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East Rutherford's YMCA Decks Out First-ever 501(c) Trees

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. – Give the gift of charity by visiting the "501(c) Trees For a Cause" at the Hilton of Hasbrouck Heights.

Girl Scouts from Hasbrouck Heights adorn Christmas trees for the first-ever 501(c) Trees event at the Hilton.

Girl Scouts from Hasbrouck Heights adorn Christmas trees for the first-ever 501(c) Trees event at the Hilton.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Girl Scouts decorated their tree with festive handmade ornaments.

Girl Scouts decorated their tree with festive handmade ornaments.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Employees of the Bergen Volunteer Center in Hackensack look over their 501(c) Tree.

Employees of the Bergen Volunteer Center in Hackensack look over their 501(c) Tree.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
The mitten decorations were symbolic of the volunteers hands helped throughout the year.

The mitten decorations were symbolic of the volunteers hands helped throughout the year.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Many ornaments were handmade and personalized.

Many ornaments were handmade and personalized.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Members from the Adler Aphasia Center with their 501(c) tree.

Members from the Adler Aphasia Center with their 501(c) tree.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
New Jersey District 6 Little League had fun decorations.

New Jersey District 6 Little League had fun decorations.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Members of District 6 Little League with their 501(c) tree.

Members of District 6 Little League with their 501(c) tree.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative tree was very traditional.

The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative tree was very traditional.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Daisies and Browns gather around the finished tree.

Daisies and Browns gather around the finished tree.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
The tree for New Concepts for Living features large, handmade ornaments and candy canes.

The tree for New Concepts for Living features large, handmade ornaments and candy canes.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Staff members put the finishing touches on a tree.

Staff members put the finishing touches on a tree.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Ornaments from the Meadowlands YMCA tell the story of its mission.

Ornaments from the Meadowlands YMCA tell the story of its mission.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Even the tree-toppers were unique.

Even the tree-toppers were unique.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Staff members had fun decorating trees.

Staff members had fun decorating trees.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Signage will tell hotel guests and community residents the story of the 501(c) trees.

Signage will tell hotel guests and community residents the story of the 501(c) trees.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis

Nonprofits from around Bergen County are raising awareness about their causes at the first-ever event, where people can make a donation in person or online. 

Sponsored by the Nonprofit Committee as part of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event was a collaborative effort with nonprofits from all over Bergen County who came together to host the event.

Each organization was assigned a tree in the hotel lobby of the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights to decorate in a way that reflects their individual missions. Children and adults adorned their trees with a variety of festive decorations, strings of lights, strands of tinsel, handmade ornaments and cards and candy canes.

"501(c)Trees is an incredible opportunity for Bergen County nonprofits to come together to collaborate and hopefully, raise some funds for the involved organizations,” said Samantha Poremba, of BVMI, and committee co-chair. “More importantly, our gracious hosts over at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights have provided us with a wonderful means of raising awareness about the unique mission of each participating nonprofit."

A total of seven Bergen County nonprofits participated in this year’s event:

  • Adler Aphasia Center, Maywood;
  • Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, Hackensack;
  • District 6 Little League, representing teams from Teaneck, Fort Lee, Edgewater, Little Ferry/South Hackensack, Palisades Park/Leonia, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, Englewood Cliffs, Cliffside Park, Fairview;
  • Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, Paramus and Paterson;
  • Meadowlands Area YMCA, East Rutherford and Lyndhurst;
  • Bergen Volunteer Center, Hackensack;
  • New Concepts for Living, Rochelle Park, Garfield, Clifton.

“The Nonprofit Committee is an extremely active group and is an example of how chamber members can come together and work toward a common goal,” says Jim Kirkos, CEO of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The 501(c) Trees will remain on display through Jan. 6 in the lower lobby of the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, 650 Terrace Avenue in Hasbrouck Heights.

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