More "Good" Ways to Help UCP... Without Really Trying!

GoodSearch!  GoodShop!  You have likely heard of these before – and hopefully even used them to benefit our UCP programs.  When you designate ‘United Cerebral Palsy of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey’ as your charity, GoodSearch donates one cent to UCP for each Internet search you do through their search engine.  GoodShop will donate a percentage of your online purchases with various companies to UCP (and many of the companies offer you discounts when ordering through GoodShop).

NOW, GoodDining will donate a percentage of your restaurant/food vendor  purchases to UCP as well!  You sign up online (it’s quick and easy), it’s completely free (to you and UCP), and you can search for the restaurants in your area – or where you will be going – and the days/times your purchases will yield donations for your selected charity (UCP of NCSNJ, of course!).  Some even include take-out and delivery orders.

We realize that the current economy has affected many people, and these are all ways you can give to our UCP programs – without having to reach into your pockets, and help to ensure that we will always be here for the people that   benefit from our services.  Of course additional means of giving to UCP are still needed, but GoodSearch/Shop/Dining provides a way for anyone who uses the Internet to give on a regular basis. Once you enter us as your charity, your searches, shopping, and dining purchases will begin to benefit UCP of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey.  

Click on each of the images below to visit the three websites.

Corporate Volunteers Paint a Bright Future

A big thank you goes out to the volunteers from Skyline Steel for their help in getting a fresh coat of paint in our Chester office. 

Back (L-R): Chris Zeris, Nadine Anson, Jameson Allen, Kurt Levins, Karin Krsteski, Morgan Yam
Front (L-R): Margarita Iosiphakis, Joseph Pergola
Not pictured:  Gloria Navarro

PeopleCare and UCP Receive Gift of Playhouse

The PeopleCare Center for Non-Profits and United Cerebral Palsy gratefully accepted a gift of a handicapped-accessible playhouse from Parksite of North Brunswick, New Jersey. The gift commemorated the 40th anniversary of Parksite, a 100% employee-owned sales, marketing, and distribution company serving many segments of the building industry with a focus on both interior and exterior products.

The playhouse was constructed entirely of products distributed by Parksite.  According to Mitch Lauver, Building Products Specialist for Parksite, the PeopleCare donation is one of 7 playhouses constructed by Parksite and donated to non-profit agencies east of the Mississippi River.

Arrangements for the donation of the playhouse were made through Ann Geller, Director of Development for United Cerebral Palsy of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey, Inc. Amongst our services, UCP runs programs for children at the PeopleCare Center in Bridgewater, NJ.

“We are extremely grateful to both Parksite and United Cerebral Palsy for this wonderful addition to our playground,” commented Marie Hughes, PeopleCare Executive Director. “Many of the agencies that call PeopleCare home serve the needs of young children and the playhouse will be used and enjoyed by all.”

Mitch Lauver, Building Products Specialist for Parksite , looks on as Ann Geller, Director of Development for United Cerebral Palsy of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey, Inc. invites Marie Hughes, Executive Director of PeopleCare Center to enter the new playhouse constructed and donated by Parksite.

2011 Annual Family Options Holiday Party

Two special holiday events were held in December for individuals and families served by United Cerebral Palsy of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey.   

The Annual Family Options Holiday Party on December 11th was a blast!  DJ Jeanmarie had people up and dancing, including a conga-line around the room, karaoke and a trivia game.  Guests were treated to a smorgasbord of foods lining the buffet tables, many donated by area businesses and representing favorites for Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day.  Family photos, gifts, and a visit from Santa rounded out the affair.  Based on the participation, smiles and feedback, we think everyone had a wonderful time.

On December 17th, for the 7th year, Villagers Theatre and the My Name Is Matthew Project hosted a beautiful afternoon of family          entertainment, putting on a special performance of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” just for UCP!  Tina Lee, Founder of My Name Is Matthew Project, greeted the audience before the play began and treated the  audience to a short video highlighting past years of the Project’s events, and introduced her son Matthew – the nemesis and motivation for the Project.  The performers were wonderful; the play was sprinkled with humor; and the hosts provided guests with ‘royal treatment’ providing cushioned floor seating up front, refreshments handed out at our seats during intermission, an adorable fluffy reindeer friend to take home, and a special visit from Santa after the performance.  UCP presented a plaque to Villagers Theatre and the My Name Is Matthew Project; flowers to Tina; and certificates to the numerous volunteers, as a token of our gratitude for making this day possible.

We enter 2012 hopeful and  inspired by the efforts and generosity  exemplified by the dozens of  people who each did their part and    collectively created such a memorable experience for our families!

Thank You!  Thank You!

UCP graciously acknowledges the following for their donation of goods and/or services in support of our 2011 UCP Family Options Holiday Party:

• Bel-Pike Lanes, Belvidere, NJ
• Benito's Trattoria, Chester, NJ
• Clearview Cinemas, Florham Park Headquarters
• Chester Diner, Chester, NJ
• Community Presbyterian Church, Chester, NJ
• Hoffman's Supply, Long Valley, NJ
• Irving's Diner, Livingston, NJ
• Kevin Collins
• KFC, Florham Park, NJ
• Maria's Bakery, Chester, NJ
• Ort Farms, Chester, NJ
• Roberts Chatham Theatre, Chatham, NJ
• Shop Rite-Ronetco Supermarkets, Inc., Ledgewood, NJ
• Sparta Lanes, Sparta, NJ
• TD Bank, Hamilton, NJ
• Weichert Realtors, Chester, NJ

We couldn't have done it without you!