Page 5 - March 23, 2022

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COMMUNITY UPDATE

However, when hosting an online event, Veterans Sought
be sure to create rules and protocols. Area Organizations Join Together
Write a press release: Another one of To Serve as Diversion to Fight Food Insecurity
the ways to market your small business is Program Peer Mentors
a press release. Never underestimate the The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Statistics show that one in nine homes in Cumberland County experiences food
power press releases have for attracting Office Veterans Diversion Program (VDP) insecurity. Recognizing the need to help alleviate this issue, the Vineland Rotary
the attention of the media. Write a press is designed to assist individuals who have Club recently provided 340 spaghetti dinners to people in need.
release to a positive event or contribution served in the U.S. Military and now have Donna Bennett, Club president, explained, “Providing community service is an
your business made and send it to local come into contact with the criminal justice essential aspect of what we do as Rotarians. During a time when there’s limited or
media. The event should be significant system. If an individual is accepted into and uncertain access to adequate food supplies our Club continues to see the impor-
such as donating a sum of money to help successfully completes the program, it is tance of focusing on community projects that help address and lessen the anxiety
a local hospital or hosting a 5K run for a possible for the individual to avoid a crimi- that comes with food insecurities. I especially thank the Cumberland Cape Atlantic
good cause. Press releases are a valuable nal conviction. YMCA for sponsoring our second annual spaghetti dinner to feed our community.
tool to spread your news across various The goal of the program is to reduce The Y’s donation of $2,000 helped us provide a warm meal on a Sunday afternoon
outlets and can be cost-efficient. veteran contacts with the criminal justice to many individuals.”
Network with other local business- system, reduce the number of incarcerated George Steinbronn, Jr., the Y’s CEO, said, “Our YMCA is deeply committed to
es: Small businesses need to stick togeth- veterans, reduce the costs to the public and improving the quality of health of families in our area. We were glad to be a lead
er and aid each other as part of a commu- provide services and support for veterans. sponsor of this event which so effectively matched agencies with those in need of a
nity. Find a local or online small business Oftentimes it used to assist veterans who nutritious meal.”
that meshes well with your own and ask find themselves falling victim to substance The menu included a complete dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, salad with
to hold a combined event or contest. Two abuse and becoming involved in criminal dressing, rolls and butter, and a variety of desserts. Approximately 25 Rotarians and
small businesses working together means activities. Additionally, the program is their spouses cooked and packaged the foods. They worked for hours to have the
more opportunities to share a larger table meant to help veterans whose behavior may dinners ready for pickup or to be dropped off where needed.
at a trade show or event, creating more be caused by post traumatic stress disorder, The receiving agencies were the Cumberland County Family Shelter, Vineland
opportunities to market your small busi- mental health issues, traumatic brain inju- Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, M-25 Initiative, Mission Teens,
ness. In addition, both businesses can ries and other physical injuries that are a Ranch Hope, and Salvation Army, plus a group of families displaced by a Millville
advertise a larger prize to attract more result of their time in the service. fire.
audiences for a contest and build word of VDP is a partnership between the Andy Browne, fundraising chair of the Vineland Rotary Club, said, “Our Club
mouth for your brand. Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, works really well together as a team. When you unify, you can do so much, and I
Customer rewards program: Show local law enforcement agencies, veteran’s give credit to the Club.
appreciation to your loyal customers by administrators, state and county agencies, “Everyone seemed genuinely thank-
creating a customer rewards program. volunteers, community based organizations ful,” Browne added. “We know that
Rewards programs are a great market- and medical treatment facilities to assist the food definitely went to people who
ing way to ensure your valued customers veterans in the criminal justice system. A needed it.” He also extended thanks to
revisit your business instead of a com- vital component of the VDP is to provide the YMCA for its role in supporting the
petitor. For example, you can have cus- such veterans with as much assistance and project, saying “When the Y heard that
tomers enter their phone number, email, support as possible in order to for them to we needed help with our fundraising,
or give them a rewards card to enter have the best chance of being successful. they donated to our cause. We hope to
each time during checkout. The rewards For this reason, the Cumberland County continue to partner with them, as our
can be as large or as small as you want Prosecutor’s Office is actively seeking addi- mission at Rotary dovetails with the
them to be. For example, after every 10 tional peer mentors to support program eli- YMCA’s mission.”
purchases, your customer can receive a gible service members through the criminal For more information about the
$5 off coupon. Not only are customer justice system while also assisting in their Rotary Club, visit VinelandRotary.com.
rewards programs good for marketing individual treatment plans.
to your audience but it also helps build A mentor is intended to encourage, Rotarian Eileen Duffy, left, distributes some
of the meals to Dawn Garrison, of Ranch
brand loyalty. guide, and support the veteran mentee. Hope.
Marketing ideas for your small busi- Mentors should be good listeners and be
ness are achievable through technology willing to spend the time necessary to
and local events allowing small busi- understand the concerns of the veteran responding Reserve or Guard branches. program/#intro and complete the online
nesses to efficiently budget, advertise, mentee. Mentors do not need a legal back- Training for mentors will be provided. application. A representative from the New
create awareness, and network at a low ground or experience, just a desire to help Individuals who wish to volunteer as a Jersey Department of Military and Veteran
cost. Remember, marketing locally can be a fellow veteran. Generally, mentors are mentor must complete an application, a Affairs (DMAVA) will reach out to you with
a cost-efficient way to aid your business expected to make weekly contact with their background check and submit their DD214 training information, including the date,
in ganging notice and recognition. n verifying an honorable discharge or proof of time, and location (virtual or in-person).
assigned veteran through a phone call or being on active duty. DMAVA hopes to have a mentor train-
an in-person meeting. Mentors must be a
This week’s blog was written by veteran of one of the branches of the U.S. To apply to be a mentor, visit the State ing in May or June of 2022. Any questions
Clearbridge Branding Agency’s Rowan Military, including the Marine Corps, Navy, of New Jersey Department of Military and regarding the Cumberland County VDP
University intern, Emily Kowalenko. Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, or their cor- Veteran Affairs Website using the follow- Continued on next page
ing link: nj.gov/military/veterans/diversion