We’ve found inspiring acts of kindness for you and your family to participate in this April around New Jersey. Join in on these events and festivities that encourage your children to pay it forward, and be sure to let us know if you attend. If you’re sharing on Instagram, be sure to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are 14 must-know NJ charity events this April:
4 Paws Sake Family Fun Fest
April 6, 11AM – 4PM
This is a dog-friendly event for well-behaved dogs on leashes (no retractable leashes). The 4 Paws Sake Family Fun Fest features live music, information on adoptable animals, microchipping, carnival games, face painting, a caricaturist, sand art, gift baskets, food trucks, and over 70 vendors. Stick around for the dog fashion show and Strutt Your Mutt contest. Proceeds from the event benefit Rescue Ridge, a non-profit, 11th-hour no-kill animal rescue group serving the Jersey Shore for the shelter, care and veterinary attention to the animals rescued by Rescue Ridge every year.
Allaire State Park, 4265 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, NJ
Cost: $5 per person (children 5 and under are free
2019 Barrels for Badges Wine & Food Truck Festival
April 6 & 7, 12PM – 6PM
Two popular events now held at one convenient location. Join thousands of your friends in wine tasting, delicious food trucks, vendors, a beer garden, cello bar, live music, a DJ and kids zone. Proceeds of the wine tasting benefit the Team Monroe Foundation.
Estates At Monroe, 1351 N Black Horse Pike, Williamstown, NJ
Cost: $1 entry to the festival, $15 for wine tasting with complimentary logo glass
COA’s 34th Annual Beach Sweeps
April 13, 9AM – 12:30PM
The Beach Sweeps occur at 60+ locations, primarily along the NJ shoreline. Volunteers gather from Raritan to Delaware Bays and along the ocean to clean beaches and waterways, as well as underwater sites. Participants collect and record valuable data about debris, which is presented in annual reports and used to advance federal, state, and local programs to reduce litter. Encourage your littles to pay it forward on the coast!
Participating NJ Beaches
Cost: free
11th Annual Collingswood Green Festival
April 13, 9AM – 2PM
Pay it forward by taking care of our Earth. Celebrate spring and all things green at Collingswood’s 11th Annual Green Festival. Enjoy local sustainable food, organic gardening, water conservation, renewable energy, environmentally-friendly construction, and more. Your family can learn about smart green living from local activists and experts. Your littles will love the Fun Zone which features face-painting, sidewalk chalk drawing, games, arts and crafts, and more.
Irvin Ave., Collingswood, NJ
Cost: free
Turtle Fest
April 20, 9AM – 3PM
Enjoy a pancake breakfast, go on an egg hunt for terrapin eggs, play games and earn prizes. Build crafts and get up close and personal with live turtles, and more. Stop by the aquarium and watch the animals have breakfast too. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Wetlands Institute.
Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd, Stone Harbor, NJ
Cost: $12 Adult, $10 child, $35 family pack of 4
CMC 2019 Earth Day
April 20, 10AM – 4PM
The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders has planned a long list of eco-friendly events for the celebration to be held at the Cape May County Park and Zoo. The day begins with a 5K Earth Day Race and 1 Mile Fun Run. Certificates will be awarded for the top three finishers in each age group in both male and female divisions. T-shirts will also be handed out to the first 150 participants. The pre-registration donation of $20, or $25 the day of the race, will benefit the Cape May County Park and Zoo Trust Fund.
707 Route US 9 N, Cape May Court House, NJ
Cost: pre-registration donation of $20, or $25 the day of the race, spectators are free
Coffee Run! 5K – Fun Walk – Kids Obstacle Course
April 20
Join us for a 5k run or a 1 mile fun walk at RiverWinds Community Complex in West Deptford, NJ. Money raised will go to the Gloucester County Hero Fund. In addition, a kids obstacle course if available for your littles.
Riverwinds Community Complex, West Deptford, NJ
Cost: $15 – $25 for adults, Kids are free
TruckFest
April 20, 11AM – 3PM
Truckfest is an annual event that serves the dual purpose of bringing the Princeton University and town of Princeton communities together to combat hunger in the Princeton and Greater New Jersey Area. The day is full of delicious food trucks, games, live performances, face painting, and music. All proceeds go to the organizations Meals on Wheels and Send Hunger Packing.
Prospect Ave, Princeton, NJ
Cost: TBD
MDA Eats N Beats Food Truck and Music Festival
April 20, 12PM – 6PM
Enjoy live music, food trucks galore, and tons of activities for the family while supporting a great cause. All proceeds benefit The Muscular Dystrophy Association in supporting local families in the area who are fighting the multiple diseases that afflict the muscular system.
Roebling Museum, 100 2nd Ave, Roebling, NJ 08554
Cost: $5 – $25
25th Monmouth County Anniversary Dog Walk + Pet Fair
April 27, 10AM – 3PM
Families, friends and animal lovers can meet their favorite superheroes, enjoy live music by The Wag and food trucks, participate in contests, take group walks around the campus, and meet adorable adoptables. $25 in advance, $30 day of for guests with dogs – $5 entrance fee without a furry friend. All proceeds from this event will feed and care for the many animals that come to the Monmouth County SPCA.
Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ
Cost: $5 – $30
Morristown Annual Spring Clean Up
April 27, 9AM – 12PM (Rain Date April 28)
Go green or go home. Join Morristown Beautiful, Inc. this Earth Day in a community-wide initiative to clean up Morristown’s parks, playgrounds, lots, and roadways. The nonprofit is dedicated to keeping Morristown clean and green through environmental protection, education, and litter abatement programs. Registration (and breakfast treats) begins at 9AM at the Morristown Municipal Building, all ages are welcome.
Morristown Municipal Building, 200 South Street, Morristown, NJ
Cost: free
Bark For Life of Central NJ
April 27, 12PM – 3PM
The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and move closer to a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Enjoy the walk, contests, and games.
Mannino Park Dr, Old Bridge, NJ
Cost: free to spectate, donations suggested
Step Up for The Arc Walk & 5K
April 27, 9AM – 12PM
Step up for The Arc and race to the finish line at our annual Walk & 5K fundraiser. Your involvement supports over 1,600 individuals in Monmouth County with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Stick around for the after party with live music, tons of food, and games to play.
The Headliner, 1401 NJ-35 Neptune, NJ
Cost: free
Seashore Gardens 5K Run & HealthWalk
April 28, 9AM
The 9th Annual Seashore Gardens 5K Run, Health Walk & 7K Run is a great opportunity to give back with your family and get your heart rate growing. Net proceeds from this event will benefit the Alzheimer’s/dementia services of Seashore Gardens Living Center, an independent nonprofit Home for the Aged.
Atlantic City Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: $30
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
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#NJMOM Hack: Every Kid in a Park Program
Kip’s Castle Park in Verona, #NJMOM Adventure
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Top Romantic Getaways in New Jersey
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