We’ve found inspiring acts of kindness for you and your family to participate in this August around New Jersey. Join in on these events and festivities that encourage your children to pay it forward!
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
15 Must-Know NJ Charity Events This August:
1. School Supply Drive
August 1 – 8, 9AM – 5PM
Back to school is a chance to give back in East Brunswick. The township is collecting backpacks and school supplies to distribute to East Brunswick Public Schools students who are in need of back-to-school items. Supplies may be delivered to the EB Recreation Coordinator’s office at 334 Dunhams Corner Road, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM through August 8th. Check their website for items being collected including a wide range of school supplies.
East Brunswick Recreation
334 Dunhams Corner Rd, East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free
2. 2018 NJ Hunger Project
Saturday August 4, 9AM – 2PM
The ONE Project’s goal is for community volunteers from different cultures and backgrounds to come together to package at least 125,000 meals that will be donated to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. The nutritious, non-perishable lentil casserole meals will be used to help bridge the hunger gap in the community. It’s an active project so you and your kids won’t be sitting still, and you’ll be giving back.
Robbinsville High School
155 Robbinsville Edinburg Road, Robbinsville, NJ
Cost: Free, Register in advance
3. Wall PBA Pignic 2018
Saturday August 4, 12PM – 6PM
With your ticket, you have access to a pig roast, unlimited food, beer, ice cream, and desserts. Sip your favorite pilsner while the kids hang out by the pool, ride ponies, or play in the bounce house. Have fun and know that your admission is being donated to two amazing causes: The Samaritan Center and The Special Olympics.
Pine Grove Day Camp (Official)
4010 Herbertsville Rd, Allenwood, NJ
Cost: $30 adults, $15 kids
4. Kortney’s Challenge & Food Bank Day
Sunday August 5, 8:30AM – 5:30PM
There’s no better way to start your week than supporting a foundation inspired by a young girl with pediatric brain cancer. The Kortney Rose Foundation seeks to find a cure for this cancer and needs your help. Starting at 8:30AM, join the community for Kortney’s Challenge 2-mile Fun Run/Walk through scenic Oceanport. Afterwards, hang out in the private picnic area with food, drinks, and a race program.
Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: $25, kids under 12 are free
5. Lavallette Breast Cancer Walk
Sunday August 5, 8:30AM – 11:30AM
Beginning at The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, the beach town will host its 14th Annual 2-Mile Breast Cancer Walk, “Together, We Can Lick This.” Registration includes a PINK event t-shirt, water bottle and free ice cream from one of Lavallette’s most musical spots.
The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe
2305 Grand Central Ave, Lavallette, NJ
Cost: $25.00 per participant
6. Night Out Against Crime/Kids Day/Meet & Greet Public Works Dept.
Tuesday August 7, 6PM – 9PM
The Brick Township Police Department and the Department of Public Works will display equipment and host demonstrations to show how these departments are working to make our community safer and cleaner. Bonus: kids can climb and play on township vehicles including a brush truck, tow truck, recycling truck, mini excavator, and more.
Windward Beach Park
Brick Township, NJ
Cost: Free
7. National Night Out
Tuesday August 7, 6PM – 8:30PM
This event is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. After the event, Movie Night in the Park starts at 8:30PM. Grab your blanket and chairs for a screening of Coco.
Mountainview Park
Middlesex, New Jersey
Cost: Free
8. Sunset Seining
Wednesday August 8, 6PM – 8PM
Calling all future marine biologists and seafarers! Discover the diverse wildlife inhabiting our coast at Gateway National Recreation Area. After a short talk on the Society’s front porch, you will drive to Horseshoe Cove on Sandy Hook Bay for a seining adventure. Participants are invited to help pull a 40-ft. seine net through the bay while learning about the fish and other critters caught. Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
Gateway N R A
Highlands, NJ
Cost: $5
9. Your First Mud Run
Sunday August 12, at 10AM
Your First Mud Run is a mud race for the whole family, held at Garret Mountain. This is the only event in the country designed so kids and adults can race together through 8-12 obstacles. Anyone age 5 and up can run. Donations are contributed to The Zentai Foundation, a non-profit organization with the goal of supporting families in physical, emotional, social and intellectual development. It’s time to get muddy!
Garret Mountain Reservation
1 Valley Rd, Woodland Park, NJ
Cost: $47.50+
10. Chester Food Truck & Music Festival
Saturday August 18, 11AM – 7PM
Enjoy live music and lots of good eats at the Chester Food Truck and Music Festival. This fun-filled family day raises money for the Chester First Aid Squad and the Chester/Mendham Food Pantry. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, pups and blankets.
Municipal Field
134 Main St, Chester, New Jersey
Cost: $5, Kids Under are Free
11. Jamaican Jerk Festival
Saturday August 18, 12PM – 6PM
The White House Foundation Inc in partnership with Simply Jerk™ Jamaican Grill will be hosting the first annual Jamaican Jerk Festival. All proceeds will provide food for homeless shelters as well as educational resources for students in Jamaica. You and the family can chow down on authentic Jamaican cusine and listen to live reggae music and entertainment. The kids will love the henna tattoos and face-painting.
Woodlot Park
124 New Rd. Monmouth Junction, NJ
Cost: Free
12. Harmony Concert 2018
Thursday August 23, 7PM – 9PM
The Harmony Concert is a benefit show where talented teens will do it all –– singing and dancing performances, stage crew, crafts, and a bake sale –– to raise money for the COPE Center. The COPE Center provides mental health and counseling services in the community. In Harmony Montclair is a New Jersey-based group that raises funds and awareness for local charities by organizing teen talent showcases and other events. This group hopes to show your family that teens can make a difference in their community. All proceeds will go to the COPE Center.
Central Presbyterian Church
46 Park St, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $10. Kids under 4 are free
13. Morristown Food Truck Fest
Saturday August 25, 11AM – 7PM
Enjoy a meal, listen to live music, play games, and support the Homeless Solutions of Morristown. The kids will have dozens of options to choose from including pierogis, kielbasa, tex mex, thai food, crepes, crab cakes, cupcakes, pizza, doughnuts, and so much more.
49 Woodland Ave, Morristown, NJ
Cost: $10 (Cash or Check Only), $5 Kids Under 10
14. JDRF/FARE Crab Race
Saturday August 25, at 5PM (rain date August 26th)
On the last Saturday of the month, your kids can race plastic crabs at Breakwater Beach Waterpark in Seaside Heights. The crabs are released into the Revolutionary River in a race to benefit Juvenile Diabetes and Food Allergy Research Education. The winning crab gets $100 and 10 All-Day Passes to Breakwater Beach for the 2019 season. But lots of other crabs will get prizes too! All proceeds from the event go directly to JDRF and FARE in hopes of finding a cure for these diseases.
Breakwater Beach Waterpark
62 Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ
Cost: Crabs are $5 each
15. Michael’s Feat ‘A Day at the Races’ Summer Picnic
Sunday August 26, 11:30AM – 3PM
Your kids will go crazy for pony rides, a bounce house, clowns, and face painting at Monmouth Park Racetrack. Michael’s Feat will be hosting their 18th annual BBQ to raise money for seriously ill newborns. Tickets include a BBQ lunch, kids activities, beer, and admission to Monmouth Park racing. Tickets purchased prior to August 11th receive a free t-shirt AND beer mug.
Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: $35, $12 kids 4-12, 3 and under are free
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- Top Summer Day Camps in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
