Community Outreach Service Project:

Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ

We're Making a Difference, One Bead at a Time...

2010 Volunteer dates: Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 18, Apr. 15, May 17, and June 17

This Community outreach project of the South Jersey Bead Society involves giving direct contributions of time and talents by our members to work with the clients there and their relatives. Among its many services, this house provides a place to stay for the familes of seriously ill and tramatized children who are undergoing local treatement. Be sure to take a minute and read a little about the Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ.

Every 3^rd Thursday of the month, from 7:00p to 8:30p, our members volunteer by travelling to this wonderful children's house located in the business and college districts of secure, downtown Camden. We have the opportunity to give hope, laughter, and inspiration to many sick persons by teaching and making beading projects with them and their relatives.

See the list below for some of the projects we helped them create on other visits...

This chaper of the Ronald McDonald house is located adjacent to Cooper Hospital and has a secure, well-lit, fenced in parking lot. It is in one of the safest areas of the city, being located in the heart of the downtown area near the Rutgers University, Camden Coummunity College, and Rowan University Camden campuses. Just a few miles from the Ben Franklin bridge, this area is also regularly policed so volunteers will have no problems coming into and leaving the city in conjunction with their volunteer activities.

If you would like to volunteer in this service, please contact Kathy Foster for more information at: memberatlarge02@southjerseybeadsociety.org. We are espeically in need of volunteers for the following dates: 01/21, 02/18, 03/18, 04/15, 05/17, and 06/17.

• November 2008 - An assortment of beads were used by the children and their families to make beaded bracelets.
  
  
• December 2008 - Making beaded ornaments with the children and their families was great holiday fun.
  
  
• January 2009 - The children and their families loved making knotted necklaces and memory wire bracelets.
  
  
• February 2009 - A potpourri of projects made included various kinds of earrings, necklaces and bracelets!
  
  
• March 2009 - Residents were anticipating our "beading" there! We didn't disapppoint with everyones favorites. (One of the newer SJBS members volunteered so extra hands were available to aid the residents!)
  
  
• April 2009 - Good News - A healthy community left no residents at the house for us to visit!
  
  
• May 2009 - The eager attitudes of the residents made the visit lots of fun for everyone.
  
  
• June 2009 - Most of the residents made items using alphabet beads or unique ceramic tiles. Fun!