Just 1 Mentoring, a mentoring program that serves children of prisoners, is seeking volunteers.  We are looking for adults to serve as positive role- models and friends by spending an hour per week for one year with a child from their community. Without effective intervention, children of prisoners are 7 times more likely than their peers to become incarcerated themselves.  You can help! Extensive support and training will be provided.  For more information please call Elyse Giaimo at 973 784 4900 x 109 or email her at giaimoe@norwescap.org.

Lambertville Lights Up With Cinema This Summer During Artist Visions Film Fest!

ACME Screening Room, Friends of Lambertville Library’s weekly cinema space, will take its independent film program outdoors this summer, to present ARTIST VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL, a free film and live music series at locations throughout town.

The festival will feature a video installation of short films projected on the side of the Wells Fargo Bank in the center of town, feature films projected in Cavallo Park and live music concerts in the Lambertville Station parking lot, before the fireworks over the Delaware River. The Wells Fargo Bank video installation will take place on the first Friday and second Saturday at sundown; concerts on the first Friday at 8:30 pm; and feature films on the second Saturday at sundown, June-August 2011. A roster of Bucks and Hunterdon County student films will also be presented in partnership with Princeton Student Film and Video Festival, at ACME Screening Room, indoors, July 22 and 23, 2011.

‘By placing these events outdoors throughout the summer we hope to increase community and visitors’ exposure to our rich Hunterdon-Bucks County arts scene and bring the Friends’ programs out into to the community,’ says Sara Scully, Program Producer.

ARTIST VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL, now in its second season, was named for its focus on celebrating the creative visions revealed in the work of area filmmakers and musicians as well as feature films by art-filmmakers from afar. The Friends selected all films and bands for their artistic excellence, diversity and critical acclaim. Feature films were also selected for their relevance to the children’s summer reading theme, World Culture/Travel, chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program.

FEATURE FILMS: A highlight of this year’s festival and a major contribution to the Festival’s artistic value is the slate of Second Saturday feature films, all selections from the critically acclaimed, New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF). The NYICFF, according to its website, ‘was founded in 1997 to promote intelligent, passionate, provocative cinematic works for ages 3-18 and to help define a more compelling film for kids.’ The all-ages films selected: AZUR & ASMAR, THE SECRET LIFE OF KELLS, and MIA AND THE MIGOO, are all animated works celebrated for their artistry, imagination and diversity of characters and storylines.

LIVE MUSIC: The Festival’s live music program boasts a roster of bands with diverse musical styles, but each possessing a sound big enough to compel the throngs of patrons waiting for Friday night fireworks on the river. The series will begin on the first Friday in June with the six-piece Latin-European inspired indy-rock ensemble, Jac, a Bucks County-based band so compelling and unique in its stylish sound, that it caught the attention of the New York Times Style section in Fall 2010. Jac will be followed in July by the local folk-rock band that drew hundreds when they performed at last summer’s Festival, Chris Harford and the Band of Changes. Then, Orquesta Rumba Con Son, a Somerset-based Latin-Salsa big band, will perform in August.

VIDEO INSTALLATION: The Wells Fargo Bank video installation will feature short films about or inspired by Hunterdon-Bucks County, along with live music performances taped at Arts Council of Princeton’s Cafe Improv, by producer, Tom Florek. Friends of Lambertville Library were awarded a $200 grant to fund a cash prize for the top three short-filmmakers out of all short-filmmakers featured in the Artist Visions Film Festival 2011 video installation. First Prize will be $100; Second and Third Prizes will be $50 each. And a bonus for all three winners will be that each winning short will be screened at the ACME Screening Room as a preview before all films in September 2011. Prize funding was made possible in part by the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission. To raise the total budget needed to provide the Festival free to the community, the Friends will be soliciting community partners to purchase advertising sponsorships at the Festival. For more information or to purchase an ad, please email lambertvillefol@gmail.com. In partnership with City Market, the Friends will also be selling, as an event fundraiser, pre-ordered picnic dinners that can be picked up and enjoyed at the outdoor events, all summer. Picnics can be ordered online at www.AcmeScreeningRoom.TicketLeap.com or in person at City Market, 74 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ, May 15-August 20, 2011.

