Tis the season to show your kids the joy of helping others and our communities with simple acts of kindness. Jingle all the way to a cure for arthritis at the Jingle Bell Run, assemble care packages for those in need at A Day of Holiday Service and shop for a cause at the Hoboken Holiday Market.
How are you paying it forward this holiday season? Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
featured image via Asbury Park Santa Run
Oh, what fun it is to give back this December at these NJ charity events:
Asbury Park Santa Run
December 7, 10 AM-1PM
Ho Ho Ho! Back in its fourth year, this popular event features thousands of Santas running through the streets of Asbury Park in support of Lunch Break, a charity that provides food, clothing and life skills to those in need. Support the event by entering and dressing up like the big guy–kids can dress up too while they cheer on the Santas that whiz by them. If you can get kid coverage, there’s a special adults-only after-party performance from Brian Kirk & the Jirks at The Stone Pony.
Race starts at The Stone Pony; 913 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: $29.95-39.95
Stuff The Bus Toy Drive
December 7, 10AM-2PM
Teach your kids the gift of giving by delivering new and unwrapped toys until December 7 to any of the Monmouth County Brandywine Living locations. All gifts will be distributed to Daniela’s Wish, a charity that seeks to help children with items of comfort or need to get through sadness or a tragedy. On the last day, bring the kids to celebrate a successful Toy Drive with a delicious hot chocolate bar and tasty goodies.
Brandywine Living at Reflections; 1594 New Jersey 88, Brick Township, NJ 08724
Cost: free
Holiday Bazaar Fund Raiser for Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary
December 7, 11AM – 8PM
Spend the day shopping and supporting wildlife when you stop by this festive market. Don’t miss the handmade boxwood centerpieces and seasonal crafts—every time you buy, you’ll be supporting Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary and its mission to rehabilitate wildlife. Indulge in delicious treats like Franky Banky Holiday Cookies, snap a few for the ‘gram when the littles visit with the Clauses and pick up some gifts for your furry family members at the pet-friendly vendors.
Frelinghuysen Forest Preserve, 139 Lincoln Laurel Road, Blairstown NJ
Cost: free
A Day of Holiday Service
December 7, 3PM – 5PM
Spread holiday cheer and instill in your kids that it’s the little things that count, when you spend an afternoon helping out 3 charities including Arm In Arm, TASK Families and Children’s Hospital. You and the kids can write holiday greeting cards, pack hygiene kits and wrap up children’s books to be donated. Don’t forget to bring personal care donation to include in the hygiene kits (a list of items needed is here). After, celebrate all your good work with fun: Kids can dance to live music, get their face painted and make crafts from different faiths and cultural traditions.
Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, 154 South Mill Road, West Windsor Township, NJ
Cost: free
Jingle All The Way 3K
December 8, 8AM-7:30PM
It’s the most RUNderful time of the year! Head to the SONJ Sports Complex for this stroller-friendly (yup, you read that right) 3K that benefits the athletes of the Special Olympics of NJ. Jinglers, aka racers, bundle up and either walk, run or jog through the jolly outdoor course.After, join the celebrations in the complex at a huge, family-friendly, post-race party.
SONJ Sports Complex; 1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
Cost: $30 for adults, $15 for children age 10 and under
Jingle Bell Run
December 8, 8AM
Get your jingle on at a holiday fun-run supporting the The Arthritis Foundation. Have the whole fam don their merriest apparel and strut your stuff as you walk or run the 5K. Feel good about doing good, and help jingle all the way to a cure–100% of your registration fee goes straight to the foundation, which helps to raise funds and awareness about this crippling disease.
Passaic County Technical Institute, 45 Reinhardt Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470
Cost: $40 for adults, $20 for children age 12 and under
6th Annual Festival of Trees Charity Fundraiser
December 13, 4PM-9:30PM
Come “vote” on your favorite tree at this joyous festival. Over 30 local charities including A Feed We Need, Interfaith Hospitality Network and The Salvation Army Ocean County are participating by decorating a tree for the display. Peruse them all, then make a cash donation towards your favorite, which will be counted as your vote and collected by the charity. Beyond the tree display, the whole fam will have a blast watching a Shrek The Halls movie marathon, making crafts, decorating gingerbread houses and listening to the sounds of the season from Garden State Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Toms River Elks Lodge #1875; 600 Washington St., Toms River, New Jersey, 08753
Cost: free admission
Hoboken Holiday Market
December 17, 5:30PM-9PM
Spend a Tuesday night shopping unique gift items from 20 local designers, artisans, and shops at the Hoboken Holiday Market at Birch. While you shop, send the kids down to the first floor to indulge in holiday festivities and treats (lots of gingerbread, eggnog, and candy cane- yum!}. Ticket proceeds go to supporting the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Core, which serves the community by providing emergency care.
Birch Hoboken; 92 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Cost: $10
