If you’ve been thinking about ways to give back, why not join a charity event this January, where the whole family can participate and start the new year off right? Join hundreds of thousands of Americans nationwide in remembering and memorializing Dr. King by participating in activities to support the local community at the Volunteer Center of Burlington County’s 20th Annual MLK Day Challenge in Westampton, jump in the ocean to help benefit the Special Olympics New Jersey at the 2026 Polar Bear Plunge in Wildwood, or help restore native habitat for birds and other wildlife and make space for future native plantings at A Day of Service In Nature in Princeton. Want to know more about NJ charities that will put you in the giving spirit? Find one near you with our charity guide. (featured photo credit: iStock/Bastiaan Slabbers)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
2026 Polar Bear Plunge at Wildwood
January 17 at 10 AM
Support the Special Olympics New Jersey at this fun event. This is more than just a cold dip into the ocean—it’s a way to bond as a family, all for a fantastic cause.
Cost: $25 per person
Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
LADACIN Plunge 2026
January 17 at 10:30 AM
Get ready to jump into the freezing ocean—all for a good cause. Bring the entire family and take a dip to support this organization that supports people with disabilities. Then, head to Leggett’s Sand Bar and Restaurant for the after-party, which includes prizes, food, and drinks for the adults. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Cost: $25 per person
Leggett’s Sand Bar and Restaurant, 217 First Avenue, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Winter Clean-Up: MLK Day of Service
January 18 at 9 AM
This day of service is an excellent opportunity to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by picking up litter and removing invasive shrubs and plants in the woods. They will provide work gloves, hand warmers, and tools. Make sure you dress for the weather and pack a snack and a drink.
Cost: Free
250 MacArthur Boulevard, Haddon Township, NJ 08033
Volunteer Center of Burlington County’s 20th Annual MLK Day Challenge
January 19 at 10 AM
Burlington County residents can join hundreds of thousands of Americans nationwide in remembering and memorializing Dr. King by participating in activities such as collecting food for the Oaks Integrated Food Pantry, collecting animal supplies for the Burlington County Animal Shelter, and more.
Cost: Free
Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08036
A Day of Service In Nature
January 19 at 10 AM or 1 PM
Friends of Princeton Open Space, a nonprofit dedicated to land preservation, is hosting a Day of Service in Nature in honor of Dr. King at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton. Have the whole family join (a parent must accompany kids under 16) to help restore native habitat for birds and other wildlife and make space for future native plantings.
Cost: Free; complete a waiver form
Mountain Lake House Parking lot: 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540. Then, walk as a group to the project site.
MLK Day Poster-Making Workshop and Food Drive
January 19 at 1 PM
Join the Arts Council of Princeton as they celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, with a free poster-making workshop. The workshop is open to all ages, and they will provide the materials to create a poster highlighting civil justice. Please bring a non-perishable food item that will be made available in the Free Pantry.
Cost: Free
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Stockton University MLK Day of Service
January 19 at 9 AM
This event brings together over 500 students and community members to honor the legacy of Dr. King with a day of service. It encompasses 15 projects on- and off-campus in Galloway, Hammonton, Atlantic City, and Woodbine. Activities include clean-ups, food donations, card making, assembling crafts for nursing homes and hospitals, and more.
Cost: Free
Various locations in Atlantic County
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