On a warm, sunny day, 14 professionals traded their computers and conference calls for paintbrushes and gardening gloves. In doing so, they gave something far more valuable than a day’s work: They gave back to their community to help those in need.
Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance brokerage and consulting firm with a branch in nearby Parsippany, NJ, provided employees who volunteered at Rose House’s Hanover Community Residence. The project was coordinated by Jersey Cares, a Livingston, NJ-based nonprofit that creates meaningful volunteer opportunities, connecting individuals and companies with communities across the state.
Digging In: Roots Set, Hallways Beautified
Working in five backyard garden beds, the team turned overgrown weeds into welcoming green spaces, tending existing plantings and adding new flowers and vegetables for residents to nurture and enjoy. The flowers will bloom long after the volunteers have gone home, and the vegetable plants will be tended by residents who will take genuine pride in watching them grow. It’s living reminder that someone cared enough to put them there.
Inside the building, a second crew focused on refreshing the hallway doors throughout the apartment complex, applying fresh coats of paint that brightened the corridors and renewed the feeling that it’s a place well cared for.
“The simple act of painting a door speaks volumes,” explained Rose House CEO Tom Mitchell. “It tells our residents that they matter, and that they deserve beauty in their everyday surroundings. On behalf of our staff, residents, and families, we can’t thank Conner Strong & Buckelew enough for their hard work. We also greatly appreciate Jersey Cares for coordinating this act of generosity.”
A Forever Home Worth Celebrating
The Hanover Community Residence in Cedar Knolls, NJ, holds a special distinction within the Rose House family, as its dozen residents include eight participants in the organization’s Independent Living Program. The unique and empowering initiative supports adults with special needs in developing greater autonomy and self-sufficiency in their daily lives.
Thank you, Conner Strong & Buckelew, and Jersey Cares, for keeping the Hanover Community Residence looking beautiful!