My Nonprofit Reviews

An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and to be protected for the rest of their lives. Founded, managed and run by dedicated volunteers, Fandango Sanctuary is currently home to donkeys, horses, one wild boar and 40 chickens, roosters, dogs and cats. It is a no-kill safe haven where animals receive the best care that can be provided. Animals are given the opportunity to behave as naturally as possible in a protective environment. Fandango also works with a local bee keeper who picks up unwanted bees and brings them to Fandango and takes care of them. Fandango is not government-funded, but depends on public support in the form of volunteering, monetary contributions, donations of food and materials, spreading the word, and in some cases, adoption. I have visited the “ranch” twice and have been working with management to broaden their reach of donors and, in particular, to expose Fandango to local community foundations and sources of operating support and disaster relief. I feel we have been successful.
Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until their death. However, some, like Fandango, offer re-homing services. Fandango, for example, has characteristics of both a sanctuary and a foster shelter where some animals may be in residence temporarily until a good home is found and others may be permanent residents. Fandango has been a Satellite and Adoption Center for Peaceful Valley donkey rescue, the largest donkey rescue in the USA, since September 2019 and since has fostered and found permanent private homes for many of their donkeys. Fandango also takes in chickens from the Charlotte County Mosquito program. Every year they retire chickens in the mosquito monitor program. Their horses are insured with a membership in the United States Equestrian Association. Fandango is affiliated with Loveland Center, a daycare for people with special needs. Located in North Port, Venice, Port Charlotte and Bradenton FLA, they visit once a week to volunteer, helping with repairs, taking care of the pasture, animal care.
I will continue to support Fandango Sanctuary.

Hello Antonio,
I was going to write you my feedback. Yes I am still working with George Ann once a week. I want to continue until Christmas if it is convenient. I am starting the dental school in January.

I want to say "thank you" to you and your team. I feel so lucky to be able to join Project Literacy. George Ann, she is fantastic and so helpful. I am so grateful.

You can't imagine how much helpful this class has been for me in this tough career journey of mine. I can't wait to give back to this community soon as a dentist.

I appreciate you all for volunteering your precious time and effort.

All the best,

Berna

Today, if a person is fortunate enough to attend a college or university, many graduate carrying enormous debt loads. Alternative professional aspirations, and where to hone them, are a very welcome alternative – for them as well as for those who are not university candidates. The Eastwick Schools offer such alternatives. As many of their former students can attest, they are by far the leader in this field in our area.

The recent death of former First Lady Barbara Bush brought back to the public eye her concern for adult literacy. During her time at the White House she spearheaded nationwide activities to encourage adults to increase their education levels and that of their children. 30 some years later, the literacy movement continues strong but without a figurehead. Individual organizations around the country have kept the momentum going – one of them being Project Literacy of Greater Bergen County. In the highly literate communities in which they work, Project Literacy is the only community-based agency offering free 1-on-1 adult basic literacy to the less-literate. Their students love them and some have been inspired to use their example to pay it forward. Their student Roseta said “Being a student of Project Literacy makes me try to be a better person. Watching all these people who dedicate their knowledge, their time, their money, makes me ask myself: what am I doing for helping others? I try to help others even on everyday simple things. In the future I look forward to volunteering and maybe I can make a difference in someone else’s life. Project Literacy is a wonderful program.”

Anastasio was handcuffed in the courthouse, because he walked through a door marked “Do Not Enter”. A new immigrant, he couldn’t speak or read English, but after only one year working with a Project Literacy tutor, Anastasio now holds down a job and is studying for the New Jersey driver’s license test, all in English. This is an example of the fine work this group does for individuals and the communities in which they live.

I have seen people who could not speak any English work hard with their tutor to get to the point that they can now communicate, can hold a job, get a driver's license and read in English to their children. People who were on the fringe are now fully integrated into their communities.

I have been supporting Family Promise of Bergen County for many years and am honored to be able to endorse their activities. The neediest among us are their constituents - either feeding homeless individuals at the county shelter, sheltering homeless families temporarily down on their luck, helping them get back on their feet with professional family case managers or giving homeless children two weeks of fun in the late summer sun. We often forget how lucky we are - until we see ourselves in the faces of these families.

More Feedback

In a country over run by failure, this is a true success story. 600 orphaned and vulnerable children no longer face illiteracy, ill health and potential early death. 1,600 more young Haitians get free education, food and basic health care.

More Feedback