TRHSE Community Service

ABOUT COMMUNITY SERVICE

The spirit & culture at Toms River High School East spotlights student growth as contributors to the world around them. High School East encourages students to become involved in service that is meaningful, age-appropriate, and beneficial to the school or wider community.

Community service is not required for graduation. However, students who complete and properly submit qualifying hours for approval may be eligible for annual recognition during senior year, and may be eligible to receive a community service cord at graduation.

Before beginning an activity, students should review what qualifies as community service and make sure an adult supervisor will be able to verify their participation.

How to Submit Community Service Hours

Students should use the reporting method that matches where the service was completed.

Outside-of-School Service

Use this option for volunteer work completed with a community organization, nonprofit agency, library, hospital, municipal program, religious or civic organization, or another approved organization outside of High School East.

Download the Community Service Hours Verification Form.
Complete the student portion.
Ask the adult supervisor to verify the service.
Upload a clear copy of the completed form through the Community Service Submission Google Form.

Please keep a copy of all submitted documentation for your records.

[Students must submit their hours and form through their student.trschools email]

In-School Service

Use this option for approved service completed through a High School East club, event, program, or staff-supervised activity.

Students will submit their activity, date, and hours through the Student Portal. The supervising advisor or staff member will review and approve the hours.

Community Service Recognition

Students may be recognized for completing and submitting verified community service hours.

Spirit of the Raider Award

Students who completed at least 40 verified hours during the annual community service period may be invited to the Community Service Breakfast and receive the Spirit of the Raider Community Service Award.

Graduation Community Service Cord

Graduating seniors who complete at least 160 verified hours by the submission period of their senior year may receive a community service cord to wear at graduation.

Hours must be submitted and approved by the annual May deadline to be considered for recognition.

What Qualifies as Community Service?

Community service is unpaid work completed to benefit the school or the greater community. Activities must be age-appropriate, completed outside of regular academic requirements, and verified by an adult supervisor.

Example of Qualifying Community Service

Unpaid service through a nonprofit or community organization
Volunteering at a food pantry or clothing drive
Library volunteering
Environmental cleanup activities
Animal shelter support
Approved tutoring or mentoring
Approved virtual volunteer service
Assisting with a school event beyond regular club or team participation

Examples of Activities That Do Not Qualify

Paid employment
Family or household chores
Babysitting for relatives, friends, or neighbors
Routine assistance provided to family members/neighbors
Regular club meetings
Sports practices, games, band competitions
Activities completed for a class grade or academic credit
Travel time
Activities that cannot be verified

Unsure whether an activity qualifies? Please ask for clarification from your advisor, your school counselor, or Ms. Bush in the Counseling Department before completing the hours. Some activities may require prior approval.

Find Volunteer Opportunities:

Students and families may review the current, seasonal, and year-round volunteer opportunities listed below. Please contact each organization directly to confirm availability, age requirements, and application procedures are subject to change.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

How to Submit Community Service Hours

Outside-of-School Service

In-School Service

Community Service Recognition

Example of Qualifying Community Service

Examples of Activities That Do Not Qualify

Alcoeur Gardens

All Fur One Pet Rescue & Adoptions

American Red Cross

Beachwood Recreation Commission

Boy Scouts of America

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey

Children's Specialized Hospital/Robert Wood Johnson

Clean Ocean Action

Community Medical Center

Community Threads Store

Dermer Dreams

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore

Habitat For Humanity (Northern Office)

HOPE Sheds Light

Jersey Shore Animal Shelter

Ocean County Historical Society

Pure Yoga

S.A.V.E. (Shore Animal Volunteer Enterprise)

Saint Bernard's Project (SBP)

Schoolhouse.World

Shorrock Gardens Brick

St. Justin's Holy Innocence Program

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter

The Pines at Whiting

The Salvation Army

Toms River Basketball Association

Toms River East Little League - Challenger Division

Toms River Youth Center

TOP Soccer

VolunteerMatch.org

*School-based clubs/activities*

Alcoeur Gardens

Alcoeur Gardens, a Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Community, in Toms River is looking for caring and
compassionate individuals who enjoy volunteering
with our residents in our Activities Department.

Alcoeur Gardens is located at 1126 Lakewood Road Toms River, NJ 08753

To inquire about volunteer opportunities, email staffing1@alcoeurgardens.com
You can also call 732-244-1915 for more information.

