You definitely get more done when you are able to work together with others. That's what the service clubs in Jackson, New Jersey learned. In an effort spearheaded by the Jackson Optimist Club, service clubs came together to help a local veteran obtain a service dog.
The 26-year old disabled veteran was put on a waiting list with Veterans Services and told that it might be ten years before he received a service dog trained to especially assist those with post traumatic stress disorder. Friends, neighbors and community members believed that was too long so the idea of an umbrella group that could help coordinate community needs was hatched and the Jackson 501 Association was formed.
The charter members of the 501 Association are the Jackson Kiwanis, the Rotary Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Vladimir’s Church, the Jackson Women of Today, the Optimist Club, the Central Jersey Italian American Club, the Fossils Car Club and the Jackson Alumni Hall of Fame.
In addition to working together on special projects, the Jackson 501 Association has launched a service club portal that explains each organization's mission and provides an application and contact information to help interested volunteers get involved. Please visit www.jackson501association.org to learn more.