Youth Organizations And Columbia Bank Spread 'Blankets Of Hope' Across NJ

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Youth across New Jersey collaborated with local organizations to donate blankets with handwritten messages to lift the spirits of those experiencing homelessness, a news release said.

Columbia Bank Foundation and nine Boys & Girls Club of New Jersey partnered with the nonprofit Blankets of Hope to spread kindness around the Garden State. Four military clubs also participated, the news release said. Together, these youth wrote messages for 1,536 people in the Garden State.

Columbia Bank is headquartered in Fair Lawn. The bank foundation bought blankets for various Boys and Girls Club chapters and military clubs around New Jersey, so they could participate in a "Kindness Workshop" led by Blankets of Hope.

The youth organization members did an empathy exercise and then created handwritten notes of hope and encouragement to pair with each blanket, according to the news release.

Allyson Schlesinger, executive vice president and Head of Consumer Banking for Columbia Bank, said the foundation is always looking for "meaningful ways" to give back.

"We were thrilled to continue our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey and Blankets of Hope, and assist with a program that’s truly rewarding on so many levels," said Schlesinger, who is also a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey.

Here's a list of the participating Boys & Girls Clubs, and who they are donating to:

Atlantic City: Covenant House, Atlantic City, NJ
Camden County: Joseph’s House, Camden, NJ
Clifton: NJ Family Promise of Morris County, Morristown, NJ
Cumberland County: Cumberland Family Shelter, Vineland, NJ
Garfield: Center for Hope and Safety, Rochelle Park, NJ
Hawthorne: St. Paul DCD, Paterson, NJ; Good Shepherd, Paterson, NJ; and Paterson Task Force,Paterson, NJ
Hudson County: York Street Project, Jersey City, NJ
Newark: Covenant House, Newark, NJ
Northwest: Eva’s Village, Paterson, NJ

And, the following military clubs also participated:
Earle NJ Navy Youth Center - HAB Core, Asbury Park, NJ
Fort Dix Youth Center - Fort Dix, NJ
Lakehurst Navy Youth Center - Lakehurst, NJ
McGuire Youth Center - Joint Base: McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst, NJ

Susan Haspel, the state director for Boys & Girls Clubs, said the organization is "incredibly grateful" to Columbia Bank Foundation for providing support, so chapters could participate in Blankets of Hope again.

"This meaningful project engaged Club youth at Boys & Girls Clubs across New Jersey in an impactful service-learning experience focused on empathy and kindness," Haspel said in the news release. "We want to thank the Columbia Bank team members for continuing this rewarding experience at Boys & Girls Clubs in local communities."

Blankets of Hope founder Michael Fiorito said, “Thanks to the continued support of the Columbia Bank Foundation, there will be endless ripples of hope, love, and kindness spreading through New Jersey for years to come!”