West Bergen Mental Healthcare Volunteer Project

On Saturday September 16, 2006 the staff at JLDC rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to assist two very worthy organizations.

First was West Bergen Mental Healthcare Center in Ramsey NJ. Jacobsen's Designers Peter J. Kikot and Terry McMahon, in conjunction with Michael Tozzoli and Lee Schaeffer of WBMH, created a landscape plan suitable for the old Victorian home that had recently had its interior and exterior restored.

Over 30 JLDC staff volunteered their time; the company supported the project, lead by Peter, with trucks and equipment. Local suppliers supported the project with a variety of materials.

Below is a brief description of the services at WBMH.

West Bergen Mental Healthcare, a community mental health center,has been providing behavioral health services to members of the Bergen County community since 1963. Their programs include 12 specialty mental programs for children at the Center for Children and Youth, day treatment programs for individuals with severe mental illnesses as well as marital, family and individual counseling.

West Bergen is truly proud of their core belief: "Nobody is denied services at West Bergen because of the inability to pay." Through fund raising, generous community support and the efforts of many volunteers, West Bergen served more then 2000 people in 2006.

To learn more about West Bergen Mental Healthcare and its services, please visit their website at www.westbergen.org.

Gilda's Club Volunteer Project

The second project that ran simultaneously that beautiful September morning was at Gilda's Club of Hackensack, NJ. The design that Peter & Terry created was approved by the board in May of 2006 and Peter went right into trying to find the donated materials necessary to complete the project.

7 of Jacobsen's volunteers came from our Maintenance services Department and worked alongside 8 of Gilda's Garden Club Members to restore the beauty the garden once had.

Many local nurseries donated the plant materials and mulch needed to complete the project. It went off without a hitch. In less then 8 hours the entire garden received new life as did many of the determined survivors who assisted in the restoration project.

Here is a little background on Gilda's Club of Northern New Jersey.

Gilda's Club, named for Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live, was created because of her wish that no one face cancer alone. Gilda's Club is a community where men, women and children living with cancer can receive social and emotional support as a complement to their medical care. The program offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events completely free of charge.

Our "Garden Club" is one of the many activities we have for members that help provide relaxation as well as empowerment as they learn to live with cancer. To learn more about Gilda's Club and their services, please visit their website at www.gildasclubnj.org.

Jacobsen 4th of July Sports Float Wins First Place

Jacobsen was honored once again with a First Place trophy for float construction in the Ridgewood Fourth of July Parade. The Jacobsen staff has entered a float in four of the last five parades celebrating America Independence. This years float, once again pulled by our vintage 1948 Chevrolet Truck, was graciously awarded First Place for the First Time in five years.

Thanks to all who participated in the construction of the winning float. We are proud of all of our staff who come from no less then 8 other countries, but now call the beautiful United States of America their home.

Thank you also to the volunteer Fourth of July Committee whose tireless efforts allow us all to enjoy the day of Americas Independence.

Jacobsen salutes all of America's Hero's and we pray for the safe return of each and everyone of our service men and women around the world who are protecting our freedom.

God Bless America!

Jacobsen Proudly Accepts the Northern NJ Business Volunteer Councils Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award

Inspired by the vision of Peter J. Kikot and Theresa McMahon of Jacobsen Landscape and Children's Aid and Family Services of Ridgewood. Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction organized the transformation of an overgrown wooded lot into a beautiful outdoor retreat aptly named the Healing Garden. It is enjoyed by the patrons of Family Counseling Service of Ridgewood, the children and teens in the care of Children's Aid and Family Services and those living at Share, Inc. a senior residence. This project, which has an estimated value of $600,000, was made possible by the generous efforts of the Rotary Club of Ridgewood A.M., the NJ Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) the Puffin Foundation, the Family Counseling Service Auxiliary, the Paramus Rotary and numerous other private donors. With its lush plantings, outdoor patios, pond, labyrinth, gazebo and pergolas, the Healing Garden is truly an oasis of natural beauty and a tremendous gift to the community.

Jacobsen would like to thank the BVC for their recognition. Please be sure to check out their website for new volunteer opportunities NJBVC.

Healing Garden Dedication - September 11, 2005

Continuing with one of our Culture Principles of giving back to our community, Peter J. Kikot, Sales Manager for Jacobsen (PHOTO ABOVE LEFT) officially cut the ribbon, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, dedicating this tranquil oasis close to Downtown Ridgewood. This day was also enjoyed by Jeffrey Wells, Past President of The Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Club, David Pfund, Mayor of The Village of Ridgewood and Betty Wiest, Deputy Mayor of The Village of Ridgewood.

This ceremony marked the culmination of over three years of dedicated effort put forward by Jacobsen's own Peter J. Kikot. Peter led the committees from Jacobsen Landscape, The Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Club and Children's Aid & Family Services.

The Healing Garden, as it has come to be known, was designed and constructed for CAFS for the specific purpose of providing a quiet place for their clients to begin their counseling and rehabilitation.

The project was made possible through tireless fundraising efforts by Peter and his committee. Over $100,000.00 in cash was raised and over $200,000.00 in donated materials were collected and installed in a consistent 9 months of construction.

Everyone is encouraged to stop to take a peaceful walk through the garden. For more information about the organization's work, to make a donation to the project or to volunteer for a day, please visit the CAFSNJ Web site.

Jacobsen Celebrates Earth Day 2006

Jacobsen Landscape once again participated in this year's Earth Day Celebrations. We installed trees with the students of both Mahwah and Wyckoff Elementary Schools this past April.

If you would like your school to participate in Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebrations next year, please contact Peter Kikot at (201) 891-1199 Extension # 21, to schedule your schools event.

Jacobsen Wins ALCA Environmental Improvement Award

Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction is proud to announce yet another award of excellence in Environmental Improvement from PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network.

The Midland Park Veterans Park Project won in the Design Build Category taking home a Distinction Award.  The project was designed with the very specific needs of the Midland Park Veterans Park Committee. Jacobsen donated the design time for the project and were able to then bid on the public project for the Town of Midland Park.

Jacobsen then won the bid to install a large portion of the landscape project and also worked with other contractors that were awarded other aspects of the construction project.

Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction has been providing full landscape services to their clients since 1978 and has received multiple awards and recognition for their design-build accomplishments.  This project was designed by Terry McMahon, BSLA & Glenn H. Jacobsen, CLP & President of Jacobsen Landscape design & Construction.

PLANET'S Environmental Improvement Awards Program reflects the association's commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of our landscape.  The program is designed to reward landscape contracting professionals who execute quality landscaping projects.