Carter Burden Network
Spring 2021 Volunteer Newsletter
Spring is here and so is National Volunteer Month! This Newsletter is dedicated to you, the Volunteers, who have been such a critical partner with CBN through the years in delivering our mission, especially now during the pandemic.
Interested in sharing your CBN volunteer
story with us?

CBN is looking for volunteer stories to share with our supporters as part of our ongoing 50th anniversary celebration this year! If you are interested, please email Jessica Cavallaro at cavallaroj@carterburdennetwork.org to learn more.
Letter from Director of Volunteer Services

Never could we have ever imagined that we would all be in a place where basic human interaction would be limited globally due to COVID-19. The Carter Burden Network has dedicated 50 years to serving the older population, where human connection and decreasing social isolation and loneliness have been a core part of our mission, allowing seniors to live engaged lives with safety and dignity. Despite these extended difficult circumstances, we have been beyond grateful for the outpouring of support from volunteers, Corporate, Foundation and Community partners reaching out to us to help during these unprecedented times.

Volunteer Appreciation Month has always been special to the Carter Burden Network. Though we are unable to celebrate in person this year, we want to thank you from a ‘socially distant’ approach. On behalf of the Volunteer Department and the Carter Burden Network, we want to personally thank you for your contributions and dedication to provide your time and resources, and for going above and beyond during unprecedented times to help us continue to serve our seniors. Whether it was remote or in-person, it has warmed the hearts of many of our members to know that they are not alone.

Not a day goes by where we don’t think of the hard work and contributions you selflessly give NYC seniors as part of our Carter Burden Network. You have made an impact not only to our seniors but the staff as well. It's bighearted individuals like you that make life brighter. This inspires us with joyful anticipation of reuniting with you in our common mission to enhance the lives of NYC seniors once it is safe to do so. 
 
On behalf of our Executive Director, William Dionne, and all the staff at Carter Burden Network, thank you for being such an amazing volunteer.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Moreno
Director of Volunteer Services
National Volunteer Month
Volunteers have been such a critical part of CBN throughout the years in effectively delivering our mission. Our volunteers bring joy and genuine care; whether it’s a Telefriend check-in call, hosting a virtual bingo or trivia game, peer-to-peer fundraising, or making handmade holiday cards that get delivered with meals, our volunteers go above and beyond. CBN thanks all of our amazing community, corporate,  student, and individual volunteers, including our Board of Directors, Associates Council, and Teen Council, who help make CBN as amazing as it is! Here is a special video message from the staff of CBN thanking our wonderful volunteers for all that they do!
Macy's Assists with CBN Reopening Strategy
As a longtime corporate partner, Macy's has become a crucial advocate of Carter Burden Network's mission in supporting the efforts of seniors to live safely and with dignity. Staying true to their generous corporate philanthropy, their amazing Facilities team is guiding CBN behind the scenes with planning our re-opening strategy.

Along with their guidance, Macy's has donated a shipment of PPE supplies that include cases of gallon size hand sanitizer dispenser refills, dispensers, and desktop hand sanitizer for our senior centers. These supplies will be used by our members, volunteers, and staff at all CBN locations to ensure that we are kept safe and protected during our transition back to in-person activities once it is safe to do so.

Our partners at Macy's have been so unbelievably instrumental in helping us with preparations for our reopening, and we are extremely grateful for their continued generosity and support. They are an exemplary corporate philanthropic partner, and an anchor in our volunteer force bringing goodwill, creativity, and cheer to NYC seniors.
Macy's Card Making Project
This past winter, volunteers at Macy's put a little bit of magic back into the season by making special holiday cards for our members! These thoughtful gifts were included in holiday gift bags that were distributed at our 4 senior centers. It’s acts of kindness like this that make all the difference to NYC seniors and brought so much joy during a difficult time for many individuals.
Guggenheim Partners Virtual Volunteer Event
Carter Burden Network would like to thank the awesome volunteer team from Guggenheim Partners for their enthusiasm and hard work in hosting a Virtual Bingo event for our members! The seniors and volunteers had a blast spending the hour playing, laughing, and socializing, all while winning some great prizes courtesy of our generous host. We appreciate Guggenheim for continuing to support our mission and also donating their time, especially during National Volunteer Month and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Bombas Holiday Sock Donation
During the 2020 holiday season, our friends at Bombas donated 1,000 pairs of socks that were distributed in CBN holiday goodie bags to NYC seniors. Bombas socks are highly sought after by our members, and were definitely used during this cold winter to keep seniors warm and cozy. Bombas is the best!
Mom and Son Duo Bring Spring Cheer to Seniors
Lisa and her son Andreas found a lovely way to celebrate Spring by making homemade festive cards and goodie bags for homebound seniors on Roosevelt Island. This mother and son volunteer team love to put smiles on the faces of our members, and always go above and beyond for RISC. We applaud them for their continual commitment to CBN! They are just two of the many volunteers that give so generously to NYC seniors. Happy Spring to all!
COOKFOX Virtual Volunteer Event
In late January, volunteers at COOKFOX Architects teamed up with CBN to put together a successful virtual Bingo and Trivia event for our members! Additionally, because of a generous donation made by COOKFOX, the winners of each round were able to go home with gift cards to their favorite stores.

As COVID-19 continues to isolate seniors inside their homes, providing virtual opportunities for individuals to socialize and interact with friends and peers is immensely crucial towards the fight against loneliness and depression within the aging community. This event with COOKFOX was the first of many wonderful virtual volunteer events this year and opened the door to future remote opportunities with corporate and community groups. We thank COOKFOX's amazing team for their hard work and support of CBN!
The Cura Foundation Mask & Sanitizer Donation
A big thank you to The Cura Foundation for generously donating 200 reusable masks, as well as 17 boxes of individual use hand sanitizer this winter! These PPE supplies were vital in our fight against COVID-19 and keeping our staff, volunteers, and vulnerable seniors healthy and safe.
Carter Burden Gallery Update
Our Carter Burden Gallery in Chelsea, a unique gallery that exhibits professional artists aged 60+, is now open by appointment only. We wouldn't be able to showcase the talent of our Gallery artists without the help from our amazing volunteers (one pictured below prepping and painting the Gallery's On the Wall section for an upcoming exhibit) and are so thankful for their continued assistance! Information on the current exhibit follows below.
Carter Burden Gallery presents three exhibitions: Seeking Light, Finding Hope featuring paintings by David Cerulli and Sculpture by Mary Reiser Heintjes in the East Gallery; Folded Light featuring hyper-realistic drawings by Sidney Peter Turner in the West Gallery, and On the Wall: Galaxsea featuring an installation of photographs by Judy Mauer. The exhibition runs from April 22nd - May 19th, 2021 at 548 West 28th Street in New York City.

For more information about this exhibit or to view virtually, please visit: