As part of Verizon’s commitment to sustainability and volunteerism, the Verizon Foundation and the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition (NJSACC) held a day of volunteer projects and activities on April 21 at Rutgers Gardens, the botanical garden of Rutgers University, to introduce underserved urban youths to nature.
Over 8,000 fourth grade students from across New Jersey participated in the Thirteenth Annual Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey/Verizon New Jersey Design a Fourth Grade Folder Contest. The students from fourth grade classrooms across New Jersey were challenged to create peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention messages. The theme of the contest was “Fun Things to do Instead of Doing Drugs.”
Show me the way. That’s the plea of many a high school student trying to decide what path to take in life. It’s not always that simple, but it helps to have someone who’s been through the steps to share their experiences.
When school budgets are stressed, cuts to extracurricular activities are a too frequent occurrence. As a result, it’s become more difficult for New Jersey school children to get exposure to the arts, especially arts from different and diverse cultures.
Over the past decade, hundreds of native trees have replaced the ornamental shrubs and invasive vegetation at Verizon's corporate headquarters in Basking Ridge. Chemically treated and meticulously manicured lawns have given way to native grasses and vibrant wildflowers.
Now, Verizon is gearing up to do it again in Freehold.
Verizon Community Update, the online newsletter of Verizon New Jersey, is designed to advise and inform leaders throughout New Jersey about the programs and initiatives undertaken to support and strengthen communities throughout the state. Please feel free to contact us with your comments.
Mike Kaine, Editor
