Giving In Verona On Giving Tuesday

A former religious leader in Verona once talked about giving as a three-part equation: You can give time, talent or treasure. The focus of philanthropic outreach is often on the latter since many non-profits are short on the capital they need to carry out their mission. On Giving Tuesday 2022, you can look below for ways to give monetary treasure to Verona groups that help our community.

Your time and talent can also make a difference to these groups. The Verona Rescue Squad and Verona Fire Department are always looking for new volunteers and both provide substantial training in first responder work. But virtually all of the groups on our list have big annual projects that could benefit from a few more helping hands. So, too, can Verona’s many youth sports programs. Check with the Verona Recreation Department about getting certified as a coach.

You may also have non-monetary treasures that can be put to good re-use. First Presbyterian Church accepts donations of clothing and household goods for its thrift store, as does the pet adoption charity Rosemarie’s Rescue Ranch and the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit’s Heavenly Finds thrift shop. The latter is located in Livingston but it has supported a wide range of groups and activities in Verona.

And if you stop in to Dekko & Co. Hair Salon, Lakeside Deli, or Academy Apparel this holiday season, keep your eye out for a bowl of maroon and gold bracelets. They are part of a fundraiser created by middle-school student Giancarlo Jandoli.

GIVING TUESDAY 2022

• • • • • Friends of the Verona Public Library: Since 1984, the Friends have supported the Library’s children’s, teen and adult programs, and other needs. They also run the big December sale of used books, which this year runs from December 1 to December 4.
        • The Hilltop Conservancy: Since 2003, it has worked to restore the woodlands and grasslands of the 284-acre Hilltop Reservation on Verona’s west side.
        • Holy Spirit Food Pantry: The Episcopal Church opens its food pantry to anyone in need on the fourth Saturday of every month, and it accepts donations of food and financial support.
        • The Junior Women’s Club of Verona: Its members have been doing social and charitable work in Verona since 1926; newer programs include its Packs With Purpose school supplies drive and Verona Fights Hunger Week.
        • Minette’s Angels Foundation: Our home-growth breast cancer charity honors a nurse who once lived in Verona by helping patients and their families, supporting research, and offering scholarships to students in nursing and medical programs.
        • Rosemarie’s Rescue Ranch: An all-volunteer, all-foster rescue organization that has been saving the lives of dogs and cats since 2016.
        • Verona Children’s Fund: Created in 1984 to provide a variety of assistance to children, is supported solely through private donations; to support it, send a check payable to the fund to Town Hall.
        • Verona Fire Department: While the town supplies its trucks, volunteer firefighters and community donations make the VFD run.
        • Verona Foundation for Educational Excellence: VFEE gives teachers grants for programs to expand, enhance, and enrich the classroom learning experience.
        • Verona Lions Club: If you need a wheelchair, hospital bed, cane, or crutches, the Verona Lions can supply it from their free Hospital Loan Closet.
        • Verona Municipal Alliance Committee (VMAC): For more than three decades, it has supported programs to prevent the misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.
        • Verona Music Parents Association (VMPA): It supports music education across the district.
        • Verona Park Conservancy: For more than two decades, it has worked with the Essex County Parks Department to maintain and improve a park designed by the Olmsted Brothers.
        • Verona PBA Local 72: The PBA turns donations into Christmas trees for families in need, holiday cheer at special needs schools and support for many other community groups.
        • Verona Public Library Foundation: Launched in November 2022, it is dedicated to raising funds from larger gifts and endowments to enhance the resources and services at the Library.
        • Verona Rescue Squad: The all-volunteer squad has been providing free emergency medical services to Verona since 1927. Its website lists many ways that you can support the squad, from memorial donations to Amazon Smile.
        • Verona School Community Association (SCA): Each of Verona’s six public schools has an SCA, which support a wide variety of school programs.
        • VeronaTogether: This nonprofit is only a few years old, but it has already turned cornhole tournaments into powerful fundraisers.
        • Verona UNICO: The Italian-American service organization runs the big 5K race through town to fund college scholarships.
        • Verona Voices: The 50-year-old chorus holds an annual concert, community sing-along, and more.
        • Woman’s Club of Verona: It supports scholarships and many other groups, through its town-wide garage sale and Share Your Light Night event.