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Local Nonprofits team up to celebrate Older Americans in the Great Goodie Bag Drop Off

Toms River, NJ (May 20, 2021) It has been a lonely year for many Older Americans as we have been trying to keep safe and stay socially distant. So local non profit organizations- Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, 5Help and Beacon of Hope-teamed up to celebrate seniors in Ocean and Monmouth Counties by dropping off goodie bags filled with small gifts and essential PPE items to Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey’s service receivers who were 95 years old or older living on their own. Volunteers dropped off these gifts and well wishes to over 100 people living in Forked River to Colts Neck. Each of these non profit organizations have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to help seniors and their families. 

“We did not want to let Older Americans month pass without honoring some of our oldest clients in some way. Traditionally, we would invite everyone to an in-person event, which we thought was too risky for this year. So we got creative and saw an opportunity to partner with 5help, a youth-led nonprofit and utilize our volunteers to make our older clients feel special” said Megan O’Keefe, Executive Director of Caregiver Volunteers. “It was great to see the young generation step up.” 5Help collected the items and put together the goodie bags.

During this month it is important to recognize the resilience and strength of the older Americans in our community. Although that celebration may look a little different this year, it is important to find a way, no matter how small, to honor and celebrate the older Americans in our community this month.

ABOUT CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS OF CENTRAL JERSEY (CVCJ)

CVCJ provides vital assistance to seniors, the disabled elderly, veterans, individuals with dementia, and caregivers of loved ones with chronic illness to allow them to remain independent in their own homes. All services are free of charge and delivered by 1,200 volunteers to over 2,500 Ocean and Monmouth County residents over the age of 60, who no longer drive. Volunteers provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, reassuring phone calls, friendly visits, and relief for family caregivers. To learn more about CVCJ, visit www.caregivervolunteers.org, Facebook @caregivervolunteers, or call 732-505-2273.