All Fur One Pet Rescue & Adoptions

AFO's mission is to create a community-focused, pet adoption center run by like-minded individuals who have a passion for rescuing dogs and cats. The facility provides a temporary home for rescued pets with a dedicated team of animal lovers and volunteers. Volunteers care for the well-being of the animals (i.e., walking, feeding, socializing).

For more information, visit All Fur One's website: https://allfurone.org/volunteer/ and complete the volunteer application form.
Contact: 732-255-3871

American Red Cross

Youth volunteer with their Youth Council in all aspects of the American Red Cross (Disaster Relief, Health and Safety, and Life Line). Training and classes are available.

Contact: Maureen Buehl (732) 493-9100 ext. 1241
Address: 1540 West Park Ave, Ocean, NJ 07712
No special skills needed.

Beachwood Recreation Commission

The Beachwood Recreation Commission offers community service opportunities through various events throughout the year. Some of the events on their schedule include an Easter egg hunt, a movie night, and even assisting on July 4th for their highly regarded fireworks show.

Contact Ms. Heather Archer at heatherarcher70@gmail.com if interested or want to inquire about these opportunities.

Boy Scouts of America

Volunteers help assist Scouting in their areas meet with success of accomplishing goals. According to their website: "Scouting is a youth-led, youth-run program, but the youth must be trained to be leaders. Adult role models in Scouting provide an ideal learning experience for all youth."

Contact: Jersey Shore Council # 341 at (732) 349-1037
Address: 1518 Ridgeway Road, Toms River, NJ 08755
Call for specific details or visit: https://www.scouting.org/about/volunteer/

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey

Join one of the most exciting opportunities to assist people in need along the Jersey Shore! If you have 5 minutes a week or 5 hours a month: you can volunteer with Caregiver Volunteers. Here are just some of the amazing ways you could help: Respite Care, Medical Transportation, Grocery Shopping, Friendly Visits, Alzheimer’s Respite Care, and Connect Through Music (where you make musical playlists for someone in need).

Contact: Gabriella Grinwald-Alves at gabriella@caregivervolunteers.org
Information sessions are hosted via Zoom every Tuesday at 6 pm and every Thursday at 10 am.
There is an application process and a background check for some opportunities.
Website: https://caregivervolunteers.org/volunteer/become-a-caregiver-volunteer/

Children's Specialized Hospital/Robert Wood Johnson

Volunteers must be 15 years or older and are based in a non-clinical capacity to support outpatient care centers in Toms River.

Children's Specialized is now accepting new volunteers for a variety of programs.
Check their website for updates: https://www.rwjbh.org/childrens-specialized-hospital/giving/ways-to-give/volunteer/available-opportunities/
Please make note of the age-range necessary to volunteer for specific programs prior to applying.

Clean Ocean Action

Clean Ocean Action offers several volunteer opportunities to help further their important mission. Active throughout all of NJ's seasons there is an opportunity for all to get involved.

If you are interested, please complete the volunteer form by visiting their website.

Clean Ocean Action

Community Medical Center

Volunteers lend their support in several ways, from delivering flowers and mail to filling or answering phones. Volunteers at Community Medical Center can be found in the hospital and Second Time Around Consignment Shop, as well as other locations.

Contact: Cherrell Smalls (732) 557-8129 or email Cherrell.Smalls@rwjbh.org
High School students 14 years of age and up are welcome.
Visit to complete the Junior Application: https://www.rwjbh.org/community-medical-center/volunteer/

(Learn more about the one of our student volunteer featured experiences!)

Community Threads Store

The Community Threads Store, located in Brick Township Civic Plaza (270 Chambers Bridge Rd, Unit 11, Brick, NJ 08723), provides free access to a variety of donated items for families in need.

Available items include:

Clothing and shoes
Linens and accessories
Kids’ items
Personal hygiene products
Cleaning supplies
And more!

This is a great option for families who may be looking for essential items, and it’s also a wonderful opportunity for those who would like to give back.

💙 Interested in volunteering? The Community Threads Store is currently looking for volunteers!

📞 To learn more or get involved, please contact them at 848-227-1205.

Dermer Dreams

Students can register to become a Team Captain or volunteer individually. Team Captains must deliver with an adult over the age of 18. However, there is no age requirement to volunteer to collect for the food drive.

Contact Alyse Dermer at alyse@dermerdreams.org with any questions.
To learn more and to sign up visit: https://www.dermerdreams.org/

Volunteer Outreach Flyer side by side (2).pdf

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore

The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore can help you hone your leadership skills, all while helping to empower other girls in your area.