AZUR & ASMAR is the story of two boys raised as brothers: Azur, a blonde, blue-eyed son of a noblewoman and Asmar, the dark skinned and dark-eyed child of the nurse. As kids, they fought and loved each other as brothers do. As grown ups, they mercilessly become rivals in the quest years later, when Azur is being haunted by memories of the legendary Djinn-fairy, and takes it upon himself to journey all the way to Asmar’s homeland to seek it out. Asmar also longs to find the Djinn-fairy, and only one of the two youths can be successful in their competitive quest. Animation, Michel Ocelot, France, 2006/2008, 99 minutes Dubbed in English.

THE SECRET LIFE OF KELLS is the highly anticipated new animated masterpiece from the producers of Kirikou and the Sorceress and Triplets of Belleville! Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan’s determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? Animation, Tomm Moore, Ireland/France/Belgium, 2009.

MIA AND THE MIGOO is work of art, breathtaking to behold, created from an astonishing 500,000 hand-painted frames of animation. The film is the gorgeous second feature from French animator Jacques-Remy Girerd. One night Mia has a premonition. So after saying a few words of parting at her mother’s grave, she sets out on a journey across mountains and jungles to search for her father, who has been trapped in a landslide at a disaster-plagued construction site on a remote tropical lake. In the middle of the lake stands the ancient Tree of Life, watched over by innocent, bumbling forest spirits called the Migoo, who grow and change shape as they please, morphing from small childlike beings to petulant giants. It is the Migoo who have been disrupting the construction to protect this sacred site ‘ and now together with Mia – they join in a fight to find Mia’s father and save the Tree. Animation, Jacques-Remy Girerd, France/Italy, 92 minutes, Rated PG

Student filmmakers can submit to the Student Film Fest for free using the application available for download at http://www.princeton.lib.nj.us/teens/media/index.html. More information about last year’s festival can be found on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ARTIST-VISIONS-FILM-FESTIVAL/388099226689 and on our website http://www.acmescreeningroom.org.

The Artist Visions Film Festival is a project of Friends of Lambertville Library, a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Friends of Lambertville Library extend special thanks to The City of Lambertville, The Lambertville Recreation Commission, Wells Fargo Bank and The Inn at Lambertville Station for generously providing the space to present this festival. Funding for the Festival has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

The Hunterdon Huskies are proud to announce it’s new Contender Cheer Program!  The Contender program provides children with special needs the opportunity to cheer, participate, and be a member of the team!  Our Huskies Coaches and Junior Coaches will work with Huskies Cheer Contenders to introduce the sport of cheerleading at levels that are appropriate for each participant.  The focus is on fun as well as skill progression to promote a strong sense of accomplishment and enjoyment!  Registration is open now!  For more information email Debbie House at debbie@triumphplant.com

Hunterdon Hospice has been providing care to families in this community
for over thirty years.  Hospice is a special kind of care designed to
support and comfort people living with a terminal illness.  When a
family receives hospice services a whole team of people are assigned to
see that they receive the most complete and comprehensive care possible;
and an incredibly important member of that team is the Hospice
Volunteer.  Hospice volunteers receive training, which teaches them
about what hospice care is and it prepares them to provide care to
patients and their families.  But hospice volunteers are not all direct
patient care volunteers.  Many of our volunteers work in our office,
some help with our fundraisers, and some volunteers help us deliver
supplies when patients need that.  All volunteers are equally important.
 We are always looking for cosmetologists who would be comfortable
giving a patient a haircut, manicure or even a pedicure.  Hunterdon
Hospice is now accepting applications for its volunteer training program
through February.

Volunteers provide valuable emotional support to both patients and
families and keep families connected to the community.  They fill many
of the gaps and help wherever needed, such as providing respite to
caregivers and family members, running errands, being a companion to the
patient, and helping with household tasks.   “Our volunteers are such
amazing people and are always willing to help out however needed.  When
families are in need it is the little things in life that are important.
 Volunteers form relationships with their patients and the patients’
loved ones. They provide whatever support is needed to enable the family
to continue to function,” explains Joy Stump, Volunteer Coordinator
for Hunterdon Hospice.  Stump added, “I continuously hear from our
volunteers about how helping out with Hunterdon Hospice helps them keep
life in perspective. They always tell me how surprised they are by how
much joy and happiness doing this work brings them.  They experience
moments of laughter and friendship.  Patients teach them about life and
how to live your life with courage, dignity and always hope.  Our
volunteers go home at the end of the day knowing they have helped make a
difference in someone’s life.”

