South Mountain Cares Mission: To promote caring for others, a sense of community and the spirit of volunteerism within our school community by providing meaningful service opportunities for families throughout the year.

We are looking for volunteers and chairs for the following committees – Reading Buddies (reading program for grades K and 1 with seniors from our community), Senior Citizen Appreciation (opportunities for students and their families to spend time with local seniors), Hunger and Homelessness (coordinating opportunities with local homeless organizations and food banks) and the Annual PTA Coat Drive.

We are also starting a new program where we will need two parent volunteers per grade to supervise grade level volunteering projects chosen by the students.
Are you interested in volunteering or chairing any of the SMC activities? CLICK THIS LINK TO VOLUNTEER
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Senior Appreciation
Opportunities for interactions between South Mountain families and local senior citizens. Family social hours at local senior centers and involving seniors in our school activities such as the Reading Buddies program. (Year round)

Winter Wear Drive
Annual coat drive and coat sorting project. Coats are donated to the Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive, as well as local organizations. (October/November)

Hunger/Homelessness
Work with the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Essex county to provide meals for families in their network, food drives or help with their annual holiday party. (Year round)

South Mountain Cares Community Crisis Team
At times throughout the year, families in our South Mountain school community may face unforeseen adversities such as a separation, divorce, fire, serious illness or even death. At these times our school community comes together to support these families. We are establishing a small group of volunteers who may be called upon to help in these situations. We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to provide a meal, run an errand or help in some other way as needed. As a volunteer, you would agree to be contacted should a need in our school community arise. Volunteers will be called as needed and will have the ability to determine if they can help at that time and/or to what extent.

If you or someone you know could use support from the South Mountain Cares Community Crisis team, please contact Jen Greenberg, jenrgreenberg@gmail.com, South Mountain Cares Community Crisis Team Chair or Tina Lehn, tlehn@somsd.k12.nj.us.