Day of Service

2011 Day of Service 

The Veterans’ Homes of New Jersey will be the focus of this administration’s Day of Service project on Saturday, October 22^nd. 

There are three veterans’ homes in New Jersey:  Menlo Park, Paramus and Vineland.

These Veterans’ homes are open to the service men and women from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy.

The first residents were veterans from the War of 1812, the Civil War and the Spanish American War, followed by World War I and World War II. The next generation of admissions’ included the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The services of these facilities will continue to serve the needs of veterans from the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

The idea of a veterans’ home in the United States originated in the philanthropic mind of New Jersey Governor Marcus L. Ward, who had great concern for the sick and wounded soldiers of the Civil War.  He believed that the commitment and obligation of the state and its citizens to these veterans did not end just because the war was over.

With the dedication of the New Jersey Soldiers’ Home in Newark in 1866, a proud tradition began – a tradition of concern and commitment to the veterans of New Jersey.  Since that time, New Jersey has remained in the forefront in providing the finest in residential and skilled nursing care for our veterans.

The Veterans Memorial Home – Menlo Park was rebuilt 1999 and is located in Middlesex County.  This is a 332 bed facility. It is the most modern, state of the art nursing home in the United States. There are currently 299 residents, of which 242 men are veterans and there are 57 women, of which only 11 are veterans.

The Veterans Memorial Home – Paramus open in 1986 and is located in Bergen County. This facility can accommodate 336 residents.  In residence now are 316 men and 20 women.

The Veterans Memorial Home – Vineland is the state’s oldest operating home, having opened in 1899. It has provided care to New Jersey veterans of every war since the War of 1812. Located in Cumberland County it was newly rebuilt in 2005 and serves 300 residents, of which 206 are men and 80 women.

These homes administer a dedicated volunteer program, of which the NJSFWC has long been a partner.  The homes are visited regularly by various veterans and civic organizations that provide the residents with companionship, holiday parties, entertainment, and games.

The residents live on a fixed living allowance. While their health needs are met, there is a need for personal care items and basic clothing. It is to this area of their needs that will be the focus of the 2011 Day of Service project for all the New Jersey State Federated Women’s Clubs.

Each of the Homes Volunteer Services Offices were contacted to request the Wish List for each facility. Once the lists were provided, the selection process identified items that were common to all 3 facilities. The following items are being requested for collection:

·         Clothing for Men:

Sweatshirts (sizes L to 3XL)

Sweatpants (sizes L to 3XL)

Tee Shirts    (sizes M to 3XL)

Hats; Baseball Caps (with adjustable band) & Knit winter Hats

Socks; (with Non-skid bottoms) or Crew socks (without elastic tops)

·         Personal Care:

Deodorant or Body Sprays, gender neutral

Hair Brushes & Wide Tooth Combs

Tooth Paste & Tooth Brushes

Denture Care Products; (adhesives and cleansers)

·         Miscellaneous items:

Batteries; all sizes “AA” to “D”, even hearing aid sizes

Sunglasses with dark lenses

Electric Razors

The selection parameters for the items collected are:

• All clothing items should be NEW.  Leave the tags on.
• Tee shirts, socks and batteries should remain in the original package.
• Personal care items should be easy open, choose brands accordingly.
• NO trial size or LARGE economy sizes should be collected.
• No liquids of any type are permitted
• Personal Care items should be in sealed original containers.

In order to include those clubs which do not want to purchase items to participate; we are accepting cash donations, which will be used to complete the collected items for presentation. Please send checks to NJSFWC Headquarters, earmarked Day of Service.

In service to the women who are residents of the homes, the Juniorettes only, will make a collection of Nail care products. The women population, of the homes is only a small percentage of the total number of veteran and non-veteran residents.

Please begin now to save your paper shopping bags with handles, shoe boxes with lids and plastic bags with drawstrings.  In so doing, it will allow us to recycle packaging items which will aid in the delivery of the items collected. 

Each of the eight districts will be assigned one of the three Homes:  Vineland, Menlo Park & Paramus.   Each district will have a pre-determined location that the clubs within the district can bring the items collected.  Addresses of locations will be included in the June and September District Council bulletins, September ALMANAC and NJSFWC website.

Each club will complete a “RED Picking Ticket” to identify the items contributed for reporting purposes.               

At the District collection site, a “WHITE Packing Slip” will summarize the total items received for that district. Since multiple Districts will be assigned to a specific Veterans’ Home, the collected items must then be transported to centralized location, close in proximity to the actual Veterans’ Homes.   

On the Day of Service, at the centralized location a Regional Chairman will complete a “BLUE Shipping Manifest” of the items being presented to the Veterans’ Home. This will enable the items to be tallied efficiently prior to the presentation on Saturday, October 22^nd. 

The three Veterans’ Homes Volunteer Services offices are very excited about the contribution by the NJSFWC.  They are each looking forward to hosting our Members that afternoon for the presentation.

The list of items being requested for donation has been included in the Club Presidents Roundtable packet.  Additional details will be made available at the June and September District Councils, September ALMANAC and NJSFWC website.

This chairman is still “recruiting” district chairmen and encourages all club women to “enlist” in this very special Day of Service.   This chairman remains optimistic that this “call to action” will be answered with the usual fervor of patriotism and volunteerism.  It is clear in the long history of the NJSFWC that clubwomen will rally around this Day of Service to our Veterans and ensure that a “draft” will not be necessary to accomplish this “campaign.”

If you are interested in “serving” as a District Chairman, please contact the Day of Service Chairman at dhughes@njsfwc.org.  Be a “lifesaver”, your service can make a difference, as their service to our country already has made a difference. Take time to thank a VETERAN, these men & women did dare to take action, did preserve the American dream and most of all do deserve our gratitude for their service.