View their calendar here or email ltowlen@gsfun.org

Habitat For Humanity (Northern Office)

Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. The Northern Office of Habitat for Humanity offers many opportunities for community service and internships. Opportunities for Restore begin as early as 14 years of age and onwards.

Email Ms. Laura Wagner Paolillo at resourcedevelopment@nohfh.com
Learn More to Volunteer: https://northernoceanhabitat.org/volunteer/

HOPE Sheds Light

HOPE Sheds Light's mission is to bring awareness to the community about the impacts of addiction and educating the community through supportive outreach. Volunteers help in raising awareness and providing assistance to support families affected while connecting to the community to make positive connections for lasting change.

Email Nancy at Nancy@hopeshedlight.org
Register to Volunteer: https://hopeshedslight.org/become-a-volunteer/
Website details a monthly calendar of events.

Jersey Shore Animal Shelter

The Jersey Shore Animal Shelter rescues, cares, and will rehome unwanted, abused, abandoned or sick animals. Their amazing goal is to provide all animals their forever homes. Volunteers can help with dog walking, socializing with cats, fundraising, off-site events, working the thrift store and giving tours to the public.

All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.
Must be able to commit to volunteering to at least 1 day per week.
Be able to volunteer on a regular schedule and basis.
Complete orientation.
To apply, visit: https://jerseyshoreanimalcenter.org/volunteering/

Kiddo Kindness

Kiddo Kindness is a nonprofit dedicated to spreading joy to pediatric patients through handmade cards and care packages.

Learn more on their website here Kiddo Kindness!.

Lasagna Love

Lasagna Love is a global nonprofit and grassroots movement that aims to positively impact communities by connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. We also seek to eliminate stigmas associated with asking for help when it is needed most. Our mission is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities.

Watch the video on their official website.
Fill out their form to register to become a volunteer. (Make sure to check email/spam folder too, for confirmation email).
Next, sign up to cook and deliver lasagna.

Ocean County Library

The Ocean County Library offers a virtual option for teens looking to volunteer and help younger learners. The S.A.I.L. Program means Service Achievement in the Library is a Summer volunteer program. There are other opportunities throughout the school year for students 13 years of age and onwards.

To learn more visit: https://theoceancountylibrary.org/teens/volunteers

Volunteering in the Service and Achievement In the Library (S.A.I.L.) is offered to teens who have completed at least 7th grade and are entering 8th grade in the fall of 2025. For our Spirited Raiders, we will accept hours logged during the summer of their rising 9th grade after completing Intermediate School.

Ocean County Library will begin accepting Teen Volunteer applications beginning on May 1st, 2026. To learn more about their volunteer programs and S.A.I.L., follow this link and see the info below.

Ocean's Harbor House

The Harbor House provides a safe haven in a caring environment for youth. There are opportunities to volunteer to help such as gathering wish list items, assisting with clean up, holiday decorating, seasonal events, and helping to promote the organization's events.

To sign up and for more information visit: https://www.oceansharborhouse.org/how-you-can-help

Ocean County Historical Society

A local treasure to our area, the Ocean County Historical Society has been collecting, interpreting and preserving stories, artifacts and archival resources of Ocean County's heritage for over 70 years. Volunteers can work at the museum or research center.

For detailed information and to apply online, visit: https://www.oceancountyhistory.org/support/volunteers/

Pure Yoga

Pure Yoga offers a range of yoga styles and has been serving the community since 2016. With over 20+ classes weekly, private on-site and off-site classes and events they pride themselves on not only in teaching quality yoga classes but cultivating wellness, connections, and relationships within the community.

Pure Yoga offers a community service program called "Pure Toms River Yoga Karma Desk". By volunteering at their front desk, doing light clerical work, students can earn community service hours and possible earn free yoga hours.

S.A.V.E. (Shore Animal Volunteer Enterprise)

SAVE takes unwanted, homeless and abandoned animals and provides them with medical care and a safe and nurturing environment until they find their forever homes.

SAVE has its very own pet center with adoptions centers the Brick PetSmart as well as a Thrift Shop located in Toms River.

To find out about volunteer opportunities (for some opportunities students need to be 18+):

visit: Volunteer Opportunities
call: (732) 831-4291

Saint Bernard's Project (SBP)

SBP was created in an effort to help after the destruction following Hurricane Katrina. SBP had helped more locally after Superstorm Sandy impacted NJ and surrounding areas. Volunteers go where the areas of need are most impacted following each storm season. There are still efforts in fundraising and support that students can still provide to give back to this nonprofit organization.

