■ Philanthropy
■ Philanthropy
Continued From Page 14 to community service . Through SLR ’ s Global Diversity , Equity and Inclusion strategy , and our One Team approach , our staff are encouraged to “ get involved ” at SLR and in our communities . SLR ’ s Women ’ s Mentoring Circle Program is an opportunity for our female professionals , at all levels , to meet , support and encourage each other through connection , education , shared experiences , best practices , and mentoring . Dozens of SLR offices volunteer for our Martin Luther King Jr . Day of Service . Our New Jersey office donates expertise to non-profit land preservation organizations , and SLR volunteers with a number of causes and philanthropies including the American Heart Association and American Lung Association to help reinforce awareness of heart disease and lung health , respectively . These are just a few examples of how SLR helps make a difference in our communities .
T & M Associates
At T & M Associates , for over 55 years we ’ ve worked to improve the infrastructure , environment , and communities throughout the nation through volunteerism and support for the people , organizations , and charities in those communities . In 2021 we established the T & M Associates Foundation to support this work .
The Foundation gives to civic , cultural , community , and healthcare organizations that align with the Foundation ’ s mission . In the past two years through acts of kindness , charitable outreach , educational and social support we have donated $ 200,000 and have partnered with Habcore , Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps , Boy Scouts Trail Clearing , Dune Restoration & Planting , Water for People , Caring for Friends and adopted the Barnett Community Center . Our employees participate in local food / toy drives and assembled hygiene bags for those in need in honor of Martin Luther King Day . Our STEM education support includes scholarships , sponsorships , classroom presentations , and site visits serving students of all ages providing more accessibility for the underserved .
Terrie O ’ Connor Realtors
Ever mindful of the plight of so many suffering and at risk in our communities , a situation further compounded by the devastating impact of a global pandemic , Terrie O ’ Connor Realtors has made a commitment to support the communities where they live and work . Whether collecting Thanksgiving dinners , picking up a hammer with Habitat for Humanity , running an on-site blood drive or organizing collections of food , toys , coats and pajamas for children in need , this family company believes in the rewards of giving back . Their nine offices are filled with community warriors , generous spirits actively seeking communities , organizations and individuals to serve .
While community service projects are carried out throughout the year , Terrie O ’ Connor Realtors dedicates the entire month of November to expressing gratitude for the people and communities they serve . Company-wide food drives benefit the Center for Food Action , the Hasbrouck Heights Food Pantry and the Kinnelon Food Pantry . Staff and sales associates provided much needed assistance unloading trucks and stocking shelves this November at St . Peter ’ s Haven Food Pantry in Clifton .
Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors
For more than 50 years , Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors has had a vested interest in the community . We believe it is our responsibility to enhance the community where we live and work . Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors is compassionate about the issues facing our community , as one author wrote , we are “ accounting with a heart .” Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors has been instrumental in meeting the educational , medical , nutritional , and financial needs in our community , state , nation , and around the world . Our firm uses its talents and resources to raise awareness and develop programs in support of others . For the past 12 years , Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors has participated in the Bergen Volunteer Center ALL WRAPPED UP Holiday Giving Program by “ adopting ” a family during the holiday time to ensure they are remembered . Our associates respond with contributions of gifts , gift certificates , toys , clothing , and household items .
Valley Bank
Valley has partnered with the Walter Hoving Home in Oxford , New Jersey , for over five years with their Career Readiness program , providing financial education to women recovering from life-controlling issues , such as human-trafficking , abuse , drug addiction , alcoholism , and judicial proceedings . Residents benefit from a program tailored to enable them to regain their lives , establish a healthy work ethic , gain financial stability , and return to their families having become productive members of their communities . Providing financial education to these women is crucial to their future success and Valley is committed to supporting them every step of the way . Beginning in 2018 , Valley introduced Financial Empowerment to the curriculum using the CFPB ’ s “ Your Money , Your Goals - Financial Empowerment Toolkit ”. This multifaceted program consists of nine modules covering topics such as consumer advocacy , income , credit , debt management , and navigating financial setbacks . Since 2020 , Valley has volunteered over 65 hours and served nearly 200 women with Hoving Home .
Valley Bank
Valley ’ s partnership with Invest Newark , the City of Newark ’ s Economic Development Corporation , includes the Language of Capital ( LOC ) program . The program provides Newarkbased entrepreneurs with technical resources to build business acumen and access capital , equipping them to make the most informed decisions to achieve their entrepreneurial goals . Topics covered in the series include planning and access to capital , business insurance , using merchant services and more . Valley has partnered with Invest Newark for four cohorts of the LOC program , including the first program offered completely in Portuguese . Led by Valley ’ s Community Lending team , this impactful resource for entrepreneurs was realized through the efforts of over 30 volunteers from across the bank contributing over 200 community service hours , demonstrating the bank ’ s commitment to furthering economic development opportunities for small businesses .
Valley Health System
To assist Valley Health System employees to relax , have fun , build resilience , and strengthen relationships with one another – believing that a patient care team that knows each other well is an optimal patient care team (!) – Valley ’ s nursing leadership established RN Vibe .
RN Vibe offers many monthly events and activities that not only support staff , but also give back to the community .
Just a few examples of RN Vibe events and activities over the past year include a Gratitude Day that collected Thanksgiving food and Shop Rite gift cards for families in need , a Holiday Giving Tree that assisted fellow employees in need to purchase gifts for their loved ones , and a Share the Love Day that collected donations for families with pets in need .
RN Vibe offers the opportunity for thousands of Valley employees to gather , enjoy each other ’ s company , build resilience , and most importantly give back to the community Valley serves .
Whitestone
In 2014 , Whitestone established the Community Outreach & Volunteering Group to promote a charitable spirit and foster reinvestment in the communities where we live and work . Highlights over the years included providing labor for Habitat for Humanity construction projects , clean-up and food service work at various shelters and soup kitchens , and an annual toy drive . Since that time , Whitestone has continued to support humanitarian organizations and serve the public , despite the challenges we ’ ve all faced due to the global pandemic . Over the past year , Whitestone ’ s team of volunteers organized trash and debris removals along various waterways of New Jersey and participated in the statewide beach cleanup effort organized by Clean Ocean Action . We also aimed our efforts at providing aid to teachers and students by donating supplies to local school districts , children ’ s shelters , and community centers in New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Florida , and Connecticut . To close out 2022 , Whitestone focused on relieving food insecurity by volunteering at local soup kitchens and distribution centers in multiple regions and organized another successful holiday toy and winter clothing drive . Whitestone embraces the privilege to be of service to the communities that support us , and we look forward to another impactful year .
Continued On Page 18
16 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com