501(c)(3) 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.
Thank you! On November 5 we delivered a car full of warm clothes, care kits, Ensure, Gatorade and hygiene supplies to Dr. Egan at Trinitas for his work with people experiencing homelessness in Elizabeth.
Read the story and watch Dr. Egan’s thank-you →
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. Our volunteers cook with residents, help with holiday events and put together birthday boxes.
Volunteer at Sierra House →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.
450 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.
Photos & news
Moments from our drives and projects, and places our partners and local news have featured Millburn Inspire.
This morning I delivered all your donations to Dr. Egan at Trinitas in Elizabeth for Road to Start, his work with people experiencing homelessness. We filled a whole car! 🚗
We brought warm clothes, care kits with your handwritten notes, Ensure, Gatorade, hygiene supplies and wipes, coats, hats and socks.
Dr. Egan came out to collect everything himself, and his enthusiasm to serve is truly inspiring. He also recorded a thank-you video for all of you 🙏
Thank you so much to every family who donated. This is going straight to neighbors who need it most, especially as it gets colder. ❤️
Birthdays are a time to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. To mark a special birthday this season, the Changela family decided to give back to the community in a meaningful way through Millburn Inspire.
Shivaan and Kaya put together 4 complete Birthday Celebration Boxes for the residents of Sierra House celebrating their birthdays in November. Each thoughtfully assembled box contains everything needed to throw a wonderful celebration, including:
We are so inspired by this wonderful initiative to bring joy, warmth, and hope to families and individuals in need. Thank you for showing what community spirit is all about! 💙🎂
Sponsor an upcoming month. Sierra House is home to 20–25 young people leaving homelessness or aging out of foster care. Celebrate your own birthday, anniversary or special occasion by putting together birthday boxes for an upcoming month.
We share photos of children only with a signed photo consent form, and use first names only.
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.
501(c)(3) Millburn Inspire Inc. is a tax-exempt nonprofit, EIN 85-1222780. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Verify our status · Does your employer match gifts?
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 ideaWe welcome middle and high school students, service clubs, honor societies, scout troops and school service-learning programs from Millburn, Short Hills and nearby towns.
Plan a school project
Email us your school or club name, grade levels and the kind of project you’d like. We’ll match you with a partner need.
mi@millburninspire.orgMany companies match employee donations to nonprofits, often dollar for dollar, and some also pay for volunteer hours. One form from you can double your impact.
What your employer will ask for
85-1222780 Can’t find us in your company’s portal? Email us your company’s name and we’ll register.
Program team
Past board members
Contact us
mi@millburninspire.orgShort Hills, New Jersey 07078. We serve Millburn, Short Hills and neighboring communities within about 15 miles, including Livingston, Maplewood, South Orange, Springfield, Summit, East Orange and Elizabeth.
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.
For parents and guardians
Please complete one form for each child, each program year. You choose each permission separately, and you can change or withdraw consent at any time by emailing mi@millburninspire.org.
For students and parents
Tell us about your service with Millburn Inspire. Once a board member confirms your hours, a certificate is emailed to you and your parent or guardian.