We’ve found inspiring acts of kindness for you and your family to participate in this December around New Jersey. From fun runs to days of service, join in on these events and festivities that encourage your children to pay it forward.
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are some of our favorite charities in NJ to give back to this December:
Holiday Bazaar Fund Raiser for Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary
December 1, 11AM – 8PM
Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary hosts a day filled with wonderful crafts and specialty items like the Boxwood Centerpiece handmade by wildlife volunteers for the holiday season. Celebrate the holiday season and support the Sanctuary’s mission to rehabilitate wildlife with Franky Banky Holiday Cookies, a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and shopping.
Frelinghuysen Forest Preserve, 139 Lincoln Laurel Road Blairstown NJ
Cost: free
Santa Paws at The Asbury Hotel
December 2, 11AM – 2PM and 2PM – 4PM
Santa Paws will be at The Asbury Hotel, supporting the animals of Rescue Ridge. Photos are a $10 donation, which goes to the animals and shelter.
210 5th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: $10
10th Annual Winter Wonderland
December 6, 5PM – 7:30PM
At the 10th Annual Winter Wonderland, you can purchase tricky tray tickets to bid on various baskets, prizes and experiences, and bid on autographed sports memorabilia and electronics at the silent auction. All event proceeds benefit Feed The Children and the Rutherford Food Pantry. Bonus: complimentary beer, wine, and food will be served. The event kindly asks you to bring a non-perishable food item for The Rutherford Food Pantry.
Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, 801 Rutherford Ave, Rutherford, NJ
Cost: free
Stuff the Bus Holiday Drive
December 7, 10AM – 4PM
Drop by any Monmouth County Brandywine with new unwrapped toys or gift cards($10) for local children in need. All gifts will be distributed through Daniela’s Wish for the holidays. Enjoy a hot chocolate bar and fresh baked cookies when you stop by with your gift – a fun, heart-warming way to give back with the family.
Brandywine Living at Governor’s Crossing, 49 Lasatta Avenue, Englishtown, NJ
Cost: free
The Jingle Bell Jog
December 8, 9AM – 11PM (Rain Date: December 9)
Walk, jog, run, or stroll on the beautiful pathway around the lake at the Jingle Bell Jog. Get a jingle bell for each lap you complete so you can enjoy the jingle getting louder and louder throughout the event. This event will be accepting Operation Warm Heart donations such as gently used or new hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, coffee and tea, laundry pods, sewing supplies, disposable/unopened tableware, and bottled water. In addition, the event will be accepting Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption donations including canned dog and cat food (no Alpo or Pedigree please), cat and dog treats, and rugged toys.
Nomahegan Park, Cranford, NJ
Cost: $5+
The Three Doctors Foundation Holiday Health Basketball Benefit
December 8, 1PM – 3PM
The Three Doctors Foundation Holiday Health Basketball benefit features live entertainment, giveaways, and a friendly game of basketball comprised of The Three Doctors and foundation supporters. All attendees are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped gifts to benefit foster families in need.
Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Ave, Somerset, NJ
Cost: free
A Day of Holiday Service
December 8, 2PM – 5PM
Spread holiday cheer by decorating Christmas cookies, writing cheerful messages of encouragement, and assembling hygiene kits to benefit Arm In Arm & RISE families. This is a great way to make new friends and get to know other communities’ members. Participants are encouraged to bring personal care items to the event such as lotion, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, laundry soap, feminine products, baby diapers, and wipes.
Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, 154 South Mill Road, West Windsor Township, NJ
Cost: free
MyGOAL 2018 Holiday Party for Individuals With Autism and Their Families
December 9, 3PM – 6PM
MyGOAL cordially invites you and your family to the 2018 Annual Family Holiday Party. It’s a chance to visit with Santa Claus, enjoy toys for kids, and holiday arts and crafts.
Saint Peter’s University Hospital Ground Floor, 254 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free (This Event is ONLY for individuals and families facing Autism)
Jaws Bike Drive
December 13, 3PM – 6PM
There is so much joy seeing a child get their first bike! That’s Why Ron Jaworski & his foundation Jaws Youth Playbook are teaming up to give kids from the Camden Kroc Center the freedom that a bike brings. The pride of owning a bike encourages lifelong habits of exercise, outdoor activity and independence. Make a donation towards a purchase of 300 bikes and bring smiles to these children’s faces. A hundred volunteers and staff will come together on December 13, to assemble and distribute bikes at the Salvation Army.
1865 Harrison Ave, Camden, NJ
Cost: $5 – $50
Peppermint, Presents and Paws
December 13, 6PM – 8:30PM
Join J & Co Dog Rescue for a unique holiday shopping experience to support their mission. This shopping event features unique local artisans and crafters, raffles, a holiday bake sale to benefit the pups, meet and greet opportunities with dogs up for adoption, and a mini psychic reading. Grab the peppermint and meet the pups!
Brandywine Living at Haddonfield, 132 Warwick Road, Haddonfield, NJ
Cost: free
Metuchen Cookie Walk
December 15, 8AM – 1PM
The Metuchen Cookie Walk started in 2015 with a simple premise: bake, buy, give. Local residents bake thousands of cookies which are then sold at the Cookie Walk, in boxes of two sizes: small($10) or large($20). In 2017, over 14,000 homemade cookies were donated, raising over $8,100 for the Fuccile Foundation and local families in need. In 2018, the Metuchen Cookie Walk will collect non-perishable food donations for the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen’s FPC Food Pantry. Whether you’re baking or buying, it’s time to celebrate homemade cookies and give back at the Cookie Walk.
270 Woodbridge Ave, Metuchen, NJ
Cost: $10 or $20
Breakfast with Santa
December 15, 8AM – 10PM
The Raritan Valley Mothers of Multiples organization is proud to be sponsoring a Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy breakfast with your family and a photo opportunity with Santa. A portion of the proceeds will go to a family with multiples from the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. Bonus: every child goes home with a gift.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 315 U.S. 206, Hillsborough Township, NJ
Cost: $12
SCANJ Holiday Party North with Kenta Klaus
December 15, 3PM – 5PM
Kenta Klaus invites you to The Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey’s 8th Annual Holiday Party. This event is free for families affected by sickle cell disease. All other guests are “merrymakers” by making a donation. Enjoy festive holiday games, caroling, Toyland, delicious treats, gifts for young and old, and a special appearance by Kenta Klaus…Santa’s brother from another mother.
Van Vleck House, 21 Van Vleck St, Montclair, NJ
Cost: free
Lights and Carols for a ‘Claus
December 16, 7PM – 8PM
The Lantosca Family invites the community to enjoy their incredible lights display to kick off the holiday season. In addition to the lights and decorations on the front lawn, there’s live music and Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be visiting all the way from the North Pole. This free event asks that you support Pediatric Services at CentraState Healthcare System by making a donation in person or online.
43 Heather Drive, Manalapan, NJ
Cost: free
Christmas in the Community
December 22, 2PM – 6PM
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Where All the Light Travels(WALT) presents the 1st Annual Holiday Drive. WALT is collecting new unwrapped toys, clothes, electronics, and nonperishable food items as well as monetary donations. All proceeds will be given out on Saturday, December 22nd at the American Legion in Lakewood, NJ.
American Legion Post 166, 1256 River Avenue, Lakewood Township, NJ
Cost: free
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