The training program covers all aspects of volunteering so the
volunteer is prepared to be with patients and their families.

To arrange for an interview contact Joy Stump, Volunteer Coordinator at
908-788-2573 or e-mail her at stump.joy@hunterdonhealthcare.org.  To
learn more about Hunterdon Hospice, log onto our website at
www.hunterdonhealthcare.org.

Registration for Hunterdon County YMCA before and after school programs is now open.

As children and teens return to school, the Hunterdon County YMCA encourages parents looking for safe, educational and fun activities outside the classroom to take advantage of its after school program. Combining play with academics, the Hunterdon County YMCA after school program fills gaps in schools by offering enrichment through arts, physical education, sports and nutrition.
 
The Hunterdon County YMCA operates before and after school programs at 18 county schools. For a list of schools, visit www.hcymca.org.  A kindergarten-wrap program is also offered at all Flemington-Raritan schools and Tewksbury Elementary. All programs are licensed by the state of New Jersey and the adult to child ratio averages 1:10. Programs run on most school holidays.  

According to the Afterschool Alliance, 15.1 million children in the United States are left unsupervised after 3 p.m. In New Jersey alone, 28% of children are left alone – responsible for taking care of themselves. 

“At the Hunterdon County YMCA we are committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen,” said Bruce Black, President/CEO, Hunterdon County YMCA. “Our after school program is not just about an extended day of work and activities – it’s about giving youth an extra support system that encourages them to achieve success.”

Afterschool programming at the Y is a healthy way for children and teens to stay active and productive when the school day ends. Youth in the Hunterdon County YMCA’s after school program receive homework assistance. In addition, children in the Y’s after school programs participate in games, crafts, community service projects, and Healthy U. The Healthy U program is the result of a collaborative partnership between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, which is comprised of all 42 YMCA member Associations throughout New Jersey. Healthy U offers children the opportunity to learn about healthy choices and engage in fun physical activity.

“Attending after school programs can have many lasting positive effects on youth, including helping children and teens develop interpersonal and social skills, perform well academically, and develop habits that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement,” said Black.

As one of the leading providers of afterschool programs, the nation’s Ys have been engaging children in afterschool programs for more than 50 years. Today, Ys impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth in afterschool programs at nearly 10,000 sites across the country. Afterschool programming at the Y focuses on the holistic development of youth, promoting creativity, a love for learning, academic success and friendship and character building. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.

For more information about the Hunterdon County YMCA’s before and after school programs, please contact Wendy Crocetti, School Age Child Care Director or at 908-236-0055 ext. 22 or visit www.hcymca.org.

Hunterdon County is part of national First Book a non-profit organization which provides new books to children from low income families.   First Book’s mission is “to give children from low income families the opportunity to read and own their own books.” 

From September 2009 through August 2010 NORWESCAP First Book of Hunterdon County provided over 5,000 books to eligible children throughout the county.  The books were distributed through pre-schools, elementary schools, and social service organizations.  According to advisory board member Kathy Guzman, “Each child received several books during the school year, supporting their education outside of school.  Some children received books in June to read and enjoy over the summer.”   Ms. Guzman added, “First Book is a wonderful program that provides high quality, age appropriate books to children at a critical time in their development of literacy skills.”

During the summer months, Borders of Flemington hosted a book drive for NORWESCAP First Book.  Borders customers purchased over 1000 books to be distributed to eligible children this Fall.  According to Borders Karen Gilbert, “Our summer 2010 Children’s Book Drive was incredibly successful.  Thanks to the generosity of our customers, Borders of Flemington collected over 1,000 children’s books for NORWESCAP – First Book.  Each area store chooses a charity to donate the books to and we have a great partnership with NORWESCAP.  The Hunterdon County First Book Advisory Board is so appreciative of the donations and, like us, are truly touched and amazed by the response we get to our Book Drives.  I feel so fortunate to work here and to live in a community that has such wonderful people! “ 

In addition to the book drive at Borders, NORWESCAP First Book – Hunterdon County relies on donations and fund raising activities to fund the purchase of books.  The Hunterdon County Advisory Board is made of up volunteers who work in cooperation with NORWESCAP Child and Family Services. 

