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Saturday night's Brown Bag Bash was awesome. The percussionists from Summit HS were fantastic -

check them out. http://youtu.be/uIt2b_CxIhw—Jennifer Malone

The Brown Bag Bash was a great night out. The format was perfect in that it was so easy to move around and be sociable. Both food and venue were stunning. - Rob Pullan

Newsletter June 1, 2011

Every two years, Bridges hosts a biennial fundraiser that brings volunteers,

donors and our homeless friends together for an evening of fine food and

entertainment. On May 14, 2011, over 250 guests including many of our

homeless friends enjoyed a fabulous evening catered by David Ellis and

entertained by the Summit High School Jazz Band and Percussion Ensemble along

with jazz dancers from the Dance Theatre and Education Center of the Irvington

Township. Many guests went home with silent auction purchases and a live

auction conducted by Nick Dawes, “Antique Road Show” appraiser, raised 2/3 of

the funds needed to purchase a new fifteen passenger van that will help Bridges

expand its efforts in New York City, Newark and Irvington.

Thank you to all our donors and supporters of the Bash especially our

steering committee. A special thanks to our major corporate sponsor, Prudential,

and all our sponsors: The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation; The MCJ Amelior

Foundation; West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., and R&R Marketing.

Bridges Board of Trustees

2010-2011 Janice Beckmen, Co-chair

Kathryn Radutzky, Co-chair Bob Rowan, Treasurer

Beth Tulloch, Secretary

Alison V. Bryant John Crosby Laura Fromm

Amy Cairns Harrison Diane Hoey Frank Keller Jon Maslin

Rabbi Ellie Miller Leonard Prentice Victoria Smith Ginger Stearns

Jean Trees William “Prez” Tyus

John Vigilante Dimitri Vorona Geoff Worden

Emeritus Trustees Judy Newhouse

Sarah Rosen Susan Tully

Ginger Worden

Bridges Brown Bag Bash

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for more photos and news

Habitat for Humanity

On Saturday, May 7th,

fifteen Bridges

volunteers help to build

the Habitat House right

down the street from

Bridges at 39 Morris

Avenue in Summit.

Working in different

groups, some of us

raised a portion of the

roof, others worked on

waterproofing and other

did some heavy lifting.

Working along side of

one of the residents who

proudly showed us her

“living room” was an invigorating experience both

the novice builders and the professionals who also

volunteered with our team.

We plan two to work on the house two more

days this summer. Keep a look out for messages.

Workers need to be at least 16 years of age.

Peace Conference in Newark

His Holiness the Dalai Lama convened an historic summit of peacemakers at the invitation of the City of Newark and hosted by the Mayor of Newark, the Honorable Cory A. Booker. All three members of the

Bridges Operations staff attended the summit and

found the conversation to be not only visionary for

a world of peace but also relevant to the issues of

violence and inequality we see close to home on a

Bridges Run.

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Core Volunteer

Opportunity We are looking for individuals who are

interested in a meaningful and regular volunteer opportunity. Bridges is forming a “core” group of volunteers, perhaps 20 to 25, who would rotate one

week a month and go out on the Friday night Run to New York City or Saturday Run to Penn Station in Newark once every 4 or 5 weeks.

Your volunteer role will be social and interactive. You will not be asked to bring lunches or other items. We are asking you for your time, friendship, and compassion.

On Thursday, May 5th, the group got together for a pizza and conversation. It’s a great group of committed individuals. Call for more information.

Sorting Donations We receive literally tons of donations every year. All items need to sorted. Volunteers may join in the sorting any Tuesday between 9 and 3 and/or Fridays between 9 and 6. Home from college? Stop by! Summer Volunteers Summer is a great time to volunteer with Bridges. Come

on a Run or make some lunches. We can really use the help. United We Stand Bridges is partnering with United We Stand

a group that offers free HIV testing in Newark. The Bridges truck drew many people and several agreed to testing. Great group of volunteers. We are

thrilled to partner with the organization every 4th Tuesday of the

month. Adults may sign-up to volunteer for this Run.

For more details and to register for volunteer

activities, contact Craig Prince, Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

Teens

Donate Today! Bridges receives its funding from foundation grants, a biennial fundraiser, unsolicited donations and one annual appeal. To our donors, thank you. Donations may be made on line at www.bridgesoutreach.org.

Organizing a Bridges Run to New York City, Newark or Irvington is indeed a team building experience. Bridges welcomes groups of volunteers from large corporations or small businesses. Call us or visit our website for

more details.

The Teens Tackle Homelessness steering committee started working together in January and the group has

now more than 30 teens from several area high schools. The conference will be on Saturday, November 14,

2011, at Kent Place School. Sign-up now on our website: www.bridgesoutreach.org. A full brochure will be available in a few weeks. This committee has also been going on Runs and a few

came on the Habitat Build in early May. They will be organizing Runs this summer, working on the Habitat House, helping with the teen summer programs and with the younger children from a Newark shelter much more. They are a terrific group of students. The group has evolved into much more than just the steering committee for the conference. Contact

lois@bridgesoutreach.net if interested in joining.

Corporations—looking for a team building experience?

CIT volunteers at Bridges

Will Van Nispen, Millburn High on the Habitat Build.

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Volunteers in Action

Dear parents and awesome volunteers, Parents - thanks to all of you for making the Bridges event last weekend was a HUGE success! We could not have

done it without the generosity of so many of you donating food and clothing. I sincerely thank all of you for your help. It was such a great experience, everyone had fun, and we all got a lot out of it! Awesome volunteers - you rocked this past weekend! Thank you so much for all your assistance on Friday and

Saturday. We were able to make 250 sandwiches and sort tons of clothes in record time on Friday night. Saturday was a GREAT team effort to make not one, but two, Newark runs. With your help we were able to provide over 500 lunches, 50 breakfasts, warm soup, toiletry bags, and

tons of clothes to so many people less fortunate than us! I

know we were all tired, hungry and thirsty at the end – but what a great mitzvah! I am so happy you had fun and felt it was a good experience too. Thanks so much guys!

Love, Ash

Student Makes Run Happen

Note: Ashley is a student a Millburn High. Can

you put together a Run? For more information,

visit www.bridgesoutreach.org and see the

training film under education and training. We

could use your help.

Ashley and her friends on the Bridges’ Run

Clockwise: Students from Golda Och Academy volunteer with Bridges on their day of service; volunteers help wash the Bridges’ truck for the Summit Memorial Day Parade; Madison High make Bridges part of their day of service; student from Long Valley Middle School did a toiletry drive and dropped off all his donations; and Daisy Troop delivers 50 breakfast bags.

To volunteer, contact: volunteerbridges@gmail.com Thanks to all our volunteers.