Community-based nonprofit · Short Hills, NJ
Since 2020, kids and families in Millburn have turned lemonade stands, art supplies and spare afternoons into real help for hospitals, shelters, seniors and neighbors who need it.
Inspire young citizens through creativity and volunteering to help those in need.
Our mission
Millburn Inspire started at home. In March 2020, two kids wanted to thank the nurses and doctors working through the pandemic. They drew pictures, wrote encouraging notes and packed snack bags for staff breaks. Within weeks, more than 75 Millburn kids had joined in.
That is still how we work. Young people pick a cause, plan the project and run it, with families and community partners behind them. Every program is a chance to learn something, have fun doing it, and serve someone else.
Now running · 2025–26
Each program has a student or parent team lead. Pick one that fits your schedule and interests.
Volunteers give seniors one-on-one help with iPhones and Android phones: video calls with family, health and transportation apps, and spotting scams.
With East Orange Housing Authority · 60–120 min sessions
Sierra House at 70 Chestnut Street, East Orange, houses 20–25 young people leaving homelessness or aging out of foster care. We run drives, fundraise for beds and furnishings, and volunteer in their life-skills programs.
Drop clean coats and blankets at Spotless Dry Cleaners of Millburn. We collect them every January to help neighbors stay warm.
Dr. Egan and a team of medical residents travel into the community to deliver medical care to unhoused residents of Elizabeth. The Trinitas Foundation and Volunteer department are collecting items for these visits.
Our story
Every project below began as an idea from a young volunteer.
Kids drew artwork and wrote messages on snack bags for hospital staff on break, delivered to Trinitas Regional Medical Center, East Orange General, RWJ Barnabas Livingston and others.
4,500+ bags · 85+ kids · 4 months
Lemonade stands, bake sales, paintings and hand-made rakhis raised money and gifts for the residential teen program at Trinitas New Point Behavioral Health.
$3,000 raised · 45+ kids
Families prepared and delivered hot meals and goodie bags with warm clothing and toiletries to people experiencing homelessness.
600+ hot meals · 250+ goodie bags · 40+ families
Protective kits for cancer center patients, nursing kits for a women’s clinic, and welcome snack bags for new hospital employees.
With the Lions Club, we collected prescription glasses and hearing devices for optical missions abroad. In December, we packed holiday kits for low-income hospital workers.
600+ pairs of glasses
Motor-skill learning materials for children with disabilities whose families lack insurance support, plus breast cancer awareness kits.
A long-term partnership with a transitional home for young adults, and a new monthly tech-help program pairing teens with seniors.
Our partners
These organizations open their doors to our volunteers and help our projects reach the people who need them.
Now recruiting · 6 volunteer openings
We’re growing, and we need adult and high school volunteers to help lead the work behind our programs.
Find foundation and government grants that fit our programs, draft applications and reports, and keep track of deadlines.
Each coordinator owns one program, such as Smart & Connected Seniors, Sierra House or the Coat Drive. You schedule volunteers, organize supplies and share results with the board.
Build relationships with hospitals, shelters, schools and local businesses. Bring in new partners and keep current ones informed.
Keep this website up to date, post event photos and drive dates on Facebook and Instagram, and help spread the word about new programs.
Only you and the page’s editors can see this list.
Get involved
Our youngest volunteers decorate bags. Our high schoolers run whole programs. Parents drive, bake, sort and cheer.
millburninspire@gmail.com
@millburninspire
Have an idea? Students can pitch a cause, plan a fundraiser like a read-a-thon or walkathon, and lead it with our help.
Pitch an ideaProgram team
Past board members
Contact us
millburninspire@gmail.comShort Hills, New Jersey 07078
Join the Millburn Inspire WhatsApp group or follow us on Facebook for drive dates and sign-ups.
Community Needs Board
Shelters, food pantries, schools and community groups post what they’re short on. Families, students and businesses can see it and help directly.
For nonprofits
Tell the community what your organization needs. Be specific about items and quantities so people can help quickly. Millburn Inspire reviews the board and may remove posts that aren’t from a nonprofit or community group.