10 Must-Know NJ Charity Events This March

March is (almost) here and while we’re welcoming a change of season (hello spring!), we’re also finding inspiring ways to give back this month. From a game of bowling at Bowl for Kids’ Sake to a St. Paddy’s Day Plunge that supports a food pantry to the Belmar Beach Cleanup that preserves our shoreline, there are so many events to pay it forward this month.

Psst! How are you paying it forward this February? Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.

Here are 10 must-know NJ charity events this March: 

Frances Foundation iPlay America FunFest 2020
March 1, 9:30AM – 12:30PM
Start the day with play, beginning with a full buffet breakfast and then hit the iPlay for two hours before the park opens to the public. Kids will be thrilled to ride the Happy Swing, Freedom Rider and other amusements as well as take their chances with a $5 game card that’s part of the Thrill Group Package (included in the cost).  All money raised goes to support the Frances Foundation, an organization that brings smiles to kids fighting cancer.
iPlay America – Freehold
110 Schanck Road, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $35, Free for FF Warriors and their Families

37th Annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake
March 6, 7, 8 & 13
Lace-up those shoes and get to the lanes: This annual family-friendly event is all about having fun to helps kids and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern NJ. Make a team and raise funds with friends and family—the money you raise goes to support their one-on-one mentoring programs.
Friday, March 6, 6-8 pm @ Shore Lanes in Neptune
Saturday, March 7, 11 am-1 pm @ Brunswick Zone in Hazlet
Sunday, March 8, 2-4 pm @ The Lanes at Sea Girt
Friday, March 13, 6-8 pm @ Hanover Lanes in East Hanover
Cost: Varies per fundraising goal

Carney’s St Paddy’s Plunge & 5K
March 14, 11AM – 1PM
Celebrate St. Patrick’s day and do some good too: Take the plunge, run the 5K or cheer on the participants in this rousing morning that benefits the Cape May Food Closet. Right after, spend the rest of the day celebrating at Carney’s, which will have a ton of Irish-themed family fun, including bagpipe players, face painters, balloonists, magicians, live bands, a DJ and all the St. Paddy’s Day food you can eat.
411 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ
Cost: $30 – $50

37th Annual Norma & Ralph Lamo Daisy Breakfast
March 15, 8AM – 12PM
Get the crew up early and head to this annual breakfast that will feature a DJ, 50/50 raffle, games and lots of yummy breakfast foods. All proceeds benefit the Daisy Foundation, which provides recreational programming for children and young adults with special needs.
Hilton East Brunswick Hotel
3 Tower Center Blvd, East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $15 adults, $5 Kids

4th Annual Bark N’ Bowl
March 15, 12PM – 3PM
Roll the afternoon away and help out furry friends at this event, which supports the Animal Adoption Center. In addition to the unlimited bowling, there will be plenty of food (with a dessert table—yum) and a chance to win a big-screen TV.
Pinsetter Bar and Bowl
7111 Maple Ave, Merchantville, NJ
Cost: Registration for adults is $35, kids 12 and under are $20 and for our youngest bowlers, kids 5 and under are FREE

Belmar Beach Cleanup
March 21, 10AM – 12PM
Set a good example, and preserve the environment, by pitching in during the Surfrider Foundation beach cleanup. You can bring the littles—all ages are welcome—to show how we can help make our beaches better for future generations. Don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves and dress for the cool weather.
601 Main St
Belmar, NJ
Cost: Free

EarthShare New Jersey Rocks
March 21, 6:30PM – 11PM
Book that sitter and get ready to rock for a cleaner, greener and healthier New Jersey. Join shore favorite bands like The Dirty Shine, Free Pass, Jump Back, and White Lightning! for an evening of great music, food and drinks to benefit 18 of NJ’s environmental non-profits. While you dance the night away, you’ll be making a difference: Proceeds of this concert directly go to the programs and services of EarthShare New Jersey’s non-profit members.
Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: $12 – $25

Main Street Donuts- Donut Chase 5K
March 22, 9:30AM
Love donuts? If your family can’t get enough, then this event is for you—the Donut Chase 5K is a relatively flat path and will have donuts waiting for you at the finish line. Everyone can take part (that means strollers, runners, walkers and pets are welcome), and there’s also a “Donut Dash 100 Meter Run” for littles. And the best part (besides the donuts)? All funds raised will benefit Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth.
Wall Recreation
2700 Allaire Rd, Wall, NJ
Cost: $10 – $40

Sparta Special Olympics Spring Vendor & Craft Fair
March 28, 10AM – 3PM
Plan to bring the whole crew and spend the day at this fun family festival that supports Special Olympics. Littles will love the face painting, music, mini painting lessons and Bulldog kissing booth, and you’ll love shopping from over 80 vendors (a portion of the proceeds goes towards Special Olympics). Don’t miss meeting the amazing Athletes of Determination and wish them luck for the 2020 season.
Sparta High School
70 W Mountain Rd, Sparta, NJ
Cost: Free

Hoboken Girl’s Formalwear Drive + Community Sale for Suits for Success
March 28, 11AM – 3PM
If spring cleaning has you purging your closet Marie Kondo-style, you probably have dresses and formal wear to give away. Fortunately, Hoboken Girl Helps’ fourth annual Prom and Formalwear Dress Drive wants to take those items off your hands — all for a good cause. You can drop off your goods before the event and then plan to shop the day away (new and gently used formal wear, new beauty products and jewelry will be for sale) to benefit Suits for Success, a non-profit that helps adults find jobs.
124 Grand Street First Floor, Hoboken, NJ