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Volunteering in Union County Parks is Easier than Ever

Each year, hundreds of community volunteers fan out through Union County parks to clean up litter, clear debris, repair trails and improve natural habitats. Now volunteering is easier than ever before, thanks to free tools and other assistance provided by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Recycling.

“We are very grateful for the many individuals, environmental groups, Scouts, schools, businesses and other organizations that dedicate their time and energy to help keep our parks beautiful and welcoming, year in and year out,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “By coordinating the resources of our Parks and Recycling offices, we aim to make organizing a volunteer project easy and hassle-free for everyone.”

The Union County parks system hosts four main types of volunteer programs:

Adopt-a-Park: Beautification and restoration projects including clearing litter and debris, restoring native plants and removing invasive plants.

Adopt-a-Trail/Trail Stewards: Help remove encroaching vegetation from trails and paved pathways; help repair eroded sections and clear debris from culverts.

Chainsaw Crew: Help remove fallen trees from trails and paths (training required to participate).

Clean Communities: This program focuses on litter cleanups with support from the statewide Clean Communities program. Organizers only need to bring themselves and their volunteers. Work gloves, litter grabbers and bags are all provided free of charge.

Individuals or groups that are interested in organizing a volunteer project in any of these four areas can contact the Department of Parks and Recreation by email at park.env.services@ucnj.org to start the process.

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/07/14/volunteering-in-union-county-parks-is-easier-than-ever/

Senior Services – Just “ASK” information kiosk

Residents seeking information about services for seniors and their care givers can come to Union County’s Aging Services Kiosk events and meet in person with professional staff for guidance on senior programs and resources, including help with filling out applications and forms.

ASK is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their care givers. Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed.

Visit ucnj.org/aging for upoming dates.

Full Time Emergency Medical Technicians

Job benefits include free training opportunities and HazMat cross-training through the Union County Fire/EMS Academy.

Union County has full time job openings for certified Emergency Medical Technicians. The full-time benefits package includes free career development through the Union County Fire/EMS academy.

All applicants must be residents of Union County.

“We are very proud of our EMTs, who work to meet the daily needs and extraordinary demands for life saving services in our community. We are looking forward to meeting the newest members of our emergency services team,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/04/26/union-county-is-hiring-full-time-emergency-medical-technicians-apply-today/

Union County Host Donation Drive for the people of Ukraine

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has uprooted families, injured citizens, and left thousands of Ukrainian refugees without access to basic necessities. To date, nearly 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled their homes, many leaving behind necessary supplies.

To support individuals in need, the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office have partnered to organize a county-wide donation drive for the people of Ukraine.

Beginning today, a donation box will be available in the lobby of Union County law enforcement agencies, twenty-four locations in all. Members of the public are invited to bring donations of first aid supplies, toiletries, flashlights, blankets, batteries, clothing, shoes, diapers, formula, and more. The program will run for the foreseeable future, as long as continued aid is needed. This donation drive is made possible through a partnership with law enforcement and local Polish and Ukrainian organizations.

For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/03/15/union-county-to-host-donation-drive-for-people-of-ukraine/

Cultural Events Around the County