NORWESCAP is a non-profit community action agency established in 1965 that creates opportunities for over 30,000 low-income people in the northwest NJ by providing a large portfolio of self sufficiency and emergency services.  The mission of NORWESCAP is “Fighting Poverty.  Creating Opportunities.   Changing Lives.”  For information about NORWESCAP contact 908-454-7000.

According to Barbara Mastrianni, Child Care Specialist at NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services, “the support of NORWESCAP enables First Book to use 100% of the money raised to provide books to low income children in Hunterdon County.”   The board is seeking volunteers to help with fund raising, publicity for events, and book distribution.   For more information please contact:  Barbara Mastrianni at 908-782-8183 or mastriannib@norwescap.org.  For more information on First Book or to locate a First Book program in your area the national website is www.firstbook.org.

There is a real need for help for patients and their families fighting cancer.  Canswerlink provides help that is needed by offering non toxic, eco friendly cleaning services free of charge for men, women and families of children with cancer.  Using a pay-it-forward approach, once the patients are well, they can opt to help Canswerlink continue its mission by volunteering to help other cancer patients’ families on a voluntary basis, completing the circle of giving.   

Canswerlink was founded in May 2009 by two caring women, Vici Prodromitis and Donna Sandvig, who saw a need for this kind of service and wanted to give back in a significant way.  Vici, having had personal experience with her mother and sister who had cancer, knows what it is like to have a family member need help to keep their life comfortable while relying on the good will of others to help where needed.  Donna, having felt hopeless and helpless as her father battled cancer, decided she wanted to help other cancer patients get what they need.  Both Vici and Donna feel very blessed in their lives and that empowers them to want to help others.

For now Canswerlink services 7 counties in New Jersey.   With time, hard work and the support of others that soon will change and Canswerlink will be across the United States.  As an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Canswerlink runs on tax deductible monetary donations, green cleaning supply donations and the help of volunteers for fundraising, promoting and running Canswerlink.  

The feedback from the patients that have been visited by Canswerlink has been heart wrenching and inspiring with tears of gratitude.  The families and patients are so happy and relieved to have this service offered to them especially when they learn that it is not a one-time deal but will continue monthly throughout the patient’s treatment process.  With everything that a cancer patient and their family has to face on a day to day basis, keeping the home clean should be the least of their worries but is an important factor in warding off secondary health issues. 

Vici feels that in order to help a patient heal during treatments, the patient should have a clean environment which Canswerlink provides.  “Having a clean home lifts your spirits which helps the healing process.  Every time I schedule a cleaning, I feel great knowing that I am helping someone who really needs a break.  When I leave a patients home I walk away feeling proud of what I am doing and where my life has lead me.”  Vici said when asked how she feels about Canswerlink’s mission.

“We don’t only clean a person’s home but we get to know them and become connected to their lives. Besides the cleaning service, we offer smiles, conversations and sometimes a shoulder to cry on. I feel very fortunate to be able to volunteer. To give time to someone who truly needs it, is a simple thing to do creating a sense of satisfaction that is endless.”  Donna said when asked how she feels after completing a cleaning for one of her clients.
      
Canswerlink is rooted in the belief that many cancers are triggered by toxins in our environment.  That is why Canswerlink is committed to using only non toxic cleaning products to clean patient’s homes.   By using these non toxic products Canswerlink is also helping to ward off environmental cancer triggers to those family members who do not have cancer but, are at a higher risk of developing it later.  Then there is also the environment to consider.  Canswerlink’s work is also used as an educational tool to future the use of non toxic cleaning products within the home.  
 
