the chairman of the New Jersey Dental Association committee for Give Kids A Smile, Brunsden continues personal strides to ensure that every year those in need have an opportunity to seek the dental treatment that everyone deserves for their children.

Give Kids a Smile is an annual, FREE one-day only donated dental service program which delivers preventive and restorative dental services for under-served children throughout NJ communities and beyond. Dr. Brunsden and his KidZdent pediatric dental team once again have hosted this remarkable event which took place on Friday, February 1, 2019 at their Old Bridge office location.

“Children are our future and their dental health is very important. For almost two decades, the New Jersey ‘GIVE KIDS A SMILE’ volunteer program has delivered complimentary dental care to over 50,000 children totaling over $7 Million dollars,” Dr. Brunsden insights. “This remarkable program has introduced many children and their families to the world of preventive dental care, affording them the opportunity to achieve lifelong, healthy smiles.  I am so proud of the efforts put forth by all of the volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and professional staff who have truly transformed the lives of so many children.  Children deserve to have a smile that lights up the world around them – and we are proud to create them,” he exclaimed!

Along with their highly-skilled team of dental professionals and administrators donating their expertise and time to this wonderful achievement, other volunteers recognized that they were also encouraging others to enrich their own lives by giving back- a top priority in KidZdent’s true mission!  It’s about action, but it’s also about a establishing a feeling and connection with one another.

Give Kids A Smile has not only attracted dentists and practices from across the Garden State to join in on the fun, but would not have been complete without the help of other local businesses like BAGEL BOY in Old Bridge who contributed a delicious, healthy breakfast for all of the volunteers.

KidZ Hub Media was onsite filming LIVE broadcasts with KidZdent staff and patients throughout the day. The celebration really turned into an impactful occasion for everyone who walked through the door.

Swimming in sea of brightly colored balloons, children were greeted in the waiting area by face painters, Chompster (KidZdent’s beloved mascot) and even the Tooth Fairy who flew in special, making a rare guest appearance on their Red Carpet for some photo-ops. This wasn’t just your average appointment in the office, which current patients have already compared to as ‘delivering a Disneyland of Dentistry’ type of experience.  This was a momentous sentiment in pediatric dentistry.

With #GKAS trending across all social media platforms, New Jersey’s own can see for themselves the countless smiling faces, selfies and uplifting moments of the day. Aside from the friendly give-a-ways, and of course dental treatment, every child left with their personal goodie bag filled with tools, prizes, and other educational materials to continue proper dental care at home. In New Jersey, this program is sustained by Colgate, Henry Schein Dental, Delta Dental of NJ and other privately funded donations.

“To me, this is more than just a statewide initiative. It’s a national movement- especially during these difficult times for many families who are struggling and the political divide when it comes to access to optimal healthcare… I am so inspired to be surrounded by a group of people who are leading other individuals down a idealistic path and ensuring that we practice what we preach when it comes to being ‘Jersey Strong’ or ‘Jersey Pride’. ” said one volunteer. 

This program was open to children (ages 12 and younger), lacking dental coverage or those with low-grade insurance policies. These children were able to receive a comprehensive dental examination, oral health instructions, fluoride treatments, and complimentary dental hygiene materials, including toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste.

Last February, in New Jersey alone, over 2,000 children visited nearly 100 sites across the state, including private dental offices just like Dr. Brunsden’s. As we await the results for 2019 from the NJDA, all of the volunteers feel accomplished after another successful year- exceeding expectations. Dr. Brunsden and his volunteer staff hope to leave a lasting sentiment by helping to bring awareness for even more dental practices in New Jersey to join in for next year!

*Dr. Cavan Brunsden has been highly accredited in practicing dentistry for more than 38 years.  KidZdent is located at 2455 Route 516 Old Bridge, New Jersey.

Community, Garden State Living

Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen: Free Meals for Furloughed Employees

As the government shutdown surpasses the thirty-day mark, furloughed federal employees continue to go without pay. Yesterday, thanks to rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, some of those employees received a helping hand in the form of a free meal and some much-needed comradery.

Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, served up more than 70 free meals to furloughed workers and their families. The two-hour event provided soup, an entree and a dessert, and was sponsored by Gov. Phil Murphy’s organization, the Philip and Tammy Murphy Family Foundation. The governor and his wife were in attendance to talk with diners.

Soul Kitchen is an eatery that provides organic and locally grown food to its patrons. According to their site, Soul Kitchen encourages customers who can pay to provide a $20 donation for their meal. Their Pay It Forward Program uses any additional donations to cover the cost of providing meals for those who are unable to donate.

Along with a free, multi-course meal, furloughed employees were able to enjoy each other’s company. Dining with others who understand their struggle in a family-like atmosphere was a welcome change.

One patron remarked that the first thing she would like to do upon the end of the shutdown, is to return to the restaurant and pay it forward.  

A second lunch will be offered tomorrow, January 23  from noon to 2pm at Soul Kitchen’s second location in Toms River, New Jersey. Any employee wishing to participate in the event is asked to bring proof of federal employment.

Looking for a way to help? You can volunteer your time at the Red Bank or Toms River locations. You can also make a tax-deductible donation to The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

#HipNJ Cares, Charity, Community, Fundraiser, Garden State Living, Philanthropy

#MakeADifferenceDay Jersey Cares

USA Weekend Magazine created Make A Difference Day back in 1992. Since then, many organizations have supported, developing campaigns centered around the holiday. Now, USA Today is its primary sponsor and organizer. It is the #1 location to find ways in which you can make a difference. Ways to celebrate are limitless. 

There are numerous organizations across the globe that focus on making a difference daily. #HipNJ would like to highlight Jersey Cares, a program filled with hundreds of volunteer opportunities, open to everyone! The make volunteering super simple! First you register, and then you can choose a volunteer opportunity, participate in an annual event, start a collection drive, or even get your company involved in their Corporate Service Program. 

Volunteer Opportunities 

Jersey Cares has volunteer opportunities available  every single day. For the remainder of the month, they have opportunities such as Marketplace, Tutoring and Mentoring, Pet Therapy, Halloween Costume Drives, Earth Keepers, Mobile Meals, Caring Closet, Care of the Park, Hunger Helpers, and so much more!

Annual Events 

Jersey Cares holds their Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event annually in order to embody Dr. King’s vision, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together. The goal is to strengthen their communities and build a stronger New Jersey. This year, 1700 volunteers in 20 service projects, across 10 counties, honored the legacy of Dr. MLK Jr. by serving hot meals to those who needed them, creating blankets for the homeless, painting murals in schools, sending time with seniors, and more! 

They also hold their September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance event annually. In 2017, they gathered 500 volunteers at a Jersey City high school. Volunteers honored those who were affected by 9/11 through projects such as creating thank-you kits for first responders, landscaping the schools 9/11 memorial, and painting inspirational murals in the hallway. 

Customized Corporate Service Programs

Becoming a Jersey Cares Partner means getting your company involved in a non-profit partnership that will benefit the community. Your company will receive customized volunteer project planning services for your employees, clients, vendors, family members and anyone else you choose. So far, Jersey Care Partners have participated in interactive workshops, financial literacy and resume building workshops, greenhouse building and more!

In addition, apart of the Customized Corporate Service Program is The Jersey Cares On the Go Program. It provides employees the opportunity to contribute to their communities through team-based projects that are implemented right in their offices or on-site at a conference!

As you can see, making a difference is made simple by Jersey Cares. Let’s join them today!

As they say, “Be the change. Volunteer.”