Patch Picks: Five Nonprofit Organizations

1. —This national service club, which goes by the motto "service above self," consists of local business and professional leaders who give back their time to help the community. In 2010, Rotary Club of Gloucester Township celebrated 50 years of service. Locally, the club has done a tremendous amount for the community, including funding scholarships, but most notably raising money to build the Gloucester Township-Blackwood Rotary Public Library decades ago. Last month, the club held its 2nd annual Beef & Beer Comedy Night, with proceeds from the event supporting the Gloucester Township Rotary Foundation. The club holds weekly meetings at Bensi Ristorante Italiano.

2. Gloucester Township Baseball—Spring is near and it's time to play ball! GT Baseball, a Babe Ruth organization, includes leagues for various age groups. There's a senior division for high-school and middle-school students, ages 13 to 16. The major division allows ages 11 to 12 to compete, and for the younger crowd, the minors division is set up to learn the fundamentals of baseball. There's one last chance to sign up—final GT baseball registration will take place Feb. 20 at the municipal building.

3. Mainstage Center for the Arts—Dubbed as "one of the best performing arts centers in South Jersey," Mainstage is a member of the South Jersey Cultural Association, a nonprofit organization. Located on the Blackwood campus of Camden County College, this performing arts center thrives with dramatic performances, workshops, classes and a summer camp for children. Upcoming shows for the season includes The Diary of Anne Frank (three more shows this weekend), You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (running April 29-30 and May 1) and Hairspray in July.

4. Camden County Animal Shelter—Located on Barnsboro Road in Blackwood, this nonprofit organization is a loving environment for the stray and unwanted animals in the county. Open seven days a week, the animal shelter also provides spay/neuter clinics, various animal testing and other services. If you're an animal lover, you can volunteer and help out. On Saturday, Feb. 19, CCAS will host a Mardi Gras dinner and dancing fundraiser. Check out the shelter website for tickets.

5. Camden-Gloucester Junior Chamber (JAYCEES)—This nonprofit organization allows adults ages 18-41 the chance to improve their leadership skills. JAYCEES promotes individual training and management skills and helps members achieve their goals. They also give back to the community. The Camden-Gloucester branch raised more than $4,000 last year for the Haiti relief efforts and took part in Relay for Life last April. JAYCEES are always looking for new members to join. Their meetings are held at the Terrestrial Club House on Fox Meadow Drive in Sicklerville.