‘Canswerlink has been a blessing for some of my patients.  When they are sick and tired from chemotherapy or radiation, the last thing that they have energy for is housecleaning.  Unfortunately, most people feel more relaxed and comfortable in a clean home, which poses a challenge for cancer patients receiving treatment.  It is important for patients to conserve their energy for more important things like healing and spending time with loved ones.  By providing free housecleaning, Canswerlink allows patients peace of mind during what can be a very stressful time.  They are truly angels!!!’  — Robyn Edwards,  Psychosocial Counselor at Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center 
 
For information on how to volunteer or make donations, and how to request service through one of Canswerlink’s affiliates, please visit:  www.canswerlink.org. All donations are Tax Deductible.

For families of children with special needs daily living demands
constant planning, juggling of activities and working to keep a routine
in the child’s life.  The result is many parents get little alone time
– for themselves or as a couple.  Parents, who know their child’s
challenges so intimately, struggle with the idea of leaving them with
strangers.  This was the case for Laura Krupa of Franklin Township.  Ms.
Krupa’s daughter Kelly is 13 and has developmental delays and special
needs.

When Laura’s friends planned a girl’s trip to the Caribbean in the
fall she wanted to go, but needed to find someone she trusted to care
for Kelly for a few hours when she gets off the school bus and until her
husband comes home.  Ms. Krupa explained, “I have always depended on
my sons or a neighbor to help get Kelly settled after school if I cannot
be there. Now they are all grown and are either at college or work.  My
husband and I are very particular in who we trust to watch our daughter
because she has little awareness of danger or could potentially walk off
our property without proper supervision.”

Ms. Krupa called Visiting Health and Supportive Services Neighbor Care
Program for assistance.  The Neighbor Care Program can place
specially-trained companions in the home to provide supervision, company
and help prepare light meals.   The program is able to provide care for
children with special needs, older adults and even new parents who need
an extra hand.  Companions help clients take part in a variety of
activities, including: taking a walk, monitoring medication usage,
reading aloud, creating crafts, playing games, doing laundry, helping
with meal planning and preparation, sharing reminiscences as well as
conversation and basic grooming.

“Kelly is use to a regular routine and it is hard for her if it is
broken.  She comes home from school and has a snack, likes to draw,
plays games and enjoys feeding our sheep. I feel secure having a
Companion come in because I know it is a service I can rely on and she
will be in good hands,” stated Ms. Krupa.

For more information on the Neighbor Care program call Cheryl Tigar at
908-788-2568.

Please help The Youth Center with their clothing shed.

They have a clothing shed on their property for the collection of used clothing and stuffed animals.  This helps you, them and others.  The clothes DO NOT GET SHREDDED INTO RAGS.

The shed is located in the rear of the side parking lot at The Youth Center located at  16 Hampton Road in Glen Gardner.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Long time volunteers, Pat Fowler and Ann Alpaugh of Flemington both celebrated 50 years of volunteering at Hunterdon Medical Center. Left to right: Ann Alpaugh, Robert Wise, President and CEO of Hunterdon Healthcare and Pat Fowler during a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held in April.

Looking to help others and feel better about yourself?  How about becoming a volunteer at Hunterdon Medical Center.  Volunteering your time to help others will not only make a difference in someone’s life but, it can help you learn and develop new skills, give you an opportunity to meet new people, gain work experience and can even build self esteem and self-confidence.  Volunteering is great for your health.

 “Our volunteers touch people’s lives and make a difference seven days a week.  They carry in their heart a level of compassion that is truly astounding,” explained Lynne Danik, Director of Volunteer Services.

In addition to the personal satisfaction you receive when you volunteer, Hunterdon Medical Center volunteers also receive comprehensive training, free access to a hospital based fitness center and free continuing education computer classes offered monthly through Hunterdon Medical Center’s Information Services Department.

Currently approximately 400 volunteers support the Hunterdon Medical Center.  In 2009, volunteers donated 63,257 hours to the hospital, which saved the hospital over 1.5 million dollars.  Don’t you want to be part of a team that makes a difference?  If so, call the Volunteer Department at Hunterdon Medical Center at (908) 788-6140.

Pictured: Long time volunteers, Pat Fowler and Ann Alpaugh of Flemington both celebrated 50 years of volunteering at Hunterdon Medical Center.  Left to right:  Ann Alpaugh, Robert Wise, President and CEO of Hunterdon Healthcare and Pat Fowler during a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held in April.