December 31, 2024 Year in Review

Dec 31

As the year comes to a close, the 2024 Executive Board wants to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your unwavering support and tireless efforts during a year that has been filled with unique challenges for us all. Together, we’ve shown that even in difficult times, our community can come together to create meaningful change and build a stronger future.

This year, the RDO made a real impact on the lives of our neighbors. Thanks to your dedication, we:

Pressured the Ringwood Borough Council to advertise Council, Planning and other important meetings on the town’s two electronic bulletin boards and best of all, we succeeded!
Improved Transparency in Ringwood by providing reminders and recaps of important Council and Planning Board Meetings
Held an Info Session for RDO Members so we could better understand the Benefits and Pitfalls of PILOT Agreements in light of the Redevelopment Plans for Fieldstone Plaza
Awarded our Annual Vivian Milligan Scholarship to Kate Rose, a Lakeland senior who demonstrated a commitment to environmental activism
Hosted a free Easter Egg Hunt for all local children, bringing fun and connection to families in our area
Cleaned Skylands Road on Caring for Ringwood Day, demonstrating our commitment to keeping Ringwood clean and beautiful
Volunteered with Rebuilding Together, helping low-income Ringwood homeowners live more safely in their homes
Created Blessings Baskets for the Center for Food Action, providing essential resources to families struggling with food insecurity and other hardships
Collected and Delivered Donations for the first responders fighting the West Milford wildfires
Handed out Candy at our Spooky Trunk for Ringwood Recreation’s Annual Trunk or Treat
Sent 4,500+ Postcards to the swing states of PA, MI and GA

These accomplishments are a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose. Thank YOU for being an integral part of these successes.

Community volunteerism is more important now than ever. In times of uncertainty, getting involved locally empowers us to create the changes we want to see and build resilience in our community. That’s why we’re calling on you to continue this important work in 2025. Let’s expand our efforts, deepen our impact, and inspire even more people to join us in making a difference.

Please join us, and bring a friend, at our January 23rd meeting at 7pm at the The Collective (153 Skylands Road) as we share ideas, discuss Project 2025, and brainstorm ways to protect ourselves from its most sweeping changes at the local level. Your voice and input are vital as we plan for the year ahead and continue to stand strong as a community. If you haven’t yet, please join or renew your RDO membership for 2025!

Thank you again for all you’ve done this year. Together we’ve made a difference—but as always, there’s still so much more to do. When we join forces, we’re more powerful, and we can achieve even greater things in the year ahead.

Here’s to a powerful and purposeful 2025!