Clinton Township Newsletter

2 1 a p r i l 2 0 2 4 V o l U n t e e r g U A r D i A n s H i p o n e o n o n e Volunteer Guardianship One on One (VGOO) is a non-profit o r g a n i z a t i o n f o u n d e d i n 1 9 9 6 w i t h a m i s s i o n t o p r o v i d e compassionate one on one guardianship services to legally incapacitated adults through the education, oversight and support of dedicated volunteers. VGOO is the only nonprofit organization in New Jersey, and one of only a few in the country, that utilize volunteers to serve as guardians for incapacitated adults with no one else to serve in this role. Because of our volunteers, older people with dementia and other adults with mental illness and developmental disabilities have someone that is committed to just one person and making sure that they are living their lives in a manner that reflects their wishes and values and ensures they are safe, their assets are protected, and they are not forgotten. For more information, visit: www. VolunteerGuardianship.org. I n l o v e A n D S o n g i s b U i l D i n g A C o m m U n i t y f o r b r A i n t U m o r A n D b r A i n C A n C e r p A t i e n t s In Love And Song: A New Jersey Non-Profit was established in 2023 with a mission of building a community for brain tumor and brain cancer patients, survivors, and the caregivers. ILAS was formed in memory of Lou Zucker and Billy Misik, and in honor of Billy's mother, the incomparable Chris Misik. Mrs. Misik signs everything from holiday cards to text messages with "In love and song." When it came time to name their non-profit, founders Deborah Rizzo and Melissa Gogo knew they had to honor Mrs. Misik. "She let her son move from Chicago to New York when he had terminal brain cancer," Deb says. "She could have kept Billy home to spend more time with him and nobody would have blamed her. Instead, she chose the selfless route and let him have his dream of being a college student studying theater in New York. That takes an incredible amount of strength. I don't know anyone else who would have been so selfless." Melissa and Deb also honor Lou Zucker, the father of one of Melissa's college friends and one of Deb's childhood friends, with In Love And Song. Mr. Zucker was always a pillar of strength who, above all, put his family first. He has seven grandchildren, though he only got to meet one. In Love And Song has a vision of building a community stronger than any brain tumor. With longterm plans of sponsoring a service dog to improve the quality of life for a brain tumor patient, Melissa and Deb know they have their work cut out for them. They started with a donation drive to collect comfort items for a local brain tumor center. Other plans include a mini-golf tournament this summer and a virtual 5K later this year. More information about In Love And Song can be found on their website: www.InLoveAndSong.org, and on Facebook and Instagram at @inloveandsongorg. The Clinton Township Organic Community Garden has space available for the 2024 season in our Outreach Garden! Plots in our Outreach Garden are reserved for older adults, community groups, educational purposes, and those who face financial or physical challenges. These spaces are manageably-sized raised beds, approximately 30 square feet, and are free of charge with no volunteer requirements. As a gardener with a space in our Outreach Garden, you are a member of our community and receive all the same benefits plus personalized support from our garden member volunteers to help you succeed. Interested? Head on over to our website (https://clintontownshipocg. wixsite.com/theocg/membership) to fill out our Plot Interest Survey or send us an email with your questions at: kerenza@ theocg.org. We hope to hear from you! p r o J e C t e A r t H A t s t J o H n n e U m A n n C H U r C H The Catholic Community of St. John Neumann in Califon has operated Project Earth for over twenty years. Nestled on the spacious grounds of the Church which also encompasses this Community Garden, operated by parishioners on a voluntary basis. The garden is a busy, social place of peace, where dedicated volunteers put their time and energy into growing produce for donation to local and St John's own food pantries. (Local pantries in Clinton and Flemington). Produce is also used to provide homemade dishes to the homeless at SHIP in Somerville. The sense of tranquility this serene setting provides is inspirational to all who visit. The yield this year allowed those in need to be nourished by their donations of the produce on the chart at the right. ☞ St John Neumann welcomes all to join and celebrate our faith at the weekly Mass on Saturdays at 5:30 pm, Sundays at 8:00 am or 10:30 am, and Monday through Friday at 9:00 am. Feel free to visit us at 398 County 523, Califon, NJ 07830, call us at: 908.832.2513 or email: sjn@ccsjn.org! We look forward to hearing from you! "Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it." ~ Henry David Thoreau

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