We’ve found inspiring acts of kindness for you and your family to participate in this October around New Jersey. From cleaning up the ocean to fun runs, 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 15 must-know NJ charity events this October:
The Clean Ocean Action Open
October 7, 7AM – 4PM
The 2018 Open will offer surfers of all ages and levels an opportunity to participate in a fun day of competition alongside their favorite local pros. All proceeds from this event will go to Clean Ocean Action, an organization that has worked for 34 years to keep New Jersey’s beaches and ocean clean and safe for all to enjoy. The event will be followed by a beach sweep, a great way for all participants to join together and clean the shoreline.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: $50
The 18th Annual Miracle Walk
October 7, 9AM – 12PM
The 18th Annual Miracle Walk benefits the 56-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. The walk, held rain or shine, follows a scenic, stroller-friendly path around Verona Park. Donations to this event help support more than 1,100 infants cared for yearly in the NICU.
Verona Park
Verona, NJ
Cost: Varies
PowHER Sweat for Soul
October 11, 7PM – 8:30PM
Join Cheri’s Tribe, Alesha Courtney Fitness and PureFit Women as they PowHER Sweat to raise money for Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen. You’ll work out for 30 minutes, learn about natural solutions and safer beauty, eat, drink and shop – a fun G.N.O. that benefits a food pantry.
Alesha Courtney Fitness
Morganville, NJ
Cost: $20 suggested donation, RSVP required
Bark on the Banks
October 13, 7:30AM – 1PM
Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the Merlin’s KIDS family for the upcoming Merlin’s KIDS Bark on the Banks 5K Run/1K Walk/Run. These dogs are rescued from shelters and trained to service those in need including firefighters, children with autism and other special needs, veterans with PTSD, and victims of violence and abuse.
Buccleuch Park
New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $20+
Shoreline Heart Walk
October 13, 9AM – 1PM
With each step, you’re raising awareness, funds, and getting healthy for good with the American Heart Association. Join the Shoreline Heart Walk for a 1 or 3 mile walk on the boardwalk – and keep that heart rate up and going. Help fight heart disease and stroke with your time and donations.
Asbury Park Boardwalk
Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Varies
Pupstock
October 13, 12PM – 8PM
Five acres of fun, food, dogs and adoptions, Pupstock is a day dedicated to our four-legged friends and their parents to have fun. Join in on fun dog activity zones, adoptions, art, food trucks, and music to benefit Father John’s Animal House. Bonus: Yappy Hour goes on all day in the Biergarten for the grown-ups.
The Fields at Waterloo
Stanhope, NJ
Cost: Kids 10 & under are free, $15 in advance, $18 day of event
Sam Liss Memorial 5K to benefit Breaking the Chain
October 14, 8:30AM – 10:30AM
Breaking the Chain Through Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating child slavery in Ghana, Africa. This charity was started in 2006 by Evan Robbins with his students from Metuchen High School. All of their work is centered around the belief that every child, regardless of the social and economic conditions into which he or she is born, has the right to freedom and an education. Lace up your sneakers.
Metuchen High School,
Metuchen, NJ
Cost: $30
Halloween Family Fun Festival with 5K and Kids Fun Run
October 20, 8AM – 8PM
Help end childhood cancer at this special event: walk or run a 5K or Kids Fun Run, enjoy food trucks, live bands, 100 local vendors, face painting, kids entertainment, a bounce house, pumpkin decorating, and a movie night under the stars. The event benefits the Hugs for Brady Foundation, an organization whose goal is to raise funds to one day end childhood cancer.
Rowland Park
Cranbury, NJ
Cost: $5 donation per person
Clean Ocean Action’s Fall 2018 Beach Sweeps
October 20, 9AM – 12:30PM
Join thousands of volunteers at Clean Ocean Action’s Fall 2018 Beach Sweeps on Saturday, October 20th at over 60 NJ locations. Since launching the region’s first Beach Sweeps program in 1985, over 123,000 volunteers have participated and removed over 6.2 million pieces of debris from New Jersey’s beaches and waterways. If you love the beach, ya gotta help take care of it too.
18 Hartshorne Dr # 2,
Highlands, NJ
Cost: Free
Day of Dignity: Newark
October 20, 10AM – 4PM
This event is a day of service to the local Newark neighborhood, providing free meals, hygiene kits, winter clothing, back to school supplies, baby supplies, groceries and more to the community. A variety of free medical screenings, job training, healthcare information, public assistance programs and blood drive will take place as well. Give back to a local community.
Lincoln Park
Newark, NJ
Cost: Free
Family Fitness and Health Expo
October 20 10AM – 4PM, October 21, 11AM – 4PM
Does your family love fitness? It’s time to visit the Family Fitness and Health Expo which features fitness and wellness related vendors and displays. Watch the fashion show sponsored by Komen North Jersey that features courageous breast cancer survivors modeling the latest fashions from Macy’s, makeup by Sephora, and hairstyles by V&C Image Salon.
Newport Centre
Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
2nd Annual Stomp Out Child Abuse 5K & Family Fun Run/Walk 2018
October 21, 8AM – 2PM
Join your neighbors, community and friends for a fun-filled day and help raise awareness about child abuse and neglect in New Jersey. The Stomp Out Child Abuse 5K and Family Fun Run/Walk/Stroll will help raise funds for The Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center, whose mission is to develop community awareness and to support a coordinated response to child abuse. Join in after the walk/run for music, face painting, crafts, and other activities.
Thompson Park
Lincroft, NJ
Cost: Varies
Heroes for Kids Cancer 5K/Walk
October 21, 9AM – 12:30PM
You can walk or run, to be a hero for kids cancer. Your registration fee includes an event T-shirt, bounce house and balloon artist for the kids. If you can’t make the event, Heroes for Kids Cancer encourages you to make some noise and be a virtual hero – donate online.
Giralda Farms
Madison, NJ
Cost: Kids 10 & under are free (but DO need to be registered), $25
Super Hero Parade
October 21, 11AM – 3PM
The Super Hero Parade is a benefit for Michael’s Miracles that features “Trunk or Treating” a “Super Hero Pet Parade”, food trucks, games, and activities. Come dressed as your favorite superhero, prizes are given out for “Best Dressed Pet,” “Best Costume,” and ” Best Decorated Car.”
Duke Island Park
Bridgewater, NJ
Cost: $10 – $25
Newark Thrives! Citywide Lights On! Afterschool-Newark
October 27, 11AM – 3PM
Lights On! Afterschool is a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. This event will provide a space for Newark community organizations and program providers to promote youth services and recruit young people to their youth programs. Newark youth and families will engage in hands-on learning activities and fun workshops, receive free food and giveaways all while enjoying the amazing amenities of John F. Kenedy Recreation Center. That includes the gymnasium, activity rooms, and live entertainment from the Lights On! Youth Talent Spotlight Stage.
John F. Kennedy Recreation Center
Newark, 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.