For more information to help, visit: https://sbpusa.org/get-involved

Schoolhouse.World

Schoolhouse is a resource for students seeking free online tutoring services from volunteer peers. This is a great opportunity to help learners especially if commuting to and from service sites is limited.

For more information & to learn more on how to become an online tutor, visit: https://schoolhouse.world/become-a-tutor

For Schoolhouse's handbook and more info on tutoring: https://coda.io/@schoolhouse-world/volunteering-at-schoolhouse

Volunteer Letter.pdf

Shorrock Gardens Brick

Complex Care at Shorrock Gardens, a Nursing Home in Brick, is seeking summer volunteers to assist with programs for their residents. If interested, contact Kelsey O'Gorman at KOGorman@ccshorrockgardens.com or (732)-451-1000 ext. 104

St. Justin's Holy Innocence Program

St Justin’s Holy Innocence Program is a CCD for children with special needs. They often are looking for class aides for their Saturday morning program. Participating volunteers can earn community service hours. If you any students would like to volunteer, their program meets Saturday mornings 10am-12pm, with class occurring from 10am-11am. Volunteers help with music, art or games. Volunteers can help with an hour or for the entire 2 hours. If interested, please email Ms. Francine Campbell at fcampbell@trschools.com

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter

The Arc's mission is to advocate while providing opportunities for all individuals with with intellectual and and developmental disabilities. Volunteers must be 18+ and attend a training orientation. Those who volunteer may supervise clients with developmental disabilities, initiation and coordinate activities, and act as a positive role model and companion.

Visit https://www.arcocean.org/get-involved/volunteer.html for more information and to sign up.

The Pines at Whiting

The Pines at Whiting, a Senior Living Home, is in need of Volunteers in many areas of our community. They are looking for volunteers with musical talent, who can help garden, help hand out mail, offer Skypes with family members, play games or just visiting our residents. These are great ways to share your talent and make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Contact: Terry Walby, Volunteer Coordinator at (732) 350-1143 or email: twalby@thepinesatwhiting.org

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army of Ocean County serves the communities of Bayville, Beachwood, Island Heights, Lavalette, Ocean Beach, Ortley Beach, Pelican Island, Pine Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, South Toms River, and Toms River. Fo

Games begin in April.
Send an email to TRELLCHALL@COMCAST.NET

Toms River Basketball Association

The Toms River Basketball Association (TRBA) holds a basketball winter "clinic" for 1st and 2nd graders. The clinic focuses on learning basketball skills through drills and instruction. The TRBA is a volunteer-driven organization.

The clinic is held on Sundays mornings at either West Dover or Washington St. Elementary. Interested volunteers are invited to volunteer as much or as little as they'd like.

Clinic meets on Sunday from the first week of December to late February.
Send an email to Mr. Brian Thompson at thompsonb218@verizon.net or Mr. Derek Richardson at derektrba@gmail.com .

Toms River East Little League - Challenger Division

The Toms River East Little League (TRELL) Challenger provides special needs children an opportunity to play little league baseball. Some players require a "buddy" to assist them with on the field activities (i.e., fielding, throwing, and running the bases). A Challenger Buddy helps keep them safe while guiding them throughout the game. No experience is necessary.

Games begin in April.
Send an email to TRELLCHALL@COMCAST.NET

Toms River Youth Center

Responsibilities: Assist with activities for children ages 6-12 years old.

Contact: Adam (732)341-1000 ext 8436
Address: Toms River Youth Center, Bay Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753

TOP Soccer

About: TOP Soccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a program designed to promote awareness in Youth Soccer. It was developed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, age 3-11, and 12+, with developmental and/or physical disability. Volunteers from within the community and the Toms River Futbol Club have designed a program to introduce soccer and establish ongoing seasonal programs. Their goal is to allow children to participate in team and individual play while learning the game of soccer.

For information, an application or if you wish or volunteer, please contact: Mr. Vincent Guardino (732) 270-4119 or Ms. Donna King (732) 914-1304 or (732) 232-5814 (cell) bkdkzkak@yahoo.com

VolunteerMatch.org

VolunteerMatch.org provides service-seekers and non-profits a way of connecting. To find community service opportunities, enter your zip code and search here: Volunteer Match Search

School-based clubs/activities

There are many opportunities to volunteer as part of many of our clubs and activities. Here is a brief list of clubs and activities that do fundraising and participate in volunteerism for the community: Hispanic Heritage Club, T.E.A.M., Interact, Ambassadors, Peer Leadership, and Spirit Club.

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