Yes, today I’m once again 39again!
Best age ever! 😊 I’m starting my day with what feels like the ultimate birthday gift to myself—voting. It’s a privilege I never take for granted, but let’s see if the lines are any shorter than yesterday!
Early Voting @ City Hall, 10/26 11:40am
Afterward, I’m treating myself and a few friends to GF donuts from Alfalfa (SINGLE. BEST. DONUTS. EVER.—and I should know, as a self-proclaimed donut connoisseur!) before heading out to Easton, Pennsylvania to door-knock. Couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day—helping others exercise their right to vote too.
When you read studies about what helps people live long, fulfilling lives, a sense of connection and community is always at the top of the list. In Hoboken, whenever people are asked to describe Hoboken with one word, the number one answer is always the same—community.
When I resigned from what would probably be the last job of my financial career 11 years ago, I never thought I’d say I was retiring. In fact, as I look back, I realize that I wasn’t retiring at all—I was rewiring. (I heard that phrase recently, and it really resonated with me.) I kept saying I wanted to get more involved in my community. Back then, community felt like just an idea, but now it means so much more.
For me, community begins with my family and closest friends, those who shape my daily life. But it quickly extends outward to Hoboken, the city I’ve called home for three decades and have had the honor of serving for the past nine years (with at least three more to go!). It also includes past co-workers who I spent so much time with over the years building longlasting relationships. And I can’t forget Rochester, NY, where I grew up and where my family still lives. Sometimes, I adopt other communities in need—those that I feel connected to or those that matter to the people I love.
I’m also proud to be part of the broader New Jersey community, and after living here longer than anywhere else, I can truly call myself a Jersey Girl! Then, of course, there’s the American community—the one I am most proud to be a part oand doing my part to keep it strong through voting and civic engagement.
This quote by Audrey Hepburn has been especially inspiring to me as I reflect on the role community plays in my life. It’s a reminder that we are all connected, and that as much as we care for ourselves, we also have a responsibility to help and support others.
For my birthday this year, I want to encourage you to reflect on the communities that are important to you. Whether it's family, friends, your neighborhood, or a cause that speaks to your heart, find a way to support them today—whatever that looks like for you.
And then tonight, come have a birthday drink with me and share how you’re supporting the communities that matter most to you. With everything going on in the world, we all could use a small break to restore and celebrate! I’ll be meeting friends at Urban Coal House at 7:30 PM, and I’d love for you to stop by.
If you’re looking for some ideas —whether here in Hoboken or beyond—I’ve put together a short list below inspired by the ones I support.
As always, please share this with everyone you know who may be interested and reach out any time on any issue important to you: 201-208-1764 or [email protected].
Serving hundreds in our community, the Hoboken Food Pantry relies on financial and food donations and volunteers to help Hoboken residents who are experiencing food insecurities.
Fosters a commitment to youth and teens that will promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills and reassert sense of hope in the future.
My Mom was diagnosed with MS when I was 25 years old. She was one of the lucky ones whose disease progressed slowly and she lived for 28 more years, ultimately succumbing to other health issues. They have made huge strides in addressing this disease through generous donations.
Their mission is to save the environment by finding new homes for gently used and discarded items and what this means is that they link donations of any kind with the not for profit organizations or individuals that need them. But to be successful and to be able to operate, they also need financial donations to cover the cost of moving and storing items.
Their mission is committed to advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children.
The HPEF’s mission is to support Hoboken’s public district schools by elevating and enhancing the public education experience through private funding.
Hoboken’s only one-on-one mentoring program that connects children ages 7 - 17 with caring adult mentors. TRUE stands for True Relationships Unearth Excellence. They believe that through an encouraging relationship children can build confidence and make better life decisions.
The value of this organization in our community goes without saying. Addressing food insecurities of hundreds of homeless people daily, housing 50 people nightly, and providing training, education and social support to help improve the lives of so many.
Imagine if you had no access to healthcare because you just couldn’t afford it. Hoboken Family Planning provides reproductive health and cancer screening services for uninsured and low-income women and men with fees based on the ability to pay and no one is ever refused service because of their inability to pay.
Give | St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church (ccbchurch.com) – designate the lunch time ministry
Their mission since they opened in the 1970’s is to provide our Hoboken neighbors with a warm meal, a compassionate community, and a peaceful place to spend the morning.
HOPES is committed to addressing the barriers and causes of poverty by empowering individuals and families toward self-sufficiency. They have diverse programs for the entire range of our community from: Expectant Women, Infants and Toddlers, Preschool Children, Youth, Adults, and Seniors.
In Jesus Name was founded in 1981 when the Hoboken Clergy Coalition formed to respond to the various needs of the Hoboken’s most vulnerable neighbors and is tax exempt as a church organization hosted by Our Lady of Grace Church.
The Hoboken Historical Museum advances the understanding and exploration of Hoboken history, culture, and architecture and serves our community as a vibrant, dynamic, all-inclusive and exciting organization that is fully involved in the life of the City of Hoboken.
A real gem in our community, founded in 2003, MST’s mission is to enrich and engage the residents of our community and beyond through the production of professional theatre and innovative arts education.
This is my pet non-profit (no pun intended). They are a 100% volunteer based organization whose mission is to rescue abandoned and neglected rabbits and place them into loving forever homes in the NYC/Northern NJ area. I have worked closely with their teams multiple times in and around Hoboken and adopted my two rabbits Mama G and Sam from them last year.
When I get calls from Hoboken neighbors to help save an injured or orphaned bird, which happens about once per month, this is where I take them. Their mission is to provide medical care and rehabilitation to native and passing migrant wildlife so that they can be released back into the wild.
ASHEVILLE, NC
A neighbor passed this along to help support those devasted by Hurricane Helene in Asheville NC. Eden Brothers, headquarted in Asheville is a place I too get seeds and bulbs from to plant in my garden at the lake. They put together this list of local businesses that could use help and support. My cousin is still trying to put the pieces of his life back together since losing everything from the flooding.
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