Every month we round up 15 must-know charity events happening in New Jersey, and this March is no exception for inspiring acts of kindness you and your family can take part in. Take a break from the St. Paddy’s and Easter festivities and encourage your children to pay it forward – from an 80s-theme rock and bowl-a-thon for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and a puppy rescue adoption day to painting with a purpose for abused youth and hand-making fleece blankets for babies in need; this month’s charity events are inspiring and kid-friendly!
Charity Events in NJ You Need to Know About Right Now
1. Bubba Rose Biscuit Company’s Adoption Day + Easter Bunny Photos
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 12:00PM to 3:00PM
Celebrate Easter early with furry friends at Bubba Rose Biscuit Co. in Morristown. Bring your pet dog for a photo opp with the Easter Bunny, meet adorable adoptable pups, and don’t forget to pick up a few wholesome, artisanal crafted dog treats from the shop! This fun event is hosted by NorthStar Pet Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue organization based in Boonton, NJ. If you’re looking to add a four-legged member to your family, this event is a perfect way to meet one that may fit your family!
Bubba Rose Biscuit Co.
84 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: $10 donation
2. Fins Social Sunday for NJ Audobon
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Love brunch and mimosas? Put your money where your mouth is and help support Nature Center of Cape May; when you indulge in Fins Bar and Grille’s delicious brunch delights on March 4th, you are directly supporting NJ Audobon’s environmental conservation and education efforts. And who are we to say no to enjoying steak and eggs and Bloody Marys for a cause? Stop by if you’re in the mood for good food and good vibes.
Fins Bar & Grille
142 Decatur Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Cost: Whatever you purchase for food and drink
3. Bowl for Kids’ Sake
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 12:00PM
Bowl for more than just strikes at this 80s-themed rock party. Put on your loudest, wildest costumes and big hair, dig out those scrunchies because Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern NJ is sponsoring a rock and bowl-a-thon to help match children on the non-profit’s waiting list with qualified, trained mentors. Last year, the organization served an incredible 1,123 children! Pizza, soda, shoes, and fun will all be included in ticket price. Create a team, join a team individually, or be a virtual bowler!
333 US Highway 46, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046
Cost: $15 per participant, further fundraising encouraged
4. Second Annual Holi Festival
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 12:00PM to 2:00PM
Celebrate the arrival of spring with the Arboretum and The Indian American Association for the “festival of colors.” Signifying the victory of good over evil and the end of winter, your family will enjoy traditional dances and performances, hikes, and more at the Arboretum! Refreshments will be available for purchase. Proceeds go to supporting the Arboretum and its mission to foster and promote environmental awareness, education, and stewardship within the greater community.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Drive S, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Cost: $8
5. Seeing Eye Night with the New Jersey Devils
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 3:30PM to 8:00PM
Sports and pups? Sign us up. Take the kids to a night on the ice to cheer on the New Jersey Devils and meet some puppies. The Seeing Eye and New Jersey Devils are teaming up for a fun evening of hockey; a portion of every ticket sold will support The Seeing Eye, which is the oldest guide dog school in the world and has partnered with people who are blind who seek to enhance their independence, dignity, and self-confidence through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs. Game starts at 5:00PM; doors open at 3:30PM.
Prudential Center
25 Lafayette St, Newark, NJ 07102
Cost: prices vary by seat options starting at $47
6. Enrichment Clubs by TRUE Mentors
Tuesday, March 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2018 | 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Every Tuesday evening, TRUE Mentors offers free weekly enrichment programs for the children of Boys and Girls Club of Hoboken. You can sign up to volunteer to help children explore new topics, build character, and form friendships. Art, science, cooking and more are among the different enrichment topics available for children. Sign up to be a volunteer here.
Boys and Girls Club of Hoboken
123 Jefferson Street, Hoboken NJ, 07030
Cost: Free Admission
7. Spring & Easter Mini Photo Session
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Get your spring family portraits done and make it worth your while – Jennifer Mount Photography will click away to support Home for Good Dog Rescue Foundation. When you select to do pet, children or family portraits, 100% of proceeds will benefit saving the lives of dogs. Each session will be 5-7 minutes and you can choose from spring or Easter theme.
Home For Good Dog Rescue
465 Springfield Ave, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Cost: Pet Portraits $25, Children or Family (including humans) $50
8. 3rd Annual KiDz HuB Awards Gala
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 | 7:00PM to 9:00PM
You’re looking at a red-carpet night that you can bring the whole family to. This annual fundraising gala hosted by KiDz HuB Media Network, a non-profit organization whose mission is to mentor youth as junior broadcasters, will support its international broadcast projects. This year’s proceeds will fund its Penn Relays Project, as their Jamaica Junior Broadcasters travel from Jamaica to the USA to cover the Penn Relays LIVE in Philadephia, Pennsylvania. With an ever-increasing importance of our youth’s voices on matters in society today, we think this organization is an especially significant one to support.
Club Metro USA of Old Bridge
2685 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Cost: $75 early bird adult ticket/general admission kid ticket, $100 general admission adult
9. Blankets for Babies Family Event
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | 7:00PM to 10:00PM
Are you and your kids the crafty kinds? Help make adorable fleece blankets with your family to keep babies in need warm. The Christ Child Society of Summit’s event will teach simple fringing and tying of baby blankets. All materials are provided and donations of new baby clothes (sizes newborn to 3 months) are appreciated.
Summit Elks Lodge
40 Maple Street, Summit, NJ 07901
Cost: Free
10. Painting It Forward for Visions & Pathways
Friday, March 23, 2018 | 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Join in on this fun paint and sip class with an extra dose of heart and soul. This class will teach how to paint a piece inspired by the bright, beautiful colors in the Northwest. All proceeds from this Paint It Forward class at Pinot’s Palette in Morristown will go towards Visions & Pathways, which provides a safe haven for abused, homeless, and missing youth and helps to protect victims of human trafficking.
Pinot’s Palette
40 Market Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: $45
11. Feed the Homeless for Easter
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Help serve hot meals for the homeless at Peter Francisco Park in Newark just in time for Easter with B About It Cares. You can also round up your kids to help make toiletry bags to bring to the event – fill them up soap, socks, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. If you can’t make it to the event, you can still make a difference by making a monetary donation for food and toiletries here.
Peter Francisco Park
106 Ferry St, Newark, NJ 07105
Cost: Free
12. 2018 GirlTrek Season Kick-Off
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 12:00PM to 3:00PM
New Jersey Soul Sistahs is hosting an energizing Zumba session – it will do more than just get your feet moving; the wheels in your mind will be spinning because this interactive, informative event is the kick-off to the 2018 season of GirlTrek, which inspires black women to change their lives and communities through walking and a healthy lifestyle. GirlTrek is the largest public health non-profit organization for African-American girls and women in the United States. You’ll dance to heart-pumping rhythms while learning more about GirlTrek’s mission, health, wellness, and nutrition.
31 Mulberry St, Newark, NJ 07102
Cost: Free
13. Empty Bowls 2018
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 5:00PM to 8:00PM
Be a soup-er hero and help Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission and Rise Food Pantry fight hunger. This nourishing event is part of Empty Bowls, an international artist grassroots effort to raise money in the fight to end hunger. Guests choose a bowl handmade by a local artist to fill with unlimited soup donated by area eateries, and keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. In exchange for the meal and keepsake bowl, guests contribute a donation to the Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission and the local Rise Food Pantry. Sign up here.
Peddie School – Cafeteria
201 S Main St., Hightstown, NJ 08520
Cost: $35 for one bowl; $70 for two bowls; $105 for three bowls; $140 for four bowls
14. 13th Annual Sharing Hope Dinner Dance
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 7:00PM to 11:30PM
Dance like nobody’s watching because this spirited night of hope and dance supports Kisses for Kyle Foundation, which serves local New Jersey children battling cancer with a focus on those with brain tumors. The semi-formal dinner dance will include hot appetizers, a family-style dinner, dessert, dancing and DJ, and prize auctions. 100% of the profits raised from this event will be donated to Kisses for Kyle Foundation.
Maggiano’s Cherry Hill
2000 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Cost: Early bird pricing: $55 per person, $25 for child (ages 3-11)
Regular pricing after March 10th: $65 per person, $30 for child (ages 3-11)
15. Feed Your Spring Soul
Monday, March 26, 2018 | 6:30PM to 9:00PM
Stuff your belly and your soul with delicious eats from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen. Renowned culinary chefs Diane Henderiks and Bill Telepan will be preparing appetizers and a five-course dinner. The JBJ Soul Foundation works towards ending hunger through community involvement – you can’t go wrong with this all-star culinary cause.
JBJ Soul Kitchen
1769 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
Cost: $150
