Riverside Rhymes Nature Play School Owner Hosts Community Volunteer Fair at Ocean County Library

Riverside Rhymes Nature Play School director, Jessica Clayton will host a community

volunteer fair on May 20, in Mancini Hall at the Ocean County Library, Toms River

Branch. The event will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 P.M. The fair is designed to introduce

people to various organizations that rely on volunteers to operate. Attending

organizations will run the gamut of social justice, environmental protection, community

service, animal protection, and helping families and children.

Organizer Jessica Clayton said about the fair, “I wanted to bring all these amazing

groups together so people could see the important work they do and be inspired to get

involved and help out. Volunteering has made my life better, filling it with work I feel

passionate about. It has brought me joy, new friendships, and a sense of purpose”

Participating organizations will include Help Not Handcuffs, Popcorn Park Zoo, 15NOW,

Family Success Center, Covenant House, Our Revolution, County Council for Young

Children, and Habitat for Humanity.

A recent study has shown that there has been a dramatic uptick in young people

volunteering, a 52% increase in only a few years! Read the article here. The increase in

donations to various organizations is “unprecedented.” Planned Parenthood and the

ACLU have seen a huge influx of money and support.

Jessica said this is exactly what inspired her, “After the election and the Women's

March, we were getting a lot of new people at Green Party meetings, people who

wanted to get involved, who wanted to do something but didn't know what. I wanted to

create an event that would connect people with organizations that they feel passionate

about. People will always dedicate themselves fully to volunteer work that inspires

them.”

Attendees will be able to educate themselves about these groups, network directly with

members, and decide if they want to join the cause. This is also a great opportunity for

organizations to network with each other and strengthen their connection within the

community.

The fair is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. During the fair,

a representative from each group will have an opportunity to address the crowd. If your

organization is interested in attending, please contact Jessica Clayton at 201-658- 9008

or Jessica-clayton@gmail.com.

For more information on the fair, contact Jessica Clayton, (201) 658-9008, jessica-

clayton@hotmail.com or Alfred Clayton at alfredrclayton@gmail.com

Articles referenced:

1.https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2016/04/11/sharp-increase- in-young- peoples-volunteering/

2. http://time.com/4570796/aclu-planned- parenthood-donation- increase-donald- trump/