It’s the season of giving, and that means parents have a lot of opportunities to give back. Want to get your kids involved in volunteering?
They’ll probably enjoy the opportunity to participate in hands-on service—kids like to help others. Plus, it gives you some good “teaching moment” opportunities.
Here are a few local opportunities where your kids can pitch in, too!
Neptune City, NJ
732.775.1140
Teens can help out with this organization to clear out the thrift store and organize goods. Younger kids may want to organize programs to collect new toys and clothes for approximately 600 children they help during the holidays.
Spring Lake, NJ
732.546.8805
Kids can help out at adoption events and fundraisers with this animal rescue and shelter. Check out all their volunteer opportunities, which also include walking and socializing dogs, as well as fostering an animal. They have several events in January at Pet Supplies Plus in Wall; Hungry Puppy in Farmingdale; PetSmart in Manalapan, Brick and Ocean; Pet Valu in Jackson; PetSmart in Ocean, Georgies Bar in Asbury Park; and for Strut Your Mutt at Arbor Terrace in Middletown.
The Oceans Family Success Center
Asbury Park, NJ
732.455.5272
During the holidays, the center is looking for donations of new coloring books. The center has two playrooms that kids can use with their parent or guardian’s supervision, and they always need toys for kids to play with. Toys can be dropped off year-round at the center, which is located at 1201 Springwood Avenue Unit 105 in Asbury Park. To coordinate a donation, call 732-455-5272. They also need help decorating around the office, and welcome artists to help with coloring projects. Call the same number to coordinate a coloring trip!
Neptune, NJ
877.391.5732
The center is holding a Thanksgiving food drive for 25 families in our community through Nov. 19. Kids can do their own food drives for the families. Food—traditional holiday meal must-haves—will go out to families on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day at 5:30 p.m., they are hosting a Thanksgiving Community Dinner at Trinity Church, which is at 503 Asbury Ave. in Asbury Park NJ. They will feed about 300 people, and give away coats. On Saturday, Dec. 15, they will have their annual Christmas Toy Shoppe at the Shore Center at 1710 Columbus Ave. in Neptune, NJ from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. They will have refreshments, disperse toys to families in the programs, and run crafts. They can use help the day before with decorating. Also, kids could host a drive to collect items for the day.
Neptune, NJ and Toms River, NJ
732.918.2600
The food bank always needs volunteers; kids must be over 13 to work at the facilities in Neptune and Toms River. Younger kids can host food drives to collect food.
Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity
Toms River, NJ
732.818.9500
Kids can make holiday cards for people the group helps, created birdhouses for homeowners, host a drive for small kitchen appliances for the ReStore, write thank-you cards to volunteers. People must be over 18 to volunteer at the Restore or on a construction site
Let's grow this list so more kids have the opportunity to make positive contributions in our communities! Know an organization that can use assistance, or are you part of one? Email suggestions or send on details of your volunteer opportunities for kids to kristenfischer@macaronikid.com.
(I’m hoping to expand this list for the 2018/2019 holiday season, and perhaps turn it into an ongoing feature here so parents can get their kids involved in helping throughout the